• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Vegan Heaven

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Going Vegan
  • About
    • About Me
    • Impressum
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • Yaki Udon
    • a hand dipping tortilla chips in a bowl with vegan nacho cheese
      Vegan Nacho Cheese
    • a hand holding a white bowl of sweet potato curry with rice over a wooden board
      Sweet Potato Curry
    • a grey plate with black bean pasta with bell pepper, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro on a wooden board
      Black Bean Pasta
    • yellow curry with bell pepper and carrots over brown rice in a grey bowl
      Yellow Curry
    • a blue and white bowl with millet porridge with a spoon with a pear and a cup of coffee in the background
      Millet Porridge
    • turmeric energy balls in a blue bowl with a glass of smoothie in the background
      Ginger Turmeric Energy Balls
    • a cast iron skillet with pasta with bell pepper on a white wooden board
      Vegan Pasta Rasta
    • Vegan Lentil Soup in two white and brown pots on a marble counter top with a spoon and bread on the side
      Vegan Lentil Soup
    • Vegan Parmesan cheese in a glass jar with a white spoon on a wooden board
      Vegan Parmesan Cheese
    • vegan dal with rice in a white bowl with a spoon on a marble countertop
      Red Lentil Dal
    • a pot with one pot pasta with leek and tofu on a marble countertop
      One Pot Pasta with Leek and Smoked Tofu

    Vegan Birria Tacos

    Published: Aug 15, 2022 by Sina · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    six birria tacos on a wooden board with a text overlay

    These vegan birria tacos are the perfect comfort food! They are perfectly spicy, juicy, cheesy, and just so delicious! 

    six birria tacos on a wooden board with limes in the background

    Why This Recipe Works 

    We can’t get enough of these vegan birria tacos! They are spicy and super savory and perfect for everyone who loves Mexican (or Mexican-inspired) food. 

    For those of you who haven’t heard of birria yet: it’s a Mexican meat stew that is made with adobo chili peppers, garlic, bay leaves, and cumin. Traditionally, the recipe calls for goat meat.

    But there are also other versions using beef, lamb, or sheep. It’s slowly cooked until the meat is tender and falls apart like pulled pork.  

    And of course it’s also possible to make a vegan version! Canned young jackfruit is the perfect meat replacement in this recipe. 

    Traditionally it’s served with corn tortillas, but over the last years quesabirria has become super popular, especially in the U.S. It’s basically tacos with birria and melted cheese. Before pan-frying the tacos, you dip them in the birria sauce, so they become a bit red, which also gave them the name “red tacos”. 

    I love to serve them with lime and cilantro. And for extra flavor, you can dip them in guacamole or chipotle mayo. 

    What Goes Into This Recipe 

    the ingredients that go into this recipe on a marble countertop

    • Jackfruit – you need young green jackfruit in brine or water for this recipe. Don’t use canned jackfruit in syrup! 
    • Tortillas –  small, soft tortillas. 
    • Tomatoes – canned diced tomatoes. 
    • Onion – two white onions. 
    • Garlic – five cloves of garlic. 
    • Chipotle Chilis in Adobo Sauce – I used three chilis and the birria turned out spicy, but not super spicy. Adjust the amount to your personal liking. 
    • Maple Syrup
    • Spices – I used cumin, cinnamon, oregano, allspice, smoked paprika powder, and bay leaves.
    • Vegetable Broth Powder – I added one teaspoon for extra flavor. 
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Shredded Vegan Cheese – use your favorite brand. It should melt well. 
    • Liquid Smoke – it gives the jackfruit a smokey taste. I usually order it online. It lasts forever! 
    • Lime & Cilantro – to garnish. 

    How To Make This Recipe 

    a collage of four photos that show how to make this recipe

    1. Step: Finely chop the onion and the garlic. 

    2. Step: Heat some oil in a large pan, and sauté the onion and the garlic for about 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Deglaze with the apple cider vinegar and cook for 1 more minute. 

