This is the BEST Fish Taco Recipe. Soft tortillas loaded with white fish then topped with a fish taco slaw, toppings, and the best sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, these tacos will become a hit!

Seafood tacos are just the best! These fish tacos are so full of flavor just like our creamy bang bang shrimp tacos.

Fish tacos on a plate topped with fish taco slaw, tomatoes and chipotle mayo sauce and fresh avocado.

FISH TACO RECIPE-

These Tilapia Fish Tacos are a family favorite for busy dinners and so fun for Taco Tuesday! Not only are they so easy to make, but they are also so filling and taste amazingly DELICIOUS!

I love the crispness of the fish combined with the homemade crunchy slaw and the sauce that takes the tacos to a whole new level of GOOD.

Watch the full detailed video for these Fish Tacos on our YouTube and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our channel.

Shrimp Taco topped with cilantro lime sauce and cilantro.

What Fish is Best for Fish Tacos?

We suggest a mild-flavored white fish for fish tacos. We used cod in this recipe but you can also easily substitute for flounder, halibut, tilapia, or your favorite white fish.

Can I use frozen fish: You want to make sure your fish is either flesh or completely thawed before cooking. Otherwise, your fish will cook on the outside and remain raw on the inside.

Fish Seasoning-

Though you can use store-bought seasoning, we make our own and it is amazing! We combine paprika, cumin, chili powder, and garlic for the BEST fish taco seasoning.

TOPPINGS-

Be as creative or traditional as you want with your toppings. We add the toppings into different ramekins and serve it buffet-style allowing everyone to personalize their fish tacos.

Here are some of the classic toppings-

  • Diced tomatoes
  • Avocado (or guac)
  • Feta cheese or cotija
  • Cabbage slaw
  • Red onion
Step by step collage of how to make homemade cabbage slaw for the best fish tacos.

CABBAGE SLAW-

This fish taco slaw adds texture to tacos. Finely shredded purple and green cabbage, shredded carrots, and red onion are what you need for the slaw. We just use this mandoline slicer for those perfect slices!

If you’ll be adding diced red onion as a topping, you can omit it in the slaw but we prefer it here.

THE BEST fish taco SAUCE-

In my opinion, the sauce is what completes a fish taco. Not only does it add flavor but it binds the components together. We make our own sauce and it is bomb dot com good. All you need is Ranch dressing, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and hot sauce for the BEST fish taco sauce.

Seasoned and cooked fish fillets on a plate ready to be used for fish tacos.

HOW TO MAKE FISH TACOS-

Alright, because you want to enjoy the tacos hot, be sure all of your toppings, slaw, and sauce are made. And, the tortillas are heated so you can serve the tacos right away.

  1. Make the slaw– Finely shred the white and red cabbage with a mandoline slicer. Thinly julienne the carrot and finely slice the red onion. Toss the ingredients for the coleslaw mix to combine.
  2. Prepare sauce– In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the fish taco sauce.
  3. Prep toppings– Cube or slice the tomatoes, avocado, and finely chop the cilantro.
  4. Heat tortillas– Though this is optional, we like to heat the tortillas on a clean skillet (or in the oven).
  5. Cook the fish– In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the fish breading. Coat the fish on all fry until fully cooked, flipping halfway through cooking.
  6. Assemble tacos– Add the fish to corn tortillas, top with the coleslaw, toppings and drizzle with sauce and squeeze with fresh lime juice.
Crispy tilapia fish tacos on a platter topped with toppings and cilantro.

Methods for cooking fish

You can prepare the fish using so many different ways! Here are some of the classic methods to cook the fish. The cooking time

  • Stove Top– Add 2 Tablespoons oil and cook 2-3 minutes per side. You want to use a large enough skillet so the fish isn’t crowded.
  • Air Fryer– Grease the basket of the air fryer. Add the fish and spray with oil. Cook 3-4 minutes, per side.
  • Grill– Heat your grill to medium-high heat and grease your grill grates. Cook fish 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Oven– Heat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Add fish and bake for 10-12 minutes.

SERVE WITH-

We like to prepare everything and set the toppings in ramekins on the table buffet style allowing everyone to build their own taco. Here are some other great recipes to add:

A platter loaded with fish tacos topped with sauce and cilantro.

OTHER EASY FISH RECIPES-

Fish Taco Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
4.94 from 15 votes
Quick & Easy Fish Tacos Recipe! Fried white fish (cod or tilapia) served in flour tortillas and topped with homemade cabbage slaw, a chipotle Ranch sauce and topped with avocado, cheese and tomatoes. Perfect 20-minute dinner.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 tacos

Ingredients

  • 6 medium flour tortillas
  • 1 lb fish fillets (cod or tilapia)
  • 2 Tbsp canola oil, for frying

fish seasoning-

cabbage slaw-

  • 1 cup green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1/2 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced

fish taco sauce-

fish taco toppings-

  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/3 cup tomatoes, cubed
  • 1 lime

Instructions

  • Shred and julienne ingredients for the slaw. Combine and set aside.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
  • Combine ingredients for the fish seasoning.
  • Coat the cod generously on all sides with the seasoning.
  • Once the oil is hot, add fish fillets and cook  2-4 minutes per side, or until the fillets are flakey and cooked.
  • Meanwhile, warm the tortillas and cut toppings.
  • Add cooked fish to a tortilla. Generously top with slaw, desired topping and drizzle with sauce and fresh lime juice.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

376kcal Calories20g Carbs18g Protein25g Fat7g Saturated Fat66mg Cholesterol652mg Sodium492mg Potassium2g Fiber4g Sugar2602IU Vitamin A15mg Vitamin C97mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Fish Taco Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 376 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 66mg22%
Sodium 652mg28%
Potassium 492mg14%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 18g36%
Vitamin A 2602IU52%
Vitamin C 15mg18%
Calcium 97mg10%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)