Fish tacos are a delightful and fresh way to enjoy seafood. This recipe combines seasoned white fish with crunchy cabbage, creamy lime-infused sour cream, and vibrant pico de gallo, all wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, these tacos are sure to impress.
If you don't usually cook with white fish like cod or tilapia, you might need to visit the seafood section of your supermarket. Fresh fish is best, but frozen fillets can work in a pinch. Also, make sure to pick up some fresh pico de gallo from the produce section or make your own if you prefer.
Ingredients For Fish Tacos Recipe
White fish fillets: Mild-flavored fish such as cod or tilapia, perfect for absorbing the spices and providing a flaky texture.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the fish, adding a subtle richness and helping to prevent sticking.
Chili powder: Adds a bit of heat and depth of flavor to the fish seasoning.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the chili powder.
Garlic powder: Adds a savory, aromatic element to the fish seasoning.
Tortillas: Soft, small tortillas that serve as the base for the tacos.
Shredded cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor to the tacos.
Sour cream: Mixed with lime juice to create a tangy, creamy topping.
Lime juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the sour cream, balancing the flavors.
Pico de gallo: A fresh salsa made from tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime, adding a burst of freshness to the tacos.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When seasoning the fish, make sure to evenly coat each fillet with the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. This ensures that every bite is flavorful. Additionally, when cooking the fish, avoid overcrowding the skillet. This allows for even cooking and helps achieve a nice, crispy exterior. For the tortillas, warming them in a dry skillet can give them a slight char, adding an extra layer of flavor to your tacos.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
white fish fillets - Substitute with chicken breast: If you prefer poultry or have an allergy to fish, chicken breast can be a great alternative. It has a mild flavor and can be seasoned similarly.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a similar color and a mild heat, making it a suitable 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, though it will have a slightly different taste.
small tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, lettuce wraps can be used instead of tortillas.
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce provides a similar crunch and can be used if cabbage is not available.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has a similar texture and tanginess, making it a healthier alternative to sour cream.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and can be used if lime juice is not available.
pico de gallo - Substitute with salsa: Salsa can be used as a substitute for pico de gallo, though it may have a different texture and flavor profile.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze Your Tacos
- Allow the cooked fish to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
- Place the cooled fish in an airtight container. If you have multiple pieces, layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store the tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container to maintain their texture.
- Keep the shredded cabbage in a separate container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Mix the sour cream and lime juice just before serving to ensure freshness. Store them in a small airtight container if prepared in advance.
- Pico de gallo can be stored in an airtight container, but it's best consumed fresh. If you must store it, do so for no more than 2 days to maintain its vibrant flavor.
- For freezing, wrap each piece of fish individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents freezer burn and makes it easy to thaw only what you need.
- Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. Fish can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- When ready to use, thaw the fish in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid drying out.
- Warm the tortillas directly from the refrigerator or freezer in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Assemble the fish tacos with freshly prepared toppings for the best taste and texture.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the fish fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
If you prefer a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the fish fillets on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
For the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until they are soft and pliable. Alternatively, you can heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
Reheat the shredded cabbage by quickly tossing it in a hot skillet with a splash of water for about 1-2 minutes, just until it’s slightly warm but still crunchy.
The sour cream mixed with lime juice and the pico de gallo are best served cold. Simply take them out of the refrigerator a few minutes before assembling your tacos to bring them to room temperature.
Once everything is reheated, assemble your tacos by placing the fish in the tortillas, then topping with the shredded cabbage, sour cream mixture, and pico de gallo. Enjoy your rejuvenated fish tacos!
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the fish over medium heat.
Spatula: A tool for flipping the fish fillets to ensure even cooking on both sides.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder accurately.
Mixing bowl: A bowl to mix the sour cream and lime juice together.
Fork: Used to check if the fish flakes easily, indicating it is cooked through.
Tongs: Handy for warming the tortillas in the skillet or microwave.
Knife: For shredding the cabbage if it's not pre-shredded.
Cutting board: A surface to safely cut and prepare the cabbage.
Plate: To place the cooked fish and assembled tacos.
Microwave: An optional tool for warming the tortillas quickly.
Serving spoon: For scooping pico de gallo onto the tacos.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-season the fish: Season the fish fillets ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This allows the spices to penetrate and saves you prep time later.
Use pre-shredded cabbage: Buy pre-shredded cabbage from the store to skip the chopping step.
Make the sauce in advance: Mix the sour cream and lime juice ahead of time and keep it refrigerated.
Batch cook the fish: Cook all the fish at once and keep it warm in the oven while you prepare the other ingredients.
Microwave tortillas: Warm tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds to save time.
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
- 8 small Tortillas
- 1 cup Shredded cabbage
- ½ cup Sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1 cup Pico de gallo
Instructions
- 1. Season the fish with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the fish for 3-4 minutes on each side until it flakes easily with a fork.
- 3. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- 4. Assemble the tacos by placing fish in the tortillas, then topping with shredded cabbage, sour cream mixed with lime juice, and pico de gallo.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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