Epic Fish Tacos

Here’s how to make the tastiest fish tacos around! Bake the fish with a dry rub of spices, then top it with tangy slaw and creamy sauce.

Tacos are always a win over here, so might we introduce you to our new favorite? These baked fish tacos! We eat a Mediterranean diet (lots of veggies and some seafood), and these tacos are the best treat! The white fish is baked until it’s flaky with a zingy dry rub of spices, then topped with a tangy slaw and a creamy fish taco sauce! It’s a spin on Mexican Baja tacos using the flavors and style of this cuisine. They’re tasty, easy to make, and ideal for weeknights or dinner parties. Let’s get cooking!

Got a grill? Also try Grilled Fish Tacos.

What fish to use for fish tacos

Are these authentic Mexican tacos? We don’t have Mexican heritage, but here we’ve studied and used flavors that are part of the traditions of Mexican cuisine. You can use any type of white fish for these healthy fish tacos. Here are some of the types of fish that are most commonly used, easiest to find and result in the best tacos:

• Tilapia: has a great mild flavor and buttery texture
• Cod: the flavor here is even milder! Cod is a very neutral-flavored fish and a great choice (it’s surprisingly tasty: also try baked cod, grilled cod or pan fried cod)
• Mahi mahi: if you can’t find the first two, mahi mahi also works: it has a richer, meatier flavor

Other great choices? Snapper, grouper or halibut. Above all, try to find wild caught fish if you can. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. (There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.)

Ingredients in fish taco seasoning

What makes the flavor in these easy fish tacos? The dry rub for the fish taco seasoning! You can make up a big batch of this seasoning in advance and keep it around for taco time (it keeps for about 1 year). Or just mix up what you need day of, which is what we normally do.

Here’s the cool thing: you’ll use it as a dry rub on the fish. There’s no breading and no oil! Just pat the spices on and bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit! The spices form a beautiful crust that’s full of zesty flavor. Here’s what’s in fish taco seasoning:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Smoked paprika is a Spanish version of paprika that infuses a hint of smokiness into each bite. If you can’t find it, use sweet paprika. If you buy a jar, use it up with these Best Smoked Paprika Recipes.

How to make the quickest taco slaw: tips!

One thing that’s essential for fish tacos: a slaw that’s actually fast to make. Many taco slaw recipes take longer than expected: they require lots of ingredients for the dressing or chopping lots of veggies. Not this one! We’ve pared it down to the essentials so that it takes only about 5 minutes to put together. Here are some tips:

• Red cabbage, carrot, and green onion are all you need. This makes the quickest and easiest slaw: only a few veggies to slice.
• Add lime and salt and you’re done! You don’t need to make a fancy dressing: tangy lime juice does the trick! Celery salt adds a nice nuance to the overall flavor. If you don’t have it, just use kosher salt!
• Serve with a slotted spoon. This slaw picks up moisture as it sits. Serving it right away avoids this. If you let it sit for any amount of time, serve with a slotted spoon to avoid a watery taco.

5 fish taco sauce ideas

Once you’ve made your baked fish and quick slaw, all you need is the sauce! There are lots of ideas of great sauces to use. Here are our favorite sauces for these quick fish tacos:

1. Fish Taco Sauce This sauce makes fish tacos taste incredible! Lime, garlic and hot sauce are the ideal compliment for flaky fish.
2. Cilantro Lime Crema, Cilantro Lime Ranch or Lime Crema You’ll want to bathe in these sauces! They’re full of flavor and easy to make.
3. Spicy Mayo Make the Mexican-style spin on this spicy mayo: it’s just 2 ingredients so you can whip it up in a flash. *Dairy free option
4. Chipotle Sauce This easy sauce is zesty, smoky and creamy: perfect for tacos and burritos! *Dairy free option
5. Shrimp Taco Sauce This one works on fish tacos too! It’s like a creamy ranch made with cilantro: quick and easy!

Sides to serve with fish tacos!

Once you’ve made these epic fish tacos, you’ll need something to serve with them! For weeknight meals, we opt for fast and easy side dishes like canned refried beans. But for a dinner party, we’ll make more side dishes to complete the meal. Here are a few ideas of sides to go with tacos:

• Refried Beans: Many canned refried beans have great flavor right out of the can (or stir in some salt, cumin and chili powder). Or, make these tasty Homemade Refried Beans.
• Salad: This Easy Mexican Salad is full of Latin-style flavors, topped with cilantro lime dressing, and crispy tortilla strips. This Tomato Avocado Salad is another great option.
• Guacamole: Chips and guac is the perfect side for tacos! Try this Simple Guacamole or your favorite storebought brand.

This fish tacos recipe is…

Gluten-free and pescatarian.

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More tacos recipes

Tacos are one of the meals we eat the most around here! Here are a few more tacos recipes we have on regular rotation:

• Crispy Avocado Tacos Destined to be your new favorite! With crunchy breading, they’ve got the vibe of a fish taco but are totally plant based.
• Epic Breakfast Tacos Start the day with Tex Mex flavor!
• Quick Shrimp Tacos A fast dinner recipe for weeknights or entertaining. They taste stunning drizzled in a creamy cilantro sauce!
• Easy Black Bean Tacos or Quick Refried Bean Tacos Super quick: the best fast and easy meals!
• Easy Tofu Tacos Full of flavor, quick and totally plant-based with a tofu crumbles filling.
• Best Jackfruit Tacos In just 20 minutes jackfruit turns into a plant based version of pulled pork carnitas. These tacos will amaze you!