Hibiscus Tacos (Vegan Tacos de Jamaica)

Name: Hibiscus Tacos (Vegan Tacos de Jamaica)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers (aim for whole flowers, not cut, 165 g); 1 medium white onion (divided); ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro; 1 lime (juiced); 1 Tbsp oil (15 mL); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 Tbsp chipotle sauce (from a jar of adobo peppers); ½ tsp each salt and pepper; 6 small tortillas (use corn tortillas for gluten-free option); Optional toppings: pineapple, jalapeno, avocado, sour cream

By Sarah Bond, BS Nutrition, MS Sensory Science, Updated Dec 19, 2024

5 from 3 ratings

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30 minutes

Serves 3 servings

3 Comments

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Hibiscus taco with shredded filling, avocado slices, jalapeños, and cilantro on a tortilla, surrounded by bowls of ingredients on a yellow background.

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Switch things up this Taco Tuesday by trying hibiscus tacos! Otherwise known as tacos de Jamaica, they feature flowers from the hibiscus plant. This recipe is a fun way to make vegan tacos that have an amazing texture and can be flavored with any spice you add!

A hibiscus taco on a wooden plate alongside a bowl of onion and cilantro relish and one lime slice

Tacos Made With… Flowers?!

Even if you call yourself a true taco connoisseur, I bet there is one type you likely haven’t tried—hibiscus tacos! Yup, we’re using the actual flowers from the hibiscus plant to make these tasty, tropical tacos de Jamaica.

The best part? Once cooked, hibiscus flowers lose their tart taste and take on a chewy, meaty texture. This recipe is an awesome vegan option and is the perfect way to repurpose leftovers.

Reader rating

★★★★★

“Yum! Love the texture of that Hibiscus flower, very meaty. Textures and flavors and spices all came together quite nice. Definitely a great summer taco.” —Kari

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Two hibiscus tacos assembled on a wooden plate

Grab These Ingredients

Jamaica tacos are made with budget-friendly, easy-to-find ingredients. Jump to the recipe for the full instructions and measurements!

Hibiscus Flowers: First, you’ll need 2 cups of dried hibiscus flowers. Aim for whole flowers, not cut pieces. I have the best luck finding these online.
Savory Base: Next, grab a medium white onion and some cloves of garlic. The garlic and half of the onions will infuse the hibiscus filling with flavor, and the other half of the onions will be used in the fresh relish.
Cilantro: ½ cup of finely chopped, fresh cilantro will add a great herby flavor to the tacos.
Lime: The juice of 1 lime will add a nice tangy touch!
Chipotle Sauce: We’ll use the sauce from a jar (or can) of chipotles in adobo! This adds the perfect amount of heat and smokiness.
Tortillas: Serve your tacos in 6 small tortillas. You can use flour tortillas (or corn tortillas if you’re looking for a gluten-free option).
Optional Toppings: Serve your hibiscus tacos with your favorites like pineapple, jalapeños, avocado, and sour cream.

Everything Is Ready In Five Steps

Step 1: Cook The Hibiscus
Combine the hibiscus and 8 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil, partially cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Strain out the hibiscus, saving the water for another use.

A white plate filled with dried hibiscus flower pieces — Boiling the flowers like this removes their sour taste, so we’re left with the meaty texture of the fibrous flowers.

Step 2: Create The Relish
While the hibiscus boils, finely dice the onion and set half aside. In a small bowl, combine the other half of the onion with the cilantro and lime juice.

A clear glass bowl filled with chopped cilantro, chopped onion, and half of a lime. — This relish transforms the tacos—don’t skip it!

Step 3: Rinse The Hibiscus
Next, rinse the hibiscus under hot water until the water runs clear.

A strainer filled with boiled hibiscus pieces — Drain the flowers well, squeezing out as much moisture as possible.

Step 4: Sauté The Filling
Heat the oil over medium in a large sauté pan. Add the hibiscus, reserved onion, and garlic, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the chipotle sauce, salt, and pepper, and continue cooking.

A skillet filled with boiled hibiscus pieces, chopped white onion, and minced garlic — The initial sauté step should take about 5 minutes, and the filling is done when the hibiscus is slightly charred at the edges.

Step 5: Serve The Tacos
To serve your hibiscus tacos, heat the tortillas on the stove or microwave. Spoon the hibiscus filling into each one, then top with the cilantro relish.

A taco shell filled with hibiscus taco fillings and surrounded by more tacos, half an avocado, jalapeño slices, and other ingredients — Add optional toppings like chopped pineapple, sliced jalapeño, avocado, or sour cream.

How To Use Leftover Concentrate

Repurposing leftover hibiscus tea for another recipe? If so, it’s important to note that this tea is quite concentrated when first brewed, resulting in a strong flavor that can be too intense for some dishes.

To make it suitable for cooking, you’ll want to dilute the tea with more water until it reaches your preferred level of tartness. Start by adding water gradually and tasting as you go!

A close up view detailing the texture of hibiscus tacos

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