These are such easy fish tacos that are so fresh and flavourful. If you want a meal without too much prepping, well, look no more! They’re tender, flaky fish seasoned just so, wrapped in warm flour tortillas, and topped with a delicious garlic cilantro lime slaw. Here’s everything you’ll need to make the best easy fish tacos.
Why You’ll Love These Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are light but filling, spicy yet refreshing, and just as perfect for a summer night as they are for a mid-week dinner anytime. This fish tacos recipe gets rave reviews—many, averaging 4.4 stars! It’s been compared to the best brewery tacos you’d find in California, but with a homemade twist that’s both simple and satisfying.
Super Easy to Make: Fish Tacos
But don’t worry, even if you are nowhere near the sea or a seafood aficionado, you can easily make these fish tacos at home. In 30 minutes, you will have a delicious ocean-breeze meal, all while being in your kitchen comfort.
What Fish Works Best for Fish Tacos?
Cod is my favorite fish for this recipe. The flavor of the fish is pretty mild and goes well with spices and toppings, but it does get tender and flake well once it’s been baked. You can pretty much use any fish you like for this recipe, as long as its not too tiny to shred easily (also, tiny bones are a hassle to deal with.)
Other Options for Fish
Or, you can try to be more adventurous by opting for mahi-mahi, snapper, flounder, halibut, or grouper if you want to veer from the classic fish selection. Still, each one will bring varying flavors and textures to add to your dish without diminishing the true stars: spices and toppings.
Shrimp Can be Used Too!
If you like shrimp, it’s extremely easy to sub for shrimp in this recipe. Instead of calling them fish tacos, you can call them shrimp tacos. Just keep the spices and timings the same for the recipe. Shrimp tacos are quite delicious and just as tasty and quick, too, with this seasoning and slaw!
Best Fish Tacos: What to Look for in Key Ingredients
This recipe really highlights the importance of straightforward ingredients with a lot of punch. Make sure to source good quality and fresh ingredients.
Spices & Seasonings
Butter, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt create a spicy, buttery sauce that makes the fish incredibly tender and flavourful.
Choice of Fish
Cod or another white fish of your choice is the star of the show, and once it’s baked, it’s flaked and mixed with the sauce for a deeply flavourful base.
Flour Tortilla Shells
Flour tortillas make the perfect soft, warm shell to hold your delicious filling. You can also make your homemade taco shells if you’re feeling dedicated.
The Slaw is the Star
Garlic cilantro lime slaw is the bright, fresh topping that crunches and adds brightness to every bite.
Easy Fish Tacos Recipe
This fish tacos recipe is made to make things easy. You just need about 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time to get a quick, flavourful meal.
1. Prepare the fish
Set your oven to 400°F. Combine melted butter with lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and a dash of salt in a bowl. Then, pour the mixture over the fish and bake for 10-15 minutes until the fish gets soft and flaky.
2. Flake and season
Flake the fish gently with a fork, allowing the rest of the sauce to soak into it from the pan. This absorbs all the flavors from the spices and butter in it.
3. Mixing Everything
Take olive oil, water, chopped green onions, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and salt together. Pour over shredded cabbage to make a tasty slaw to add some contrast to the fish.
4. Assemble Your Tacos
To assemble the tacos, warm tortillas, and fill them with flaked fish, slaw, and any topping you might like: avocado, red onion, mango salsa, or extra cilantro.
Serving Tips for Fish Tacos
- Fish tacos can be paired with almost anything. Here are a couple of ideas to round off your meal:
- You can’t go wrong by using Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice, as it will balance the light fish tacos.
- A mix of Mexican street corn salad brings along a slightly creamy, spicy element that complements perfectly with the flavor of fish.
- Margaritas are a given if you’re having a tacos and bloody mary/spritz night.
- Add-ins like avocado, more cilantro, or even a drizzle of extra lime juice keep things interesting.
The Secret to the Best Fish Tacos Ever
These fish tacos are pretty straightforward, but here are a few additional tips for success:
1. Select Fish
If available, obtain fresh or good-quality frozen fish. Fresh fish presents well and retains its flavors.
2. Preparing Fish
Don’t cook until it’s over. Determine if the fish is done by testing it easily, flaking it with a fork. When the fish does so, it is prepared. The temperature must be at 145 F if the use of a thermometer is taken into consideration.
3. Heat Up or Cool Down the Dish
To add more heat/cool down, simply add more/less chili powder to the butter mixture. To add that extra kick, sprinkle some dashes of cayenne or slices of jalapeño on top as an added flavor bonus!
Why Fish Tacos Are Amazing for All Occasions
Fish tacos have a nice balance of flavor, freshness, and simplicity. Prepared with tender, flaky white fish seasoned lightly with lime, chili powder, and garlic, then tucked into warm flour tortillas and topped with crunchy garlic cilantro lime slaw, avocado, and other toppings, add layers upon layers of taste to satisfy each bite. They’re quick to prepare—about 30 minutes from start to finish—and can be customized with other fish like mahi-mahi or even shrimp. Whether it’s taco Tuesday or just a weeknight craving, fish tacos offer a delicious, coastal-inspired meal anytime.
More Queries on Fish Tacos
1. May I Use Different Forms of Butter?
Yeah! Ghee or non-dairy butter may replace butter for a difference in richness to the fish tacos.
2. How Long Does Leftover Slaw Sauce Last?
The garlic cilantro lime slaw sauce will stay in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, which is a great benefit when preparing ahead or having extras for more tacos. You can, of course, also use fish taco sauce as a traditional choice.
3. How Do I Know if the Cod is Done?
The cod is finished when it flakes easily with a fork or it reaches 145°F. That way, you are going to be guaranteed that perfect tender, juicy bite for your fish tacos that you made to perfection at home!
4. Can I Use These Tacos for Grilled Fish?
Yes! Grill by letting the fish come to room temperature. Season according to instructions. Grill on high. Fish should be released easily off the grill. Don’t force it.
5. If I Want Them Crispy?
If you want crispy fish, batter and fry the chunks of fish before you serve them in the tacos, or look up a dedicated crispy fish taco recipe.
Conclusion
The best easy fish tacos would bring you everything you love about fish tacos—flavor, texture, a dash of spice—without the hassle. They are perfect for those nights when you want something delicious and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re having a family dinner, gathering friends for a meal, or are just looking for something simple to whip up for an easy weeknight dinner, these tacos are going to be a flavor bomb of fun at your table. Get your ingredients ready and your oven preheated, and you will feel like you are enjoying an authentic restaurant meal at home. Happy taco night!
FAQs
1. What fish is best for tacos?
Answer: Cod, mahi-mahi, halibut, or snapper work well for fish tacos.
2. How do I know when the fish is done?
Answer: The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork or reaches 145°F for the best tacos.
3. Can I use corn tortillas?
Answer: Absolutely! Both corn and flour tortillas work well.
4. How long does slaw sauce last?
Answer: Keep the sauce in the fridge for 3-4 days.
5. Can I make these tacos crispy?
Answer: Yes! Try a batter or breading for crispy fish tacos.
