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Home Fish recipes

Fish Tacos

By:Nagi
Published:15 Jan '20Updated:8 Dec '23
305 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

You don’t need to deep fry to make terrific Fish Tacos. You just need a really great marinade! A seriously delicious way to serve up white fish fillets, this recipe can be cooked on the BBQ or stove. Either way, they’re healthy, fresh and bursting with serious taco goodness!

Bonus: they happen to be HEALTHY 💪🏼

Close up of Fish Tacos on a plate, ready to be eaten

Fish Tacos

A bad fish taco is worse than a bad chicken taco.

And while most people would be turned off after multiple dismal experiences, I persevered, believing there to be better.

I mean, tacos. They have always been one of my favourite foods, ever since the first time I tried them.

And I’m thankful I didn’t give up. Because it just got better and better. Went to Mexico, tasted the real deal, then used that as my benchmark to make my own.

And now I’ve got The Fish Taco recipe. Well, at least, what I think is the BEST Fish Taco recipe. 🙂

What I like to do is load the fish with flavour with a chipotle lime marinade. You just know by looking at it that it’s gonna be good, right??!

Cooking marinated fish for Fish Tacos

Will you LOOK AT THAT!!! Tender and juicy on the inside, deep golden brown on the outside, flavoured all the way through with just a quick 20 minute marinade!!

Close up of two forks flaking fish for tacos

What to serve with Fish Tacos

Here’s what I serve with Fish Tacos:

  • The chipotle marinated fish;

  • “Pink Taco Sauce” – 2 ingredient, mildly spicy sour cream or yogurt sauce, goes very well with the fish;

  • Quick pickled cabbage; and

  • lime wedges and coriander/cilantro leaves.

Fish Tacos with sides and toppings - pickled cabbage and fish taco sauce

What you need for Fish Tacos

Here’s what you need to make fish tacos.

What goes in Fish Tacos

Any firm white fish fillets will work fine here, especially if they are fleshy.

My favourites are snapper and barramundi. They have “meaty” flesh which I particularly enjoy in tacos.

Other common fish that are ideal include: tilapia, basa, cod, John Dory and Silver Dory, ling, bream, haddock, pollack, monkfish.

I recommend avoiding:

  • really lean fish – like swordfish, tuna and kingfish

  • very delicate fish – like dover sole and flounder


Quick Pickled Cabbage for Tacos

I serve these tacos with a quick pickled cabbage. Pickling it makes the cabbage floppy so it kind of melds together better with the fish (raw cabbage would be too pokey and crunchy for tender fish), and the slight tang is a classic pairing with seafood.

Here’s what you need for the pickled cabbage:

Pickled cabbage for fish tacos

Don’t restrict yourself to using this pickled cabbage just for Fish Tacos! It will go with any type of tacos – chicken, old school beef tacos, shredded beef, beef barbacoa, or pork carnitas.


How to make it

I think I’ve pretty much talked through the making part, but here’s a visual anyway!

  • 20 minute fish marinade – no longer, because otherwise the lime juice in the marinade will “cook” the fish;

  • cook it, flake it;

  • quick taco sauce – sour cream and sriracha. I call it my Pink Taco Sauce;

  • pickle the cabbage – 20 minutes to become floppy (same as the fish marinating time, nice and convenient!);

  • stuff and devour.

How to make the BEST easy Fish Tacos

Close up of Fish Tacos, ready to be eaten

I typically cook Fish Tacos on the stove for midweek meals. But this is fantastic food for a barbecue with friends! It cooks so quickly so it doesn’t take you away from your guests and you can throw the tortillas onto the BBQ to warm up.

It also scales up easily, and you can lay everything out on the table and let everyone help themselves. Definitely my preferred method of entertaining!! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Close up of Fish Tacos on a plate, ready to be eaten

Fish Tacos

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Marinating & pickling: 20 minutes mins
Total: 45 minutes mins
Dinner
Mexican
4.91 from 97 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 324
Recipe video above. Fish marinated in classic Mexican fresh flavours, seared until golden, are perfect for tacos. The lightly pickled red cabbage is a perfect accompanied for the soft fish, a great texture contrast. A wonderful recipe for white fish fillets, you will NOT miss deep fried fish!

