A mouthwatering recipe for Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw and the best fish taco sauce ever! Pan-sear, grill or bake in under 30 minutes. Video. Vegan-adaptable.
Say hello to one of our favorite “go-to” healthy weeknight meals! This fish taco recipe is a “tried-and-true” favorite among our readers, and it’s also my personal favorite! I’m not kidding when I say we make fish tacos at least once a week- they are that good!
Why You’ll Love These Fish Tacos
- The cabbage slaw! The fish taco slaw is simple yet flavorful and can be made ahead, keeping for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Seasonally Versatile. Cook the fish on the grill, on the stovetop, or bake it in the oven, depending on the season.
- The seasonings. The white fish is perfectly seasoned with a blend of Mexican spices that are super flavorful.
- Vegan-Adaptable! Make them vegan using TOFU – perfect for mixed households where both vegans and non-vegans live in the same house!
- Flaky and moist. The problem with some fish taco recipes is that they often lack flavor and are either dry or overcooked. We will show you how to avoid that with my best chef’s tips!
One reader Paula says: “WOW, this is fish taco recipe is fantastic! I followed the recipe exactly, and served it with the slaw and your chipotle mayo. Best fish taco I’ve ever had. Sylvia, your blog is quickly becoming my go-to for great recipes – thank you!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“
Robert says: If I could give these fish tacos 10 stars I would. The are fantastic. They seem too easy to have so much flavor, don’t let this fool you. The chipotle aioli is a must!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fish Taco Recipe Ingredients
- White Fish: tilapia, mahi-mahi, red snapper, black cod, wild cod, seabass, or even shrimp. Or sub Tofu!
- Spice Rub: chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, chipotle powder, (or smoked paprika and cayenne pepper) salt and a little sugar
- Fish Taco Slaw Ingredients: Cabbage, lime, cilantro, fresh jalapeno, salt ( we leave out the mayonnaise here!)
- Tortillas: Fish tacos are typically made with flour tortillas, but a blend of flour and corn work well too. We love our homemade tortillas!
- Best Fish Taco Sauce: This Chipotle Mayo is our favorite with fish tacos. Or for something different, try Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde), Vegan Cilantro Crema, Fermented Hot Sauce,
- Optional Fish Taco Toppings: Avocado, Cotija Cheese, guacamole, lime crema, sour cream, cilantro, lime, pickled red onions
Best Type of Fish to Use in Fish Tacos
When making fish tacos, you can use a variety of fish that have mild flavors and flaky textures. Here are some popular types of fish to consider:
- Tilapia: Tilapia is a widely available and affordable option for fish tacos. It has a mild taste and cooks quickly.
- Mahi Mahi: Also known as dorado, it has a firm texture and a slightly sweet flavor. It holds up well on the grill or in the oven.
- Red Snapper: Red snapper has a slightly nutty flavor and a medium-firm texture. It can be grilled, pan-seared, or baked for fish tacos.
- Wild Cod: Cod is a popular choice for fish tacos due to its delicate flavor and flaky texture. It can be easily grilled, baked, or pan-fried.
- Sea Bass: Sea bass has a rich and buttery taste with a firm texture. It works well for grilling or baking in fish tacos.
- Black Cod: Black cod, also known as sablefish, has a rich and velvety texture with a mild and buttery flavor. It can be cooked in various ways, including grilling and baking.
Remember, you can always experiment with different types of fish based on your preference and availability. Enjoy your fish tacos!
How to Make the Best Fish Tacos
Step 1: Make the Fish Taco Slaw. Either chop the cabbage (or buy pre-chopped cabbage)and place it in a medium bowl. Add onion, cilantro, jalapeño, salt, and fresh lime juice and toss well. Adjust salt and lime to taste, getting the right flavor balance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Taco Slaw Tip: The fish taco slaw will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator, so I sometimes make a double batch for other meals. You can also make this slaw ahead- it keeps well! Boost nutrition and crunch by adding veggies like carrots, radish, kohlrabi, or jicama!
