Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (2024)

Our all-time favorite Fish Tacos recipe! These are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. Don’t skip the best fish taco sauce – a garlic lime crema that you will want it on all your tacos!

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (1)

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This is our go-to recipe for family get togethers and company because it comes together quickly and it always gets rave reviews. These fish tacos are so flavorful and satisfying but you will feel good and light at the end of the meal.

This recipe is party sized and can be scaled down to feed a smaller crowd. It was developed by my brother-in-law, Slavik and it has been adopted by pretty much everyone in our family. I have had so many requests to publish the recipe so here it is! It’s an easy, excellent fish tacos recipe. Thank you Slavik for sharing your awesome fish tacos with us. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to ever get tired of this recipe. P.S. They just happen to be gluten free fish tacos!

Seriously though, be generous with that fish taco sauce! The sauce recipe was adapted from Kaylee on All Recipes. We simply doubled it because there never seems to be enough of the sauce ;).

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (2)

Ingredients for Fish Tacos:

We used tilapia but you are welcome to use any white fish. Salmon or shrimp would be amazing as well!

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (3)

Fish Taco Toppings:

*Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese that crumbles when you grate it; similar to feta but much milder in flavor and not nearly as salty. It is inexpensive and found in the refrigerated cheese section of the grocery store.

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (4)

Ingredients for Best Fish Taco Sauce:

For the fish taco sauce, all you need is sour cream, mayo, lime juice, garlic powder and sriracha. The sriracha gives it a little kick of spice so you can add more or less based on your preference. This taco sauce is essentially a lime crema – the perfect blend of tanginess and heat (print the recipe below).

How to Make Fish Tacos:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. In a small dish, stir together seasonings: 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of tilapia.

2. Lightly drizzle fish with olive oil and top each piece with a dot of butter. Baked at 375˚F for 20-25 min. If you want it to get a little browned around the edges, you can broil for 3-5 minutes at the end if desired.

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3. Combine all the Taco sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup Mayo, 2 Tbsp lime juice (from 1 medium lime), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Sriracha sauce, or to taste in a medium bowl or a large measuring cup and whisk together until well blended. It’s really fun and feels like dining out to serve the sauce in a squeeze bottle like this one.

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4. To serve the tacos, toast quickly toast the corn tortillas on a large dry skillet or griddle over medium/high heat.

5. To assemble: start with the fish then add remaining ingredients finishing off with a generous sprinkle of cotija cheese and finally that awesome taco sauce! Serve with a fresh lime wedge to squeeze extra lime juice over tacos.

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Mmmm so much sauce! I’m so crazy about this taco sauce. Seriously the best!

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⬇Print-Friendly Fish Tacos Recipe:

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce!

4.99 from 1699 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (10)

Our all-time favorite fish tacos recipe! These are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. Don't skip the best fish taco sauce - an irresistible garlic lime crema.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 24 tacos

Fish Taco Ingredients:

  • 24 small white corn tortillas
  • 1 1/2 lb tilapia
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Fish Taco Toppings:

  • 1/2 small purple cabbage
  • 2 medium avocado, sliced
  • 2 roma tomatoes, diced (optional)
  • 1/2 diced red onion
  • 1/2 bunch Cilantro, longer stems removed
  • 4 oz 1 cup Cotija cheese, grated
  • 1 lime cut into 8 wedges to serve

Fish Taco Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup Mayo
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice, from 1 medium lime
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Sriracha sauce, or to taste

Instructions

  • Line large baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. In a small dish, combine seasonings: 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and evenly sprinkle seasoning mix over both sides of tilapia.

  • Lightly drizzle fish with olive oil and dot each piece with butter. Bake at 375 for 20-25 min. To brown edges, broil for 3-5 minutes at the end if desired.

  • Combine all Taco sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended.

  • To serve the tacos, toast quickly toast the corn tortillas on a large dry skillet or griddle over medium/high heat.

  • To assemble: start with pieces of fish then add remaining ingredients finishing with a generous sprinkle of cotija cheese and finally that awesome taco sauce! Serve with a fresh lime wedge to squeeze over tacos.

Nutrition Per Serving

172kcal Calories15g Carbs8g Protein9g Fat2g Saturated Fat23mg Cholesterol215mg Sodium287mg Potassium3g Fiber1g Sugar345IU Vitamin A13.9mg Vitamin C64mg Calcium0.8mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce!

