Tacos de Jamaica

Hibiscus flowers make for a delicious taco filling and this tacos de jamaica recipe is a great example of that. Ready to welcome a new favorite into your menu? 

this recipe

Tacos de jamaica are tacos made with a filling consisting of hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers, known as flor de jamaica in Spanish, are used to create a meatless and flavorful taco filling, particularly popular in Mexican cuisine.

I usually make those tacos with the leftover flowers from my agua de jamaica recipe, is just a way to repurpose food deliciously and creatively!

They’re also very easy to make because you just need to sauté the soaked flowers with a few spices and veggies then you’ll have a nutritious, low-calorie, and delicious filling to tuck into warm tortillas.

Ingredients

• Dried hibiscus flowers: This is the main ingredient. Usually, dried hibiscus flowers are used for teas and drinks. But when they’re cooked with water, they will take on a soft, meat-like texture, so you can make tacos and other dishes with it. 
• Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas will work well for this recipe. If you can, get them nice and fresh so the flavor can be a bit more intense.
• Tomato: Tomatoes will add a lot of flavor to the hibiscus flowers and it will also make them juicier. Ripe tomatoes will make the taste richer.
• Onion: Of course, onions are a part of this recipe because they bring texture and a sweet balance to the filling. 
• Chipotle en adobo: Chipotle is a jalapeno chile and the adobo is a flavorful sauce made with spices and tomato. Chipotle in adobo will make the flavors more complex and elevate the taste of this taco filling. 
• Cumin: This is a great spice because the flavor profile is great. It’s kind of nutty, slightly sweet, and earthy. It’s also warming and savory. 
• Salt and pepper: As always, salt and pepper to taste is a must. They always make the food more intense in flavor and add a tiny bit of heat. 

How to Make Tacos de Jamaica

Give a quick rinse to the hibiscus flowers and place them into a saucepan along with 3-4 cups of water.

Bring to a boil and cook the flowers for 5 minutes or until nicely soft. Turn off the heat and allow the flowers to soak in hot water for at least 10 minutes.

Top Tip: Don’t throw away the cooking water! Use it to make cocktails or teas.

Once the hibiscus flowers are nicely soft, remove them and place them in a strainer pressing down with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 1-2 minutes, then add tomatoes, chipotle en adobo peppers, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Mix in hibiscus flowers and cook for 3-4 minutes or until everything is nicely flavored. Adjust seasonings to taste and turn off the heat.

Warm your tortillas in a pan or comal. Place a tortilla flat on a plate and add some hibiscus mixture in the middle.

Followed by pico de gallo, diced avocado, and finished with a sprinkle of queso fresco or your favorite cheese.

Serve your tacos de jamaica with your favorite drink. I recommend trying on one of our refreshing aguas frescas.

Tips & Notes

• Don’t skip rinsing the dried hibiscus flowers! They might have a bit of dirt or dust on them from the garden or market. A quick rinse in some water helps to clean them up, making sure you’re using the freshest, cleanest petals for this recipe.
• Make sure you don’t overcook the hibiscus flowers, as they might become too stringy.
• Season the hibiscus mixture with your preferred spices. Besides the one I suggest, you can also add oregano, minced garlic, or even a touch of chili powder to add depth and a little kick.

Toppings Suggestions

Hibiscus flowers have a strong tangy and tart flavor, that’s why I recommend toppings that balance that tanginess on those tacos de jamaica.

• Avocado: Diced avocado will add a bit of green, as well as creaminess and mild flavor to balance things out. 
• Queso fresco: This semisoft cheese is a must for tacos and it adds a slightly tangy flavor. You can substitute this with any other cheese you like or have at hand. 
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream can add even more richness to these tacos de jamaica and it brings a nice fatty flavor that will go well with the tarty hibiscus flower filling. 
• Salsa: Add some spiciness to this recipe using your favorite salsa, tray classic pico de gallo, or this creamy jalapeño salsa.

More Taco Recipes

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