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 ;).
Tacos are one of my favorite go-to meals because you can endlessly customize them and fill them with whatever tastes and textures you love While ground beef and chicken are taco staples, fish tacos have become a trendy menu item that I’ve really come to enjoy The light, flaky fish pairs so nicely with crunchy shells and fresh toppings.
If you’re looking to expand your taco horizons, fish tacos are a great option. But with so many types of fish out there, how do you know what’s best for tacos? Don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you!
In this article, I’ll share my picks for the tastiest fish to use in tacos, along with cooking tips and topping ideas to make yours restaurant-quality. Let’s dive in!
What Makes a Good Fish for Tacos?
When choosing a fish for tacos, you’ll want to look for types with these characteristics:
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Flaky flesh – The fish should separate into flakes when cooked, rather than being dense or mushy. This gives you nice “bite” and texture
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Mild flavor – Fish with a more delicate, neutral taste work best so other taco ingredients can shine. The flavor shouldn’t overpower.
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Moisture – The cooked fish should be juicy, not dry. Moisture is key for soft tacos.
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Affordable – Opt for fish that fits your budget. Tacos are a casual food, so save expensive seafood for fancy meals.
Taking those qualities into account, below I’ll recommend the best affordable fish choices that are widely available and perfect for tacos.
The Best Fish for Tacos
Tilapia
This is hands-down my #1 pick for fish tacos! Tilapia is inexpensive, sustainable, and has all the ideal qualities. The boneless fillets cook up moist and flaky with a very mild, neutral taste that complements spices well. It’s a great blank canvas for tacos.
I like to season tilapia with a bit of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cumin before pan-searing. Then assemble the tacos with lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and cotija cheese. So fresh and delicious!
Cod
Another excellent choice is cod, which shares many similarities with tilapia. It flakes beautifully when cooked, has a delicate flavor, and stays nice and moist. It’s also budget-friendly.
I recommend using blackened seasoning on cod before pan-frying to give the tacos a kick of flavor. Top with chipotle mayo and shredded cabbage for a tasty meal.
Mahi Mahi
While slightly more expensive that tilapia or cod, mahi mahi makes incredible fish tacos that are worth splurging on occasionally. This firm white fish has a slightly sweet taste and substantial texture that stands up well when layered with bold taco toppings.
For easy mahi mahi tacos, simply season fish fillets with lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Grill until cooked through, then fill tortillas and top with pineapple salsa, cilantro, and lime wedges. The sweet and citrusy flavors pair perfectly with the mahi.
Haddock
Similar to cod, haddock is an affordable white fish with delicate flavoring. It flakes apart nicely when cooked, giving it the right texture for tacos. I like to dust haddock fillets in a mix of cornmeal and taco seasoning before pan-frying until golden. Top with your favorite veggies and cheese for easy weeknight tacos.
Halibut
While one of the more expensive fish options, halibut makes incredibly luxurious tacos thanks to its thick fillets and ultra-mild taste. It stays moist during cooking and forms large sturdy flakes, so it won’t fall apart in the taco shells.
I recommend seasoning halibut steaks with chili-lime marinade before grilling. The caramelized exterior provides great flavor. Fill tortillas with the halibut along with mango salsa and shredded red cabbage for a restaurant-quality meal.
Salmon
Salmon has a stronger, fishier taste than white fish, so it may not be everyone’s first pick for tacos. But its rich omega-3 fats and velvety texture certainly make delicious tacos! Choose wild-caught salmon for the best quality and flavor.
I like to quickly marinate salmon fillets in teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices before broiling. The sweet glaze complements the salmon beautifully. Add toppings like sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, and pickled jalapeños.
Shrimp
For non-fish options, shrimp is fantastic in tacos! The plump, juicy shrimp provide great substance and pop of flavor. They cook fast, so shrimp tacos can be on the table in under 30 minutes.
Season the shrimp with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and lime juice. Saute in olive oil until pink. Then fill tortillas and top with pineapple salsa, queso fresco, and plenty of cilantro.
Fish Tacos Toppings
A flavorful fish filling is just the start for awesome tacos. Let your imagination run wild with fun toppings! Here are some of my favorites:
- Guacamole or avocado slices
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa (try mango or pineapple!)
- Cabbage or lettuce
- Sharp cheddar or cotija cheese
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Pickled red onions
- Fresh cilantro
By mixing and matching toppings, you can create so many tasty combinations to enjoy with your fish tacos. Get the whole family involved in customizing their tacos!
Simple Ways to Cook Fish for Tacos
To get flawlessly cooked fish ready for tacos, just choose one of these quick and easy methods:
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Pan-fry – Coat fillets with seasoning of your choice, then cook in olive oil over medium-high heat until opaque and flaky.
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Broil – Place seasoned fillets on a baking sheet and broil 6 inches from heating element for 6-8 minutes until done.
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Grill – Brush fillets with oil and cook over direct high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Get nice grill marks.
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Bake – Put fillets in a foil pouch with pats of butter, lemon, and seasoning. Bake at 400°F until fish is opaque and tender.
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Air Fry – Mist fillets with oil, then cook in air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
All these quick and easy methods yield tender, flaky fish ready to stuff into tortillas and load up with all your favorite toppings. Tacos make such a fun, customizable family meal.
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).
Ingredients for Fish Tacos:
We used tilapia but you are welcome to use any white fish. Salmon or shrimp would be amazing as well!.