Ingredients

Fish Marinade

  • 1.2 lb / 600g firm white fish fillets (Note 1)
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp chipotle powder (Note 2)
  • 1 tbsp canned jalapeno , finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro / coriander , finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Quick Pickled cabbage

  • 4 cups red cabbage , finely shredded
  • 3 green onion stems , finely sliced on the diagonal
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar, cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Pink Taco Sauce

  • 3/4 cup sour cream (or yogurt)
  • 2 - 3 tbsp sriracha , adjust to taste (Note 3)

To Cook & Serve

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 small tortillas (corn or flour), warmed
  • lime wedges
  • coriander/cilantro leaves

Instructions

  • Marinade fish: Combine Fish Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag. Set aside for 20 minutes to marinate - no longer than 1 hour.
  • Pickled Cabbage: Place Pickled Cabbage ingredients in a bowl. Toss to combine and set aside for 30 minutes. Drain excess liquid, scrunch cabbage with your hands (to help soften). Set aside.
  • Pink Sauce: Mix to combine.
  • Cook fish: Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Cook fish for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked.
  • Remove fish onto plate then flake into large pieces.
  • To assemble tacos, top with cabbage then fish, a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of lime juice. Fold tortilla over and enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

1. Fish - my favourites are snapper and barramundi. They have "meaty" flesh which I particularly enjoy in tacos. Other good fish include: tilapia, basa, cod, John Dory and Silver Dory, ling, bream, haddock, pollack, monkfish.
Recommend avoiding:
  • lean fish - like swordfish, tuna, kingfish (unless you can get fatty kingfish)
  • very delicate fish - like dover sole and flounder
2. Chipotle powder - can still be irritatingly difficult to find in Australia! Not sold in all major supermarkets (yet) but you can find it in fruit & veg stores (eg Harris Farms), delis and gourmet/speciality stores (e.g. Thomas Dux). It does not cost much more than ordinary spices. It can be ordered online from Firework Foods (Aus only).
If you can't track it down, I think the best substitute is ½ tbsp each SMOKED paprika, cumin and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.
3. Sriracha - Asian chilli sauce that's very common nowadays (sold alongside chilli sauces and in Asian section). Great "cheat" ingredient to quickly add flavour into things as it's made with more than just chilli. To reduce spiciness of sauce, sub with some (or all) ketchup instead.
4. Nutrition for 3 tacos (tortilla + fish + pickled cabbage), assumes 2 of the 3 tbsp of oil in the marinade is discarded.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 309gCalories: 410cal (21%)Carbohydrates: 38.8g (13%)Protein: 28.3g (57%)Fat: 17.3g (27%)Saturated Fat: 2.9g (18%)Cholesterol: 61mg (20%)Sodium: 378mg (16%)Potassium: 278mg (8%)Fiber: 6.1g (25%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 100IU (2%)Vitamin C: 41.3mg (50%)Calcium: 110mg (11%)Iron: 2.5mg (14%)
Keywords: fish tacos, healthy tacos, mexican fish, white fish fillets recipe
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Originally published May 2016. Updated with new photos and video, and most importantly, new Life of Dozer section added!


Life of Dozer

Helping shop for new appliances!! Need an industrial strength washing machine that can cope with all this darn FUR.

Dozer the golden retriever buying washing machine

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305 Comments

  1. Anna Lonergan says

    December 3, 2023 at 8:18 am

    5 stars
    Flavour packed meal that takes hardly any time to whip up. A family favourite in my house. I have made it with chipotle and also with the chipotle substitute listed in the notes. Amazing both ways. I add a grated carrot in with the cabbage too!

    Reply
  2. Naomi says

    November 20, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    Happy to report that Woolworths now has introduced a chipotle seasoning in their own brand of spices.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      November 26, 2023 at 10:08 am

      The Woolworths one is not quite the same. This recipe calls for chipotle powder which is 100% chipotle. The Woolworths chipotle seasoning is a mix of spices and only has 14% chipotle.

      Reply
  3. Anita says

    August 17, 2023 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    This is a great dish for getting a healthy, delicious and cost effective meal on the table fairly quickly if you do a little pre-planning. I made the flatbreads ahead of time. The marinade was made up ready to have the fish fillets popped in for 20mins. The longer the cabbage sits for, the better. I know fish is expensive, but it goes a long way and there are cheaper alternatives that will work. I added carrot and rocket to my cabbage because that’s what I had in the fridge. Added some avocado on the bread, again, I had some in the fridge. YUM. Thank you for another family favourite.