Step two: Make the Chipotle Mayo! This is optional, but oh so delicious! You can make this ahead, it will keep up to 5 days in the fridge.
Step three: Season the fish fillets. Stir together the Mexican spices and season the fish on both sides. You can cut the fish into strips or leave them whole, and cut after cooking.
Chef’s Pro Tip: We add a pinch of sugar to the spice blend for a reason here! The pinch of sugar in the spice blend helps caramelize the fish quickly, giving it a beautiful, golden crust, without overcooking the fish and drying it out. (Of course, this is optional).
Step four: Cook the fish. Grill the fish (my favorite), pan-sear it on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet, or bake it in the oven (spray it with olive oil first). When done ( it doesn’t take long!), squeeze the fish with lime juice. Grilling it gets that slight char, mirroring authentic Mexican tacos.
Step five: Warm the tortillas. If you are grilling the fish, then grill the tortillas on the grill or the stovetop. Tip: The tortillas are done when they start to bubble. Wrap the warmed tortillas in a kitchen towel to keep them soft and pliable.
Step six: Assemble the Fish Tacos. Place the seasoned fish in the warm tortilla, top it with the crunchy, cool taco slaw, drizzle with our Chipotle Mayo, and add avocado and cilantro. Serve with lime!
Storing Fish Tacos
Leftovers will keep up to 3 days in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be repurposed into lunch or dinner the next day by creating a healthy bowl with rice or black beans, and top it with the leftover fish (or tofu) and the Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw, which tastes even better the next day!
Favorite Fish Taco Toppings
Keep it simple or create a taco bar! Our favorite toppings include:
- Fish Taco Slaw ( of course!) Or try this shrimp taco creamy slaw recipe.
- Chipotle Mayo – for a creamy smoky component- this can also be made vegan!
- Pickled red onions add a tangy, bright component that enlivens the tacos!
- Avocado slices – add a creamy richness, without dairy!
- Lime wedges– add acidity, and brightness.
- Cotija cheese adds richness and savory depth.
- Hot sauce – for extra heat!
- Fresh cilantro– for flavor and pop of color!
Fish Taco Serving Suggestions
Fish tacos are a meal unto themselves but if creating a Mexican Feast, we suggest picking a few side dishes from the list below.
More Mexican Favorites!
I love how flavorful and straightforward these fish tacos are while staying clean and lean. Enjoy the tacos, and please leave your comments and rating below!
If you enjoy this recipe, then you’ll love our Shrimp Tacos, Tuna Tostadas! Be sure to check out our Lobster Rolls, too!
Watch How to Make Fish Tacos
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 tacos
- Category: main, vegan, fish, tofu
- Method: stovetop, grill, baked
- Cuisine: mexican
Description
Our go-to Fish Taco recipe with the best fish taco slaw. Cook on the grill, stove top or oven! Vegan & gluten-free adaptable- sub tofu for the fish! A fast, easy and healthy dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw:
- 12 ounces shredded cabbage ( purple is nice, or use slaw mix), about 6 cups
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, more to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (packed), 1/2 of a large bunch
- 1/4 -1/2 of a jalapeño, finely chopped, more to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, more to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Fish
- 1– 1 1/2 lbs white fish (tilapia, mahi-mahi, red snapper, halibut, black cod, grouper, flounder) or 1 pound extra firm tofu
- 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (or sub cayenne and a little smoked paprika)
- for more smoky flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Taco Fixings:
- 8-12 x 5-inch flour tortillas (or a blend of flour and corn)
- Lime wedges
- Avocado slices
- Cotija Cheese
- Cilantro
Sauce options:
Instructions
- Make the Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw: Place the shredded cabbage in a medium bowl. Toss with the salt. Add the onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, olive oil and toss well. Adjust lime, salt, and jalapeño, adding more to taste– you want this to taste tangy and flavorful.
- Make Fish Taco Sauce: Make any accompanying sauce. Chipotle Mayo is my absolute favorite here- feel free to do this ahead.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or preheat the oven to 400F.
