A flaky, spiced pan-fried fish taco recipe with quick cabbage slaw and the most delicious lime crema. An easy weeknight meal – one of my most popular recipes on the blog!
I don’t play fast and loose with the words “favourite food”, but fish tacos – done right – are definitely a contender.
Done right doesn’t mean difficult or time consuming – in fact, it’s quite the opposite.
My dream taco (what, you don’t dream about mexican recipes?) is just a well-seasoned filet of flaky fish (read: not overcooked), with something crunchy, something creamy, and a good balance of fiery and tangy.
In this recipe, my “something crunchy” is cabbage slaw for fish tacos (or simply cabbage tossed with lime juice, cilantro and salt) and my “something creamy” is lime crema (but I equally love my baja sauce for fish tacos).
Wrap them up with my soft corn tortilla recipe or my go-to easy fresh flour tortilla recipe.
I also love homemade tortillas with my beef fajitas, cheese quesadillas, Shredded Beef and chicken enchilada casserole recipes!
Fish Taco Recipe Tips
This fish taco recipe comes together in 15 minutes, and makes a deeeeelicious, healthy, fresh weeknight meal.
I did my fish on a grill pan indoors but by all means fire up the grill outside.
- Grease the grates really well (I rub a wadded up piece of paper towel dipped in oil onto the hot grill using tongs), flip carefully, and keep a close watch so you don’t overcook it.
- Turn it over when the top edges of the fillet have turned opaque and cook until it is flaky at the edges and just a teensy weensy bit translucent in the centre, as the residual heat will finish off the cooking after it’s removed from the pan.
Feel free to sub in any other white fish or salmon! Very versatile.
If you love fish recipes as much as I do, try my tuna patties, air fryer tuna steak, fish cakes, and baked salmon with mayonnaise.
How to Serve Spicy Fish Tacos
Fish Taco Toppings
I usually add avocado slices, extra cilantro, sour cream and a squeeze of lime.
- Pickled red onions or jalapeños give a nice tangy kick. For heat, try a drizzle of mango habanero sauce or a spoonful of salsa verde.
Side Dishes for Fish Tacos
- These tacos go perfectly with Instant Pot Mexican Rice or refried black beans. A simple Mexican Street Corn Salad is another favorite.
- If you want something light, serve with Taco Salsa and tortilla chips.
If you love fish tacos as much as I do, you must also try my Baja Fish Taco recipe next. Or head over here for amazing Chicken Tacos.
Other Delicious Taco Recipes You’ll Love
Spicy Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw + Lime Crema
Video
Ingredients
- 2 lbs white fish fillets (like tilapia, haddock, snapper, cod, halibut or sole)
- salt and pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- warmed flour tortillas for serving
- slaw for fish tacos
- lime crema
Instructions
- Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and cumin. Sprinkle over fish on both sides. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a grill pan on medium-high heat. Add half of the fish and cook until the edges are opaque, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until fish flakes easily with fork, and is just ever-so-slightly translucent (it will finish cooking with the residual heat). Transfer fish to a plate and repeat with remaining fish.
- Serve fish in warmed tortillas with cabbage slaw and a drizzle of crema.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Making this tonight for dinner!
Just made this tonight… phenomenal!
I have this sizzling away, preparing for dinner tonight!
Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
This was SO yummy! I’ve made this twice; this last time I used shrimp because it was on sale, perfect! I added a little cumin and onion and garlic powder to the spice mix, so good 🙂 I also quadrupled the spice mix and I use it on EVERYTHING – thanks!
Glad you like!! 🙂
can you specify how big is a ‘portion’ as in weight, size etc. i’m not sure how much to use for this recipe but i’d love to try it!
This was SO yummy! I’ve made this twice; this last time I used shrimp because it was on sale, perfect! I added a little cumin and onion and garlic powder to the spice mix, so good 🙂 I also quadrupled the spice mix and I use it on EVERYTHING – thanks!
Glad you like!! 🙂
Okay, this looks so good, I am thawing out salmon right now. My sweetie pie will think I am a gourmet.
Hi Jen! I made this last night with your guacamole and home made tortillas and it was to die for! The flavours were so fresh and delicious and it was so quick to put together. Thanks for another great recipe!
Just made this tonight… phenomenal!
Making this tonight for dinner!