Grilled Fish Tacos (2024)

You just can’t go wrong with fresh, flavorful, and healthy Grilled Fish Tacos. These fish tacos are loaded with all the best toppings, including cabbage, pico de gallo and a simple homemade white sauce, or “crema”, and they can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

Grilled Fish Tacos (1)

Oh Fish tacos, how I LOVE you! Some people like fish tacos breaded, or fried, but I personally love them best when they are grilled. The fish maintains it’s fresh, delicious taste and texture and it’s much healthier then breading and frying.

Tips for perfect fish tacos:

There are three important components to making great fish tacos: white fish, shredded cabbage, and crema (a white sauce). Other parts of this recipe are adaptable, but those three things, paired together, are the trinity of basic fish tacos.

What type of fish to use for fish tacos:

Lean and flakey white fish fillets are traditionally used in fish tacos because they are mild in flavor, cook quickly and are relatively inexpensive. Popular kinds of white fish for fish tacos include halibut, tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper, cod, bass and cat fish.

When buying fish for these tacos I try to buy filets that are thinner because they cook faster and taste better with the marinade.

Grilled Fish Tacos (2)

Finely shred the cabbage.

Cannonball cabbage (the type most commonly found at your grocery store) or purple cabbage both work great for fish tacos, but be sure to take time to shred the cabbage as thin and fine as you possibly can!

Use corn tortillas.

Authentic Mexican tacos always use white corn tortillas. Fish tacos, especially, taste really great with the that white corn flavor from the corn tortillas. I’m urging you, almost begging you, to please use corn tortillas and not flour tortillas for this recipe!

I like to serve my fish tacos on two street taco size white corn tortillas, but the regular size will also work great. Cook the corn tortillas on your grill, or in a dry skillet, for just a few seconds on each side, until warmed.

Don’t over-cook the fish on the grill.

White fish cooks pretty quickly, especially on the grill, so be sure not to cook it for too long. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts to flake easily with a fork. Also, keep in mind that it will continue to cook a little more after it’s taken off the grill.

Grilled Fish Tacos (3)

Add the white sauce, also called crema!

The white sauce in this fish tacos recipe is easy to make and really binds all of the ingredients and flavors together. Add the sour cream (or substitute Greek yogurt), mayo, lime juice, and seasonings to a bowl and stir to until smooth.

The fish marinade and white sauce can both be made a few days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Grilled Fish Tacos (4)

Toppings are king!

Good toppings is where the magic happens, and where you can really take these fish tacos from good to great! Shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro and pico de gallo are musts.

If you don’t have what you need to make fresh pico de gallo, you could substitute your favorite salsa.

We also like fish tacos topped with chopped avocado, a sprinkle of cotija Mexican cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Grilled Fish Tacos (5)

This dish is a winner in flavor and freshness, and I love that it’s a healthy dinner you can throw together in less than 30 minutes.

Hope you enjoy these delicious, fresh and healthy grilled fish tacos as much as we do.

Consider serving this with:

Authentic Mexican rice

Horchata

Semi-homemade Refried beans

Tres Leches Cake

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Recipe

Grilled Fish Tacos (6)

4.96 from 284 votes

Grilled Fish Tacos

Fresh, flavorful, and healthy Grilled Fish Tacos loaded with all the best toppings, including cabbage, pico de gallo and a simple homemade white sauce, or "crema". Ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 327

Prep 25 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

See Also
AskUSDA

Total 30 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean white fish fillets (tilapia , halibut, mahi mahi, snapper, cod)
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 1 small lime , juiced
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne , optional
  • 8 white corn tortillas

Fish taco sauce:

Toppings:

  • Pico de gallo
  • Cotija cheese
  • Shredded cabbage
  • fresh cilantro
  • avocado
  • lime wedges
  • red onion
  • hot sauce (try siracha or valentina)

Instructions

  • Season the fish with a little salt and pepper on both sides.

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne.

  • Add fish to a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over fish. Seal bag and allow fish to marinade for 20-30 minutes.

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush grill grates with oil and grill fish filets for about 3-4 minutes on each side (cook time will vary depending on thickness of fish), flipping only once.

  • Add the corn tortillas to the grill and warm for about 15 seconds on each side.

  • Transfer fish to a plate and allow to rest for a few minutes before gently breaking into pieces.

  • Serve on warm tortillas, topped with cabbage, pico de gallo, sauce and other desired toppings.

  • Serve with a side of Authentic Mexican rice.