- Prep the fish: Pat dry the fish. (See notes for tofu) In a small bowl make the spice rub- stirring the spices and salt together. Sprinkle all sides of the fish lightly with the spice rub (you will not need all). Set aside. Feel free to cut the fish, or leave it whole, then cut.
- Cook the Fish. To grill: Grease the grill well before placing fish on it. Turn heat to medium. Grill each side for a few minutes, letting grill marks develop and use a metal spatula to flip. Cook until the desired doneness (center is flaky, opaque, roughly 140F) and squeeze with a little lime juice. Bake: place fish on a parchment-lined sheet pan, spray with spray olive oil, bake 6 minutes then flip, spray with olive oil. Continue baking until cooked through- time will depend on thickness (another 4-6 minutes). Fish is done when opaque in the middle, flaky, and registers 140°F in the center. Squeeze with lime juice. Pan-sear: Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Carefully add fish, and sear until golden, 3-4 minutes, flip, lower heat to medium, continue cooking until cooked through- until center is flaky, opaque. Timing will depend on the thickness of the fish. Squeeze with lime.
- Heat the tortillas– either quickly grill the tortillas on the grill, in the oven directly on the oven rack, or directly over a gas flame (on the stovetop).
- Assemble Tacos: Place fish in the warm tortillas, top with cabbage slaw and any garnishes. Drizzle with the optional (but delicious) Chipotle Mayo if you like. Serve!
Notes
TIP: To make this recipe a little faster, buy pre-shredded cabbage, make the spice rub ahead, and make the chipotle mayo ahead.
TOFU: If using tofu, place a block of firm tofu on paper towels and press down gently to release more liquid, patting dry. Cut into 1-inch thick, 3-inch long strips for easier grilling. Coat strips lightly with spice rub, grill on a well-greased grill, or pan-sear the tofu, in a skillet with olive oil until crispy, or bake the tofu (spray the seasoned tofu with olive oil spray before baking) until golden crispy, approx 30 mins.
The Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw is enough for 2 pounds of fish (feel free to halve) but I like to make a big batch and keep the leftovers – and use it on everything (bowls, sandwiches, wraps, side salad…) during the week. If your slaw tastes bland- add more lime and salt. 😉
Leftovers will keep up to 3 days in the fridge in separate airtight containers. Great in bowls, wraps, etc.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos (without sauce)
- Calories: 233
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 163.2 mg
- Fat: 7.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29.2 g
- Fiber: 3.9 g
- Protein: 15.5 g
- Cholesterol: 29.2 mg
Faqs
Most mild-flavored white-fleshed fish work best in fish tacos. Our favorites include: Tilapia, mahi mahi, red snapper, wild cold, black cod, sea bass, halibut, grouper, and flounder.
Serve fish tacos with fish taco slaw, chipotle mayo or lime crema, Mexican rice and beans.
Fish tacos are typically served with flour tortillas, but using a blend of flour and corn tortillas work well too!
Fish tacos are typically topped with a fish taco slaw made with fresh cabbage, cilantro and lime, and a creamy fish taco sauce.
Yes! Use the same rub on strips of tofu and pan-sear!
This recipe has become a favorite of mine – I’ve made it once a week for the past 3 weeks. I make a double batch of the seasoning and there are only 2 of us so it goes a long way. I always make the slaw which is easily adaptable for personal tastes. This week I pan roasted to some corn and added the kernels to the slaw. It was pretty and tasty. I have made the chipotle sauce with the actual adobo sauce and with the chipotle powder – we prefer the adobe sauce over the powder. (I use Greek yogurt rather than mayo). Love that this is so easy, quick and tasty.
the recipe is great- particularly the slaw is so light, tangy and delicious! I did not even realize I liked slaw before this … I used mahi mahi and just seasoned with Old Bay and Borsari and with the slaw and some avocados and the sauce it was perfect.
