Fish tacos are a delightful and flavorful dish that brings a taste of the coast to your table. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, these tacos combine tender, seasoned fish with fresh toppings for a satisfying meal.
When preparing this recipe, you may need to pick up a few items from the supermarket. White fish fillets like cod or tilapia might not be in everyone's fridge, so make sure to get fresh or frozen ones. Chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder are essential spices that add depth to the fish. Fresh cilantro and a lime will also be needed for that burst of freshness.

Ingredients for Fish Tacos Recipe
White fish fillets: These are the main protein for the tacos, providing a mild and flaky texture.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the fish, adding a subtle richness.
Chili powder: Adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the fish.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy taste that complements the fish.
Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with its pungent and savory notes.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors of the fish.
Tortillas: The base for the tacos, holding all the delicious fillings together.
Shredded cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh taste to the tacos.
Sour cream: Provides a creamy and tangy contrast to the seasoned fish.
Cilantro: Adds a burst of freshness and a hint of citrusy flavor.
Lime: Squeezed over the tacos for a zesty and bright finish.
Technique Tip for Fish Tacos
When preparing the fish fillets, make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel before applying the spice rub. This helps the spices adhere better and ensures a nice crust when cooking. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even cooking and a perfect sear on each piece of fish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
white fish fillets - Substitute with chicken breast: If you prefer a non-seafood option, chicken breast can be grilled and seasoned similarly.
white fish fillets - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, firm tofu can be marinated and grilled to mimic the texture of fish.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and smoky flavor, which can be a good replacement for chili powder.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander has a slightly citrusy flavor that can complement the other spices in the recipe.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder can provide a similar depth of flavor if garlic powder is unavailable.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
small tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, use large lettuce leaves to wrap the taco fillings.
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce can provide a similar crunch and freshness to the tacos.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, with added protein.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can provide a fresh, herbaceous note if cilantro is not available or preferred.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon wedges can provide a similar acidic brightness to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Fish Tacos
How to Store or Freeze Your Fish Tacos
- Allow the cooked fish fillets to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
- Place the cooled fish fillets in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain their flavor and texture.
- Store the fish fillets in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
- To freeze, place the wrapped fish fillets in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to use, thaw the fish fillets in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
- For the tortillas, wrap them in aluminum foil or place them in a resealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Shredded cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing, but note that the texture may change slightly.
- Sour cream should be stored in its original container or transferred to an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated and use within the expiration date.
- Chopped cilantro can be stored in a damp paper towel inside a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. This keeps it fresh for up to a week.
- Lime wedges can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing the juice in ice cube trays.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the fish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is warmed through. For the tortillas, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for the last 5 minutes of the fish reheating time.
Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet. Place the fish in the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until warmed through. For the tortillas, you can warm them in a separate skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
Microwave Method: Place the fish on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds until the fish is heated through. For the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 20-30 seconds.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the fish on a toaster oven tray and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until the fish is warmed through. For the tortillas, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the toaster oven for the last 5 minutes of the fish reheating time.
Steaming Method: Place the fish in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the fish is heated through. For the tortillas, you can wrap them in a damp cloth and place them in the steamer for the last 2 minutes of the fish reheating time.
Essential Tools for Making Fish Tacos
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt for seasoning the fish.
Skillet: Heat the olive oil and cook the fish fillets in this over medium-high heat.
Fork: Use this to check if the fish flakes easily, indicating it's cooked through.
Separate skillet: Warm the tortillas in this or use a microwave if preferred.
Knife: Chop the cilantro and cut the lime into wedges with this.
Cutting board: Use this as a surface for chopping cilantro and cutting lime.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the fish fillets in the skillet and for assembling the tacos.
Measuring spoons: Measure out the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt accurately with these.
Spatula: Use this to transfer the cooked fish from the skillet to the tortillas.
How to Save Time on Making Fish Tacos
Prepare the spice mix ahead: Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt in advance and store in an airtight container.
Pre-cut the toppings: Shred the cabbage and chop the cilantro beforehand to save time during assembly.
Use pre-made tortillas: Opt for store-bought tortillas to skip the step of making them from scratch.
Cook fish in batches: If you have a large skillet, cook multiple fish fillets at once to reduce cooking time.
Microwave tortillas: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for a quick and easy method.

Fish Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb White fish fillets such as cod or tilapia
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 8 small Tortillas
Toppings
- 1 cup Shredded cabbage
- ½ cup Sour cream
- ¼ cup Chopped cilantro
- 1 medium Lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Rub the mixture onto the fish fillets.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until it flakes easily with a fork.
- 3. Warm the tortillas in a separate skillet or in the microwave.
- 4. Assemble the tacos by placing pieces of fish in each tortilla. Top with shredded cabbage, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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