Amount per Serving

Calories

172

% Daily Value*

Fat

9

g

14

%

Saturated Fat

2

g

13

%

Cholesterol

23

mg

8

%

Sodium

215

mg

9

%

Carbohydrates

15

g

5

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

1

g

1

%

Protein

8

g

16

%

Vitamin A

345

IU

7

%

Vitamin C

13.9

mg

17

%

Calcium

64

mg

6

%

Iron

0.8

mg

4

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fish tacos

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 172

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Love Tacos? Don’t miss our most popular taco recipes here (the beef bulgogi and shrimp tacos are completely swoon worthy!)

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (11)

I’m so tempted to make these again for dinner tonight. I will never stop loving this recipe! I hope you all love it as much as we do.

Natasha Kravchuk

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (12)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce! (2024)

FAQs

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 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 is baja sauce made of? ›

Directions. Stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, seafood seasoning, and ancho chile pepper in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

What sauce do you put on fish? ›

10 Quick Sauces for Fish
  1. Get the Recipe: Parsley Sauce.
  2. Get the Recipe: Smoked-Almond Romesco Sauce.
  3. Get the Recipe: Fresh Herb Sauce.
  4. Seasoning with Herbs.
  5. Get the Recipe: Rich Ketchup Sauce.
  6. Get the Recipe: Mint Sauce.
  7. Get the Recipe: Lemon Cream Sauce.
  8. Get the Recipe: Salmoriglio Sauce.
Jun 13, 2022

What is the Mexican taco sauce called? ›

Salsa Taquera

Salsa taquera translates to “taco sauce” in Spanish. It's a popular salsa served in many Mexican taco stands or taquerias. The key ingredient in salsa taquera is the chile de arbol. This thin red chili pepper is hotter than a jalapeno and gives the salsa its signature spicy kick.

What is the most common fish used in fish tacos? ›

Try cod, mahi mahi, grouper or sea bass for fish tacos and be sure to season the batter well—that's where most of the flavor will come from. Try your fried fish tacos topped with chipotle mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, or chopped fresh onion and cilantro.

Are fish tacos better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Baja Fish Tacos: Corn

While the Baja Peninsula is in the border region where flour tortillas are still commonly eaten, fish tacos are an instance where the flavor of the corn itself comes through stronger than it does with other tacos.

Which sauce is good for tacos? ›

Cilantro Lime- Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor. That is why it is one of the best sauces for all your tacos! It is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt.

What is the creamy Baja Sauce? ›

Baja sauce is a tangy, creamy sauce and delicious condiment often associated with dishes from the Baja California region of Mexico. It typically combines ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and spices. Taco Bell contributed to its widespread popularity.

What is Mexican white sauce made of? ›

Directions. Place salad dressing into a medium bowl; gradually stir in milk until combined. Season with red pepper flakes, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and salt; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Why are they called Baja fish tacos? ›

The Baja fish taco was said to have been invented in either San Felipe or Ensenada. Some say that it even owes its roots to the immigration of Japanese fishermen who made their way to Mexico in the 1950s and '60s, drawn to Baja California's cold-water currents and biodiversity.

What three ingredients should fish sauce contain? ›

Traditionally, oily fish such as anchovies are placed in a barrel with salt and slowly pressed to extract the liquid. Anchovies are often used, although some fish sauces are also made from shrimp, krill, or mackerel. The basic ingredients of a good fish sauce are fish, water, and salt.

How is traditional fish sauce made? ›

Fish sauce is manufactured through fermentation process for 3–12 months, in which fish and salt are previously mixed thoroughly at a ratio of 1:3. After 4–6-month period, a liquid containing fish extract is obtained in fermentation tanks. That liquid is actually fish sauce.

What is the closest sauce to fish sauce? ›

Here are our go-to fish sauce substitutes:
  1. Mushroomy, umami broth. ...
  2. Soy sauce + minced anchovy. ...
  3. Soy sauce + vinegar + a pinch of salt. ...
  4. Liquid or coconut aminos + a pinch of salt. ...
  5. Vinegar + wakame powder + pinch of salt. ...
  6. Vegan Fish Sauce.

What is fish sauce usually made of? ›

Ingredients and manufacture

Most modern fish sauces contain only fish and salt, usually made from anchovy, shrimp, mackerel, or other strong-flavored, high oil fish. Some variants add herbs and spices. For modern fish sauces, fish or shellfish are mixed with salt at a concentration of 10% to 30%.

Why is it called white sauce? ›

“White sauce” is the American name for béchamel sauce, which is one of the five “mother sauces” of classic French cuisine. It is made of melted butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg. It was named after Louis de Béchameil, Marquis de Nointel (1630-1703), steward of the Duke of Orleans.

References

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