Our all-time favorite Fish Tacos recipe! These are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. Don’t forget to try the best fish taco sauce—a garlic lime crema that you’ll want on all of your tacos!
We always make this recipe when we have family or friends over because it’s easy to make and everyone loves it. These fish tacos are so tasty and filling, but they will also make you feel light and healthy afterward.
This recipe is party sized and can be scaled down to feed a smaller crowd. My brother-in-law Slavik came up with it, and now almost everyone in our family uses it. So many people have asked me to share the recipe, so here it is! It’s an easy and delicious fish taco recipe. Thank you Slavik for sharing your awesome fish tacos with us. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to ever get tired of this recipe. P. S. They just happen to be gluten free fish tacos!.
Really, though, use a lot of that fish taco sauce! I got the sauce recipe from Kaylee on All Recipes. We simply doubled it because there never seems to be enough of the sauce ;).
Fish tacos are one of those dishes that seems deceptively simple – just throw some fish in a tortilla with your favorite toppings, right? But having truly amazing fish tacos depends a lot on choosing the right type of fish. The fish makes up the star of the show, so you want something with great flavor that will hold up during cooking.
As taco aficionados here at The Taco Quest, we’ve experimented with different fish varieties to find the best ones for both fried and grilled fish tacos. In this article, we’ll share our tips and recommendations to help you pick the perfect catch for tacos every time. Let’s get started!
Mild White Fish – Great for Grilled or Fried Tacos
When you think of classic Baja-style fish tacos, the likely filling is a mild white fish. Varieties like snapper, mahi mahi, halibut, cod, and grouper have a delicate, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with both grilling and frying. The mild taste also allows the spices, toppings, and salsa to take center stage.
For sustainability, opt for wild-caught local fish when possible. White fish is often expensive, so keep toppings simple to let the fish shine. Our favorites shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado slices, and a spritz of lime
Pro Tip These fish stick easily when grilling, Use a grilling basket and brush with oil to prevent sticking
Heartier Fish – Bold Flavors for Tacos
Fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, swordfish, and trout have a meatier texture and more pronouced flavor. Their hearty taste means they can stand up well to spicy rubs, marinades, and char from grilling or broiling.
For salmon tacos, we love a chipotle-lime seasoning. Brush tuna or swordfish with a teriyaki glaze before broiling. Top any of these fish with avocado, pickled vegetables, or a vibrant salsa.
Pro Tip Watch carefully so these fatty fish don’t overcook and dry out, Cook just until opaque in center
Budget-Friendly Farmed Fish
The most affordable and widely available fish like tilapia, swai, and catfish are common ingredients in tacos from restaurants and food trucks. Their mild taste benefits from lots of flavorful seasonings and toppings.
Fry tilapia or catfish in a crispy beer batter, then top with coleslaw and chipotle mayo for delicious results. Or rub with taco seasoning and quickly grill. Top with fresh pico de gallo and cotija cheese.
Pro Tip: Brining first helps minimize any “muddy” flavors. Soak fillets in salted water for 20 minutes before cooking.
Shellfish for Tacos? Absolutely!
You can move beyond just finfish for amazing tacos. Shrimp, lobster, crab and other shellfish are fantastic taco fillings. Simply sauté shrimp with chili powder and lime. Sizzle lump crabmeat with butter and cumin. Or mix shrimp with mayo, chili powder and lime juice for easy shrimp salad tacos.
Pro Tip: Chop shellfish into small pieces so they’re easier to eat in tacos. Allow about 4 ounces of chopped shellfish per 3 tacos.
Mix It Up! Use 2 Fish for Tacos
Can’t decide between fish varieties? You don’t have to! Mix and match two types of fish in one taco for more depth of flavor. Some tasty combinations:
- Salmon and shrimp
- Cod and lump crabmeat
- Mahi mahi and grilled octopus
- Tuna and grilled scallops
Get creative with combinations of fish, shellfish and even seafood like squid or mussels. The sea’s the limit!
What’s your go-to fish for tacos? Share your recipes and tips in the comments!
Ingredients for Fish Tacos:
We used tilapia but you are welcome to use any white fish. Salmon or shrimp would be amazing as well!.
Ingredients for Best Fish Taco Sauce:
For the fish taco sauce, all you need is sour cream, mayo, lime juice, garlic powder and sriracha. The sriracha adds a little heat, and you can change how much you use based on your taste. You can think of this taco sauce as a lime crema. It has just the right amount of sourness and heat (print the recipe below).
Ultimate Fish Tacos Recipe | Fresh, Easy, and Delicious!
What fish should I use for fish tacos?
Again, cod and tilapia are good choices, but you can also use fattier fish like tuna, salmon, and swordfish. Halibut is also a good grilling option, as it has a steak-like quality (as opposed to flaky). Whether you are making Baja-style or not, there is no reason to buy pricy fish for fish tacos.
Is taco salad healthy to eat?
Taco is a Mexican dish consisting of rolled tortilla filled with various mixtures like seasoned minced chicken or beans. Taco salad is very healthy its high in protein and fiber as it is topped with cheese, nuts, sprouts or legumes and dressed with oil. It form a very light complete meal.
Are fish tacos good?
Fish tacos, really good fish tacos, are probably one of my favorite things to eat in the history of ever. If I spy them on a menu out in the wild, I am 99.3% sure to order them. Turns out, making really amazing fish tacos at home is super easy, really fast, and an incredibly good idea.
Is Cod a good fish for tacos?
Similarly to being the go-to choice for fish and chips, cod is highly preferred in beer-battered fish tacos recipes. In an exclusive interview, Richard Blais gave seafood tips to Tasting Table, mentioning cod and other members of this family of fish are “fantastic fish to fry” for tacos.