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These irresistible fish tacos are bright, perfectly seasoned, and have the best sauce ever! Make this straightforward taco recipe for a totally delicious family meal.
You may also like my Shrimp Tacos, tasty Salmon Tacos, or Steak Tacos.
Why you’ll love it
My favorite part of this fish taco recipe is the ridiculously good Taco Sauce. It’s easy to make, ultra creamy, and has a kiss of lime juice and a smoky touch. It just goes so well with the beautifully seasoned, tender and flaky fish and fresh toppings!
These skillet fish tacos will be your new favorite way to enjoy taco night. There’s nothing complicated or intimidating about making them, and the whole family can help out together for a fun and super tasty meal for Taco Tuesday.
What you’ll need
For the fish
- Fish – cod is an affordable white fish that’s so flavorful when pan fried in butter
- Marinade – we’re using olive oil, lime juice, and a spice blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt
For the sauce
- Sour cream and mayo – the cool, creamy base
- Lime juice – a pop of brightness and acidity
- Sriracha – just a touch for gentle warmth
- Seasoning – we’ve got garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt for savory-smoky deliciousness
For serving
- Tortillas – I chose corn tortillas
- Toppings – my go-to ingredients are shredded cabbage (buy a small one), Quick Pickled Red Onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Cotija and jalapeños are optional.
Helpful tips
- You can make the sauce a day ahead of time. The flavors will meld even more the longer it sits, and it’ll keep for a few days in the fridge.
- The fish taco sauce contains sriracha but isn’t particularly spicy. If you’re worried about spice in this recipe, leave the jalapeño pepper out when topping the tacos, and use a mild chili powder.
How to make fish tacos
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a prep bowl, make the marinade. Add to a ZipLoc with the cod fillets and refrigerate. Meanwhile, stir together the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Adjust to taste, then place in the fridge.
Prep your toppings, and warm up the tortillas. When the fish has marinated, melt the butter in a skillet. Once hot, cook the cod on both sides until it flakes with a fork. Serve on the tortillas, top as desired, and drizzle the sauce on.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I use my trusty 10.25″ Le Creuset skillet to cook the fish.
- For the dressing, I like to use a metal mixing bowl.
- Kitchen tongs are very handy for flipping the tortillas.
Substitutions and variations
- Don’t want to use cod? Try another mild, flaky white fish such as tilapia, halibut, mahi-mahi, bass, or snapper.
- You can grill the fish if you like! Simply grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes/side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- The toppings are just suggestions. Feel free to change it up or add whatever your favorite taco toppings are/what you’ve got in the fridge. Some more suggestions are pico de gallo or your favorite salsa (salsa verde would work well), or use my Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing instead of the fish taco sauce in the recipe card below.
- Use flour tortillas if you prefer.
What to serve with fish tacos
- You can’t go wrong with some chips and Homemade Guacamole.
- My Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad with Rice would be great, or try a side of Mexican Rice. This Avocado Corn Salad is another delish option.
- Round out the meal with my Frozen Margaritas!
Leftovers and storage
- I would eat any leftover cooked fish within a day or two. Reheat slowly over a low heat.
- Leftover fish taco sauce can be stored for up to 5 days in a covered jar/container in the fridge.
- Any leftover toppings (e.g. cut-up veggies) will keep for a day or two in the fridge in a sealed container.
More Mexican-inspired recipes
Leave a star rating and review below if you made these cod fish tacos, or ask me any questions you have! Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram with your creations.
Fish Tacos
Ingredients
For the fish:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 pounds cod fillets see note for subs
- 1 tablespoon butter for frying
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For serving:
- 12 corn tortillas see note
- 2 cups finely shredded cabbage green or red
- 1/2 medium red onion chopped
- 1 handful fresh cilantro chopped
- Lime wedges
- 1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese optional, to taste
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped finely, optional
Instructions
- Prepare your fish by adding the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt to a medium bowl and stirring together. Add the cod fillets to a ZipLoc bag and pour the marinade over, then massage to coat and pop it in the fridge. You will prep the rest of the recipe while it marinates, and this will likely take 30-40 minutes, but as long as you marinate the fish for at least 20 minutes, you're good to go.
- Meanwhile, add the sauce ingredients to a medium bowl and stir together until smooth. Taste and adjust if needed (e.g. add more lime or salt). Refrigerate until needed.
- Prep your toppings and warm your tortillas. To warm the tortillas, use your preferred method or heat a dry cast iron skillet (don't add oil or butter) over medium-high heat. Once it's HOT, warm each tortilla individually, flipping once with tongs (about 30 sec/side). Place them in a clean kitchen towel or foil as you go along, and wrap them up to keep them warm.
- When the fish is done marinating, melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat (you can use the same one you just warmed the tortillas in). Once the pan is hot, cook the fish for 3-5 minutes/side or until it flakes easily with a fork, taking care to not overcook it. Break the fish up with your fork, then serve straight from the skillet to keep it warm; it'll continue to cook a bit more once you take it off the stove.
- Serve on warmed tortillas with desired toppings and a drizzle of the sauce.
Notes
- Use cod or another flaky white fish such as tilapia, halibut, mahi-mahi, bass, or snapper.
- This recipe will generously make about 12 tacos with your typical medium-size corn tortillas, but it also depends on how much you top them. If you’re making smaller tacos e.g. with mini “street size” corn tortillas, you will be able to make more. This recipe will feed 4 adults, especially if you serve it with something else like chips and guac. Leftover sauce can be covered and refrigerated if needed.
- The taco sauce isn’t spicy, and unless you use a hot chili powder or add some cayenne or chili pepper, the marinade isn’t spicy either. Omit the jalapenos if you want to keep these tacos mild.
- It’s fine to eyeball the toppings! I put quantities as a guideline if needed.
- See blog post for more tips, answers to FAQ, and more serving suggestions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Flavorful recipe!
Thanks, Megan!
I made the fish for tacos and it was a hit with my guy. He loved it. Definitely will put in the rotation.
Flavorful and very moist. I marinated for several hours prior to cooking
Thank you!
Made these last night and thought they were amazing. Thank you for such great meals
You’re very welcome, Deb!! 😀 Appreciate your review!
I made this last night! I baked the tilapia in the oven and still came out flavorful and tender. The sauce is delicious and pairs well with the cotija cheese. Will make again!
Fantastic!!! 😀 Thanks for your review, Marlen. So happy it worked out!
Could I bake the fish instead of pan seared? I’m thinking of using tilapia instead of cod
Yes. Not sure exactly on timing/temp so just do it until it flakes easily with a fork.