Best Fish Taco Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

This recipe for fish tacos is seriously the best! Tender, flaky fish is seasoned with a smoky seasoning and drizzled with a delicious creamy citrus chipotle taco sauce! These healthy fish tacos are high in lean protein and low in calories -- the whole family will love them!

This is the Best Fish Taco Recipe

Great Flavors! The fish is perfectly seasoned using a blend of spices such as smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can add more chili powder if you want it spicier, and be sure to make the homemade taco sauce for the most delicious taco!

Homemade Sauce. The homemade taco sauce is a creamy, spicy, citrusy sauce that pairs well with fish or shrimp tacos. Sour cream, mayo, lime, sriracha, chipotle seasoning, and garlic are all mixed together and then drizzled over each taco for an umami flavor experience!

Healthy. Fish tacos are healthy because they are high in lean protein, low carb, gluten-free, and are loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals! Make any small adjustments, use low-fat sour cream or mayonnaise, and use carb-smart tortillas to reduce the amount of carbs.

Fish Taco Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this fish tacos recipe:

Best Fish for Fish Tacos

The best fish for fish tacos is a mild, firm, yet flaky fish. Mahi mahi, cod halibut, tilapia, and haddock are my favorites to use.

Fish Taco Seasoning

Making your own fish taco seasoning is super simple; we used the following ingredients, but you can also use a taco seasoning blend or a pre-made seasoning.

• Smoked Paprika: this spice gives your fish a bit of a smoky flavor, which compliments the spicy components very nicely!
• Chili Powder: add more or less chili powder for how spicy you want your seasoning to be
• Cumin: commonly found in Mexican dishes for its distinctive flavor. It can come in seed form or ground; you can choose either variety. However, I prefer ground in a seasoning rub.
• Garlic Powder: be sure to use garlic powder vs. garlic salt. You could use garlic salt, but be sure to omit the kosher salt to prevent it from being overly salted.
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Olive Oil: or any cooking oil you prefer to use!

Homemade Taco Sauce

Homemade taco sauce is one of the most delicious parts of this recipe. There are only a few simple ingredients, and you can adjust the spice level to your tastes by increasing the chipotle seasoning.

• Sour Cream: use full-fat or fat-free; you can also use plain Greek yogurt for extra protein and to make it a little healthier.
• Mayonnaise: use full fat or reduced fat or any other varieties such as made with olive oil etc.
• Water: to dilute it to the right consistency
• Lime: you will need at least one lime; half is used in the sauce, and the other half is cut into wedges. Purchase an additional lime if you want more wedges for serving.
• Minced Garlic: mince your own garlic cloves or use store-bought pre-minced garlic to save time.
• Chipotle or Sriracha Sauce: you can use one chipotle adobo pepper in adobo sauce and finely diced. Add more or less sriracha for your desired heat level.
• Chipotle Seasoning: start with one teaspoon of seasoning and add additional to taste for your desired heat level.
• Salt and Pepper

Slaw for Fish Tacos

To make a slaw for fish tacos you can simply toss half of the homemade taco sauce in this recipe with thinly shredded cabbage. Or, you can make this Mexican slaw recipe with cabbage, radishes, green onion, and a wonderful creamy tangy slaw dressing.

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How To Make Fish Tacos

Here's a general overview of making fish tacos, be sure to visit the recipe card for full instructions. Enjoy!

1. Mix together the fish seasoning and sprinkle over the fish.

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2. Pan-sear each side of the fish until done.

3. Make the taco sauce and prep any additional toppings.

4. Assemble the tacos.

How To Serve This Recipe For Fish Tacos

Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve immediately in warmed corn or flour tortillas. Garnish with cojita cheese, chopped cilantro, and fresh diced onion. Serve with extra slices of lime wedges.

Fish Taco Toppings

What are the best toppings for fish tacos? Here are some of my favorites:

• Cabbage, either red or green, thinly shredded and mixed with the taco sauce, makes a quick creamy slaw.
• Avocado thinly sliced, fresh cilantro, optional toppings such as queso fresco, and sliced or diced fresh onion.
• Mild fruit salsa is a great combination with fresh fish tacos.
• Use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt if you don't want to make the homemade taco sauce.
• Lime wedges to add extra lime juice over your tacos.
• Thinly sliced radishes add a little spice and freshness.
• Fresh cilantro
• Queso fresco or other crumbly cheeses.
• Red or white Onion
• Lime or sour orange will your tacos a tangy brightness.
• Diced fruit such as mango, pineapple, passionfruit, or peaches will give your tacos a tropical twist.
  

Best Sauce for Fish Tacos

The best sauce for fish tacos is one that has a creamy base with a slightly smoky, spicy, citrus flavor as it compliments the seasoning on the fish and the fish itself. Start with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, and add fresh lime juice, garlic, chipotle, or sriracha sauce(adjust for heat) and chipotle seasoning, salt, and pepper. Adjust any seasoning to your desired taste.

Our Favorite Sides For Fish Tacos

• Best Red Pickled Onions
• The Best Refried Beans
• Mango Peach Salsa
• Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
• Mexican Coleslaw
• Mexican Street Corn Salad with Frozen Corn

Tips For Storing and Reheating The Best Fish Tacos

I highly recommend storing every component of this fish taco recipe separately for the best result. For example, store the fish by itself, taco sauce, and quick slaw, and then the toppings all separate. All ingredients should last if stored in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

You can reheat your fish on a microwave-safe plate on low in 15 to 30-second increments until heated through. You can also reheat in a skillet on the stove until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

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