Crispy Grilled Fish Tacos (Printable)

Crispy or grilled fish paired with crunchy cabbage slaw and creamy citrus sauce in soft tortillas.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 1.1 pounds white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock)
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying or brushing if grilling)
08 - Optional for breading: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Tortillas

09 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas

→ Slaw

10 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
11 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - Juice of 1 lime
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - Pinch of salt

→ Creamy Sauce

16 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
18 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
19 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
20 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnishes

22 - Lime wedges
23 - Extra cilantro, chopped

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Toss thoroughly and set aside to marinate.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce (if using), honey, salt, and pepper until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry and cut into strips. Season with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper on all sides. For breaded fish, dredge strips in flour, dip into beaten egg, then coat with panko breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook fish 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. For grilling, brush fish with olive oil and grill over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes per side.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or wrap in foil and warm in the oven until pliable and hot.
05 - Place a generous amount of slaw on each warm tortilla, top with cooked fish strips, drizzle with creamy sauce, then garnish with extra chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy seasoned fish and cool tangy slaw is absolutely addictive
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like a restaurant meal
  • You can customize the heat level and toppings to please everyone at your table
02 -
  • Dry your fish thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning—wet fish will steam instead of getting that beautiful golden crust
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the fish or the temperature will drop and you will lose the sear
  • Let the slaw marinate at least 15 minutes for the best texture and flavor integration
03 -
  • Corn tortillas can be prone to tearing—warm them longer and handle them gently when folding
  • For extra crispy fish without deep frying, finish it under the broiler for 1 minute after pan-frying
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