    3. Step: Then add the spices and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Stir often. Finely chop the chipotle chilis. 

    4. Step: Drain the jackfruit and add it to the pan together with canned diced tomatoes, the liquid smoke, the vegetable broth powder, the maple syrup, and the chopped chilis. 

    a collage of four photos that show how to make this recipe

    5. Step: Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. 

    6. Step: Shred the jackfruit with a fork or a wooden spoon. It should be very easy to shred after the 15 minutes of cooking time. 

    7. Step: Dip the tortillas in the sauce, so the outside is stained red by the sauce. This might get a bit messy. Then fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the birria and 2 tablespoons of vegan shredded cheese. Flip one side over. 

    8. Step: Heat a large pan over high heat without oil. Pan-fry the tacos for about 2 minutes on one side. Then carefully flip them and pan-fry for another minute. 

    Recipe Notes 

    • Make sure to use canned young jackfruit for this recipe. The vegan birria tacos do not work with jackfruit in syrup as it has a totally different taste and structure. 
    • For even more flavor you can make the birria in a slow cooker. Follow step 1-3 as stated in the recipe instructions and then cook it for 6 hours on low. The flavor will be more intense this way.
    • I love to dip the tacos into guacamole, salsa, or chipotle mayo. Also squeeze a bit of lime juice over them before serving them. 

    six vegan birria tacos on a wooden board with one taco missing a bite

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How Long Do The Tacos Last? 

    Stored in the fridge in an airtight container, the vegan birria tacos will last up to 3 days. They will become a bit soft and soggy. Reheat them in a hot pan so they become crispy again. 

    Can You Make This Recipe Ahead? 

    Yes, you can make the birria ahead and then assemble the tacos later on before serving them. Just cook the birria and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. 

    Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last 3-4 days. 

    Related Recipes 

    • Jackfruit Tacos 
    • Tofu Tacos 
    • Vegan Cauliflower Tacos 
    • Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat 
    • 38 Vegan Mexican Recipes 
    • 16 Drool-Worthy Vegan Tacos 

    I Love To Hear From You! 

    I hope you like these vegan birria tacos as much as we do around here.

    If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to know what you think about it. Just leave me a comment and a star rating below. Your comments really make my day!

    You like my recipes and want to see more? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest! 

    Sina

    six birria tacos on a wooden board with limes in the background

    Vegan Birria Tacos

    These vegan birria tacos are the perfect comfort food! They are perfectly spicy, juicy, cheesy, and just so delicious! 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrées
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 12 tacos
    Calories: 187kcal
    Author: Sina

    Ingredients

    • 12 soft tortillas
    • 2 cans young jackfruit
    • 3 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce
    • 1 can diced tomatoes
    • 2 onions, finely chopped
    • 5 cloves of garlic
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons oregano
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 pinch allspice
    • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
    • 1 splash liquid smoke
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable broth powder
    • 1 cup vegan shredded cheese
    • 1 lime
    • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    • Finely chop the onion and the garlic. 
    • Heat some oil in a large pan, and sauté the onion and the garlic for about 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Deglaze with the apple cider vinegar and cook for 1 more minute. 
    • Then add the spices and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Stir often. Finely chop the chipotle chilis. 
    • Drain the jackfruit and add it to the pan together with canned diced tomatoes, the liquid smoke, the vegetable broth powder, the maple syrup, and the chopped chilis. 
    • Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. 
    • Shred the jackfruit with a fork or a wooden spoon. It should be very easy to shred after the 15 minutes of cooking time. 
    • Dip the tortillas in the sauce, so the outside is stained red by the sauce. This might get a bit messy. Then fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the birria and 2 tablespoons of vegan shredded cheese. Flip one side over. 
    • Heat a large pan over high heat without oil. Pan-fry the tacos for about 2 minutes on one side. Then carefully flip them and pan-fry for another minute. 

