I鈥檓 always on a mission to find quick, family-friendly ways to add more seafood to my diet. And what better way to introduce the kids to mild, flaky whitefish than to season it with familiar spices and wrap it in a warm corn tortilla? Fish tacos are one of my forite taco recipes because they can be made with almost any fish and garnishes. Set out all the toppings and let everyone in the family customize their own meal.
The fish is tender and perfectly seasoned, but it鈥檚 the slaw that really makes this fish taco recipe shine. The slaw veggies add a fresh crunch to the soft corn tortillas, while the sour cream and lime dressing doubles as a creamy sauce. It鈥檚 so good that you might want to double the dressing and serve it on the side! Put it all together and you鈥檒l he a meal that makes you feel like you鈥檙e on vacation in the sunny Baja peninsula (margaritas optional)!
Ingredients for Fish Tacos Fish: We use tilapia in this recipe, but any white fish works for fish tacos. You could also use cod, halibut, mahi mahi or snapper. Fish seasoning: The fish gets its zesty flor from a seasoned flour made with all-purpose flour, taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Canola oil:聽I recommend using canola oil (one of the best oils for frying). It has a high smoke point and neutral taste. With the higher heat, it will give the exterior of the fish a nice crispy crust while keeping the inside of the fish buttery and moist. Corn tortillas: Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for fish tacos, but you can easily substitute flour tortillas. For a really special experience, make corn tortillas from scratch (they鈥檙e much easier to make than you鈥檇 think!). Slaw for fish tacos: We dress coleslaw mix with a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper. Make the slaw first; it tastes better if it has at least 30 minutes for its flors to blend together. Fish taco toppings: Finish this fish taco recipe by adding your forite taco toppings, like sliced ocado, lime wedges, sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, cilantro, crumbled Cotija cheese, thinly sliced radishes, sliced jalapenos and diced red onion. Directions Step 1: Make the slaw
TASTE OF HOME
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper until combined. Stir in the coleslaw mix. Cover and refrigerate the slaw for at least 30 minutes.
Editor鈥檚 Tip:聽Allow enough time for the slaw to sit and marinate. The dressing will be thick initially, but it will become thinner as the cabbage releases liquid.
Step 2: Cook the fish
TASTE OF HOME
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the fish, and lightly coat it on each side.
TASTE OF HOME
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off the excess coating, and place the fish in the skillet. Cook until the fish is lightly browned, two to three minutes per side.
TASTE OF HOME
Once cooked, flake the fish into chunks.
Editor鈥檚 Tip:聽Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, or the fish will steam instead of crisp up around the edges. You may need to cook the fish in batches.
Step 3: Warm the tortillas
TASTE OF HOME
Toast the corn tortillas in a dry hot skillet until they鈥檙e lightly browned, one to two minutes per side.
Editor鈥檚 Tip: For a more hands-off way to warm corn tortillas, wrap them in foil in stacks of five and cook them in a 350掳F oven for 10 to 15 minutes (or until they鈥檙e heated through).
Step 4: Assemble the fish tacos
TASTE OF HOME
Fill each tortilla with tilapia and top it with slaw. Add optional toppings, if desired. Serve the fish tacos immediately.
TASTE OF HOME
Store each of the taco components in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. The slaw and most taco toppings will last for up to four days. Cooked fish will last three to four days.
Can you make fish tacos ahead of time?We don鈥檛 recommend making the fish for fish tacos ahead of time, as it tastes best fresh out of the skillet. However, the slaw can be made up to four days ahead. The cabbage will release water as it sits in the fridge, so drain any excess liquid before serving.
Fish Tacos Tips
TASTE OF HOME
White fish is generally considered the best fish for fish tacos, but there鈥檚 always an exception to the rule (salmon tacos are always delicious!). Tilapia is inexpensive and relatively easy to find, but feel free to swap in a different white fish to make mahi mahi tacos, halibut fish tacos or cod tacos.
How do you know when the fish is finished cooking for fish tacos?The best way to tell if fish is finished cooking is to gently prod it with a fork at its thickest part. When it鈥檚 done cooking, the fish should flake easily and appear opaque.
Are fish tacos healthy?This fish taco recipe is a healthier alternative to fried fish taco recipes. Instead of breading and deep-frying the fish, we lightly pan-sear the tilapia in just enough oil to keep it from sticking to the pan. The taco toppings used will also affect the nutrition content of fish tacos, so it鈥檚 always a good idea to choose fresh vegetable options like radishes, onions or diced tomatoes. If desired, you can lighten up the slaw dressing by swapping in low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
What do you serve with fish tacos?Load the fish tacos with your forite taco toppings and serve them with Tex-Mex side dishes like southwestern rice, refried beans or esquites. Tortilla chips and dipping sauces like homemade guacamole, queso dip or homemade salsa recipes are always good options, too.
Watch How to Make Fish Tacos with Slaw