These tacos were delicious. The seasoning for the fish was perfect. I made the Chipotle mayo using Greek yogurt instead of mayo, but other than that, followed the recipe. There are only two of us in the house and I have enough seasoning left over for several more meals. The beauty of the slaw is you don’t have to follow the recipe – just taste and correct depending upon your personal tastes. The slaw goes together in no time and I loved the acid from the lime and the heat from the jalapeno Great meal – and after 15 years of trying to find a fish taco my husband would love – I’ve finally found a keeper! Thank you. Love your blog and
This recipe is amazing! My husband and I have made it a few times now and love it, and we find pan searing some flounder or sole the easiest. I add black beans to the slaw to add more protein, texture, and flavor. We made the chipotle mayo for the first time with it last night and loved it! It is also very nice to have leftover slaw to have as a side with another meal. 😊
Awesome Wendy, great to hear! 🙌
Delicious!!!!
At first I didn’t know what to expect. I’m not a fish taco person nor do I know how to season fish well. This recipe blew my mind. My brother, who also doesn’t like fish tacos, cleaned his plate and said it was better than restaurants. I am a lover now. Thanks!! This will definitely be seen more often on my dinner table.
I did make a cilantro lime crema sauce to top it. Extra delish.
Yay Diane, so happy you both liked this!
Amazing rub for the fish. The side recipes for Slaw and cilantro cream (used tofu) and Mexican secret sauce really make the fish stand out.
This is second time making.
This was excellent!!
Thanks Kelly! Glad you liked.
We made this with fresh caught Walleye, loved the RUB on the fish,
Already planning on making a larger batch of the RUB to keep on hand, The slaw was also very yummy,
Will be doing this again.
I made these tonight. Excellent! Husband really liked them! We made the tacos with the cabbage mango slaw and the green cilantro dressing (both excellent recipes). We used the spice rub on halibut. Also, made homemade tortillas. Would definitely make these again.
I just made this and we loved it . Easy and just right seasonings and spices . It’s going into my permanent file , that you for sharing .
Great tasting fish tacos! We add 1/2-1/3 of the chili powder and omit the chipotle, for our kids taste buds to be happy. this reminds us of our favorite dish while at the Florida coast!
Awesome Sarah- great to hear!
Loved the kick from pepper. I used serrano instead of jalapeno though.
Very easy to prepare. Delicious! Love the cilantro lime cabbage slaw.
Thanks Peggy!
Question – Does the taco calories stat include the tortilla or is it just for the filling (fish and slaw)? Thanks!
Tiffany
Both, filling and one tortilla
There’s a fish & prawn wrap that I loved to get from Borough Market when I lived in London. This recipe is really easy and helps me recreate a meal that was super special to me.
Thanks so much- glad you liked it!
Made the Slaw about a half dozen times and everytime, it’s a big hit. My grandsons always ask for me to make extra. They even used it on their bratwurst sandwiches the next day.
This is so yummy! We will definitely be making this on a regular basis! Made as directed and did add some avocado slices and the Chipotle mayo as suggested. There is extra slaw, but it was great for lunch today – I loved the slaw!
Thanks so happy you enjoyed!!
Deliciousness!
Made these 2 and making them for the third time. All I can say is this recipe is the best.
thanks Char, very appreciated!!!
Excellent!
I was looking just for a quick fish taco slaw recipe & came across this, and wow! A keeper! Slaw was light & flavorful, spice rub (on local Maine halibut) was on point, and the add’l chipotle sauce (w vegan mayo) was a great addition. Will make again, and check out your other ideas!
Loved this recipe! I made extra slaw, so glad I did. I hD to make a few adjustments (very slight) for my weight watcher meal. Thank you, I’m always up for new recipes for WW, so it doesn’t get boring. Loved this recipe. Thank you. ?
Love this recipe- and especially the taco slaw! So easy but so much flavor.
First time trying fish tacos. Wanted to for few yrs. Found this recipe that seemed easy enough. Felt like fish had way too much seasoning, better salt n pepper. Wasn’t crazy about the slaw. Kind of bland. Too much cilantro. Not a big fan. But I did eat two.
This is a delicious dinner! We made it with tilapia using the rub which grilled the tilapia to make it very tasty. The Secret Mexican Sauce was a wonderful addition to the small street fish tacos along with the Mexican Slaw. We gave the slaw about 3 hours to meld together. A great choice.