    Reply
  4. Jeni schuh says

    August 14, 2023 at 8:17 pm

    I buy my corn and flour tortillas online from
    Chili mojo.

    Also has Chipotle, hot sauces, etc. A great source for Mexican food ingredients

    Reply
  5. Grace says

    June 11, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Hi Nagi, I am planning on making this recipe (looking delicious!). I just would like your recommendation on what brand of tortilla’s I should buy? Thank you for your time and love all your recipes!

    Reply
    • JULIA BOYLE says

      July 5, 2023 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      HI Grace,
      Im not Nagi but I use Old El Paso street market corn tortillas, or if you can get La Tortilleria online or in Melbourne they are the best.

      Reply
  6. Anna says

    April 16, 2023 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    This was absolutely amazing! Spicier than expected but still delicious!! Wondering what other recipes I can use the chipotle powder in and can wait to try them, or get a little creative myself!! These really should be served with a margarita or a gimlet!!

    Reply
  7. Joanna B says

    April 15, 2023 at 10:02 pm

    5 stars
    Just about to try this – looks like a fantastic recipe. You mention that Chipotle powder is hard to find in Australia – are you familiar with Herbies (online shop)? They have the most wonderful herbs and spices including Chipotle powder.

    Reply
    • Julzy says

      June 29, 2023 at 3:54 pm

      Sorry to jump on your post, but thank you for the information.

      Reply
  8. Sylvia K says

    April 2, 2023 at 7:37 pm

    5 stars
    Really enjoyed this. It was tasty, quick to make and had a great amount of kick to it. Used ling and it was so tender and delicious. Though next time I’ll use a non stick pan!

    Reply
  9. Carol Griffiths says

    March 31, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    4 stars
    I’m going to take this recipe to our outback adventure …frozen ling can be ordered from the distant supermarket

    Reply
  10. Debbie Elford says

    March 28, 2023 at 8:53 am

    Hi Nagi, we cooked these and they were delicious. We have used this recipe over and over again. Next day we heated them up as per your instructions in your cookbook “Dinner” for our grandchildren and they devoured them. Crisp and still as tasty as the night before. Yum yum yum

    Reply
  11. Kiera says

    February 21, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    5 stars
    These are incredible. I find that now when I go out for tacos I’m disappointed, because they’re never as good!

    Reply
  12. L:indsey says

    February 3, 2023 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    LOVED the flavor of the fish. I used snapper and it was fantastic. I would definitely make this again.

    Reply
  13. Bianca says

    November 3, 2022 at 11:06 pm

    Hi Nagi, can I make the pickled cabbage 1-2 days before or will this make it too soggy?

    Reply
  14. Lisa says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    I’m obsessed! Made the pickled cabbage the night before and it was so good. Also served the tacos with your guac recipe. I’ll be making this again

    Reply
  15. Julie N says

    September 14, 2022 at 3:02 am

    5 stars
    This recipe tastes delicious. I wanted to use white fish differently and I was not disappointed. However, since we are wimps in our family when it comes to hot food, I thought the jalapenos were too much, and I would skip them next time, as they dominated the taste of the delicious fish and marinade.

    Reply
  16. Anna says

    September 11, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Also made pickled onion and served with pre-bought chipotle aioli.

    Reply
  17. Chay says

    June 29, 2022 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    Another winner, Nagi! Used snapper, yoghurt for the sauce as that’s what I had in the fridge, and the spice combo in place of chipotle powder. Made sourdough naan breads to use as wraps. Whole family loved the tacos, including the picky eater (who went back for a third!) Thank you x

    Reply
  18. S Coia says

    June 27, 2022 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! My son wanted to try fish tacos and these hit the spot. So much so that for my family of 3 we use approx 800g of fish!

    Will definitely make this again.

    Reply
  19. Katie B says

    June 7, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    We LOVE the flavor of this, but I can’t get my fish to char or blacken! My pan is hot, what am I doing wrong? Do you use a cast iron or non stick skillet?

    Reply
  20. Misha says

    June 7, 2022 at 5:56 am

    5 stars
    I love these tacos Nagi, they’re incredible 😊 I’m planning to make these for a dinner party, and wanted to check if I could cook the fish in the oven? Will take an age to do on the stove!

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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