    Notes

    • Make sure to use canned young jackfruit for this recipe. The vegan birria tacos do not work with jackfruit in syrup as it has a totally different taste and structure. 
    • For even more flavor you can make the birria in a slow cooker. Follow step 1-3 as stated in the recipe instructions and then cook it for 6 hours on low. The flavor will be more intense this way.
    • I love to dip the tacos into guacamole, salsa, or chipotle mayo. Also squeeze a bit of lime juice over them before serving them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @_veganheaven_ or tag #veganheaven!
    Rate the recipe!If you like this recipe, please leave a good rating! This will help other readers.

    More Recipes

    • a cast iron pan with Tuscan pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach on a white wooden board
      Vegan Tuscan Pasta
    • vegetable biryani in a white pan on a wooden board with parsley and mint in the background
      Vegetable Biryani
    • five vegan zucchini bread slices on a marble counter top with more zucchini bread on a wooden board in the background and chocolate chips on the side
      Vegan Zucchini Bread
    • a white bowl with green bean salad with tomatoes and kidney beans on a wooden board
      Green Bean Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
    Sina-Veganheaven

    Hi, I'm Sina and this is my recipe blog where I share heavenly simple and sinfully delicious vegan recipes.

    Popular Recipes

    • Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach
      Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach (One Pot)
    • One Pan Mexican Quinoa in a black pot on a white wooden countertop with limes and parsley on the side
      One Pan Mexican Quinoa
    • a hand eating roasted chickpeas out of a small white bowl on a marble counter top
      Roasted Chickpeas
    • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
      Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
    • Vegan meatballs with Spaghetti
      Vegan Meatballs with Spaghetti
    • Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta (Asian Style)
      Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta (Asian Style)

    Grilling

    • six grilled vegetable kabobs on a white plate on a marble countertop sprinkled with fresh herbs
      Vegetable Kabobs
    • Black Bean Patties (Vegan & Grillable)
      Vegan Black Bean Burgers (Grillable!)
    • Vegan Potato Salad with Pickles in a Bowl
      Vegan Potato Salad
    • a hand dipping a piece of bread into a bowl of vegan dip
      Creamy Vegan Dip with Dates
    • two tofu vegetables skewers with pineapple and red bell pepper on a plate with brown rice
      Tofu Vegetable Skewers
    • a stack of lentil burgers on a white plate with a bowl of salad in the background
      Lentil Burgers
    Sina Weber, Blogger

    About Sina

    As a mom of twins, I know how busy life can be. So if you're looking for easy and quick vegan recipes the whole family loves, this is the right place for you!

    Learn more about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach
      Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach (One Pot)
    • One Pan Mexican Quinoa in a black pot on a white wooden countertop with limes and parsley on the side
      One Pan Mexican Quinoa
    • a hand eating roasted chickpeas out of a small white bowl on a marble counter top
      Roasted Chickpeas
    • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
      Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
    • Vegan meatballs with Spaghetti
      Vegan Meatballs with Spaghetti
    • Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta (Asian Style)
      Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta (Asian Style)

    Healthy Recipes

    • Greek Pasta Salad in a Bowl with a Salad Server
      Greek Pasta Salad with Easy Greek Vinaigrette
    • a white bowl with quinoa black bean salad on a marble countertop with limes in the background
      Quinoa Black Bean Salad
    • a grey bowl with brown rice, lettuce, guacamole, and sofritas with a fork
      Sofritas
    • Chickpea Salad in a white bowl with a wooden spoon and two lemons in the background
      Vegan Chickpea Salad
    • Vegan Pad Thai on a white plate with limes in the background and a hand picking up some noodles with chop sticks
      Vegan Pad Thai
    • Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry with Potatoes
      Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry

    Footer

    Impressum/Legal Notice
    Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter

    Affiliate Disclaimer:

    Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and actually decide to buy it, I’ll receive a small percentage of the total price - of course this does not cause any extra costs for you. I only recommend products that I personally love and use regularly.

    Copyright © 2025 by Vegan Heaven · Privacy Policy