Notes

Find my tips for perfect fish tacos, above in the post.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 346mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 440IUVitamin C: 2.8mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 1.4mg

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About The Author

Grilled Fish Tacos (11)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

Grilled Fish Tacos (2024)

FAQs

What kind of fish is best for fish tacos? ›

Lean and flakey white fish fillets are traditionally used in fish tacos because they are mild in flavor, cook quickly and are relatively inexpensive. Popular kinds of white fish for fish tacos include halibut, tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper, cod, bass and cat fish.

What is the best fish to grill? ›

What Fish to Grill. Salmon and firm, thick white fish like sea bass, red snapper, grouper and halibut are the best types of fish to grill because they are hearty. If you would like to grill thin, delicate fish, it is best to wrap them in foil instead of using this method.

Do Mexicans put fish on tacos? ›

The prototypical fish taco originated in Baja California, Mexico, and the preparation referred to in this country as “Baja-style” is similar to what you might find on the Mexican peninsula. It usually involves deep-fried white-fleshed fish, shredded cabbage, and a creamy white sauce.

What is the white sauce on fish tacos made of? ›

That tangy, slightly spicy white sauce that often accompanies Baja style fish tacos is usually made with sour cream, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Some variations have more ingredients, often including things like cumin, cilantro, or hot sauce.

What kind of fish do Mexicans eat? ›

But apart from this fact, fish or Pescado is very popular as a standalone in Mexican cuisine. And the most popular type of fishes in the dishes of Mexico is Red Snapper and Grouper. However, there are other types of fishes in Mexcian dishes, which include: Striped Marlin.

What is the best co*cktail for fish tacos? ›

Fish Tacos + Paloma co*cktail: A Paloma is a classic Mexican co*cktail made with tequila, grapefruit juice, and soda water, served with a salt-rimmed glass. Its refreshing, citrusy, and slightly bitter taste makes it a perfect pairing for fish tacos.

What fish does not fall apart on the grill? ›

Although there are no hard-and-fast rules about which fish species are best to grill, thicker (one-inch) cuts of firm-flesh fish such as salmon, tuna, and barramundi (with the skin if possible) tend to be ideal for grilling. The key is to wrap the thinner fillets in aluminum foil.

What seasonings are best for fish? ›

The Best Herbs & Spices For Seasoning Fish
  • Basil. Lemon and basil are a match made in heaven! ...
  • Parsley. Parsley is a perfect addition to pan-fried fish, with a slightly bitter aroma that can balance savoury dishes. ...
  • Dill. ...
  • Lemongrass. ...
  • Rosemary. ...
  • Thyme. ...
  • Sage. ...
  • Smoked Paprika.
Nov 13, 2021

Is it better to grill fish in foil or on the grill? ›

It's easy: Have no fear of your prized perch sticking to hot grill grates. Take the gamble out of grilling fish by making a foil basket instead. It's quick: The foil conducts heat and helps to steam fish in just minutes. It holds up: Delicate, flaky fillets can't stand up against many forms of cooking.

What kind of fish do Baja fish tacos use? ›

These fresh and delicious Baja fish tacos are filled with beer-battered cod, tangy citrus slaw and spicy garlic-lime sauce!

Are fish tacos better on corn or flour? ›

Are corn or flour tortillas best for fish tacos? Corn tortillas are the best for fish tacos.

What is the sauce on Taco John's fish tacos? ›

Taco John's is proud to use Alaska Seafood: Wild, Natural and Sustainable® for its two for $7 Alaska Flounder Fish Tacos. The new Fiesta Sauce is a creamy, savory, seasoned sour cream dip with jalapeños, onion, garlic, tomato and cilantro.

What does a fish taco contain? ›

Assemble the tacos with a few pieces of fish, some cabbage slaw, toppings of your choice, and a drizzle of taco sauce. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

What's better for fish tacos cod or tilapia? ›

The best fish for fish tacos:

We use cod in this recipe, but any flaky variety (like tilapia) will work just fine. Whatever fish you choose, we highly recommend marinating it in our simple mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin.

What kind of fish does Baja fish tacos use? ›

These fresh and delicious Baja fish tacos are filled with beer-battered cod, tangy citrus slaw and spicy garlic-lime sauce!

What is the least fishy fish for fish tacos? ›

Tilapia – tilapia is arguably the mildest tasting fish there is. It's not fishy at all and has a mild sweetness. Tilapia is easy to prepare and goes well with a variety of different flavor profiles. Cod – cod has a mild flavor that's slightly sweet like tilapia.

What kind of fish does taco Time use? ›

Fish Soft Taco

A soft flour tortilla filled with lightly battered Alaskan Cod fillets, tangy white sauce, an assortment of diced vegetables and mild salsa.

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