I am slightly addicted to fish tacos but don't like the way that so many places fry the fish. Blackening the fish gives these fish tacos so much flavor yet keeps them light and tasting fresh!
I don't know how I made it almost 35 years before I had my first fish taco, but it wasn't until a California Tortilla opened up near my house that I had one – and from that moment on, I was hooked!
Since then, whenever we go out to eat at a “chain restaurant”, the first thing I look for on the menu are fish tacos (and a few of those restaurants have some really BAD ones on their menu).
My favorite thing about fish tacos is the delicious combination of flavors and textures. Crunchy slaw, chewy fish and tortillas, creamy sauce, spicy seasonings, and fresh cilantro and lime! They're just perfect!
Remember my creamy cilantro lime dressing that I posted a few weeks ago? Well – that dressing isn't just fabulous on salad. It is also the perfect sauce to top off these blackened fish tacos!
We used Cod for this recipe because it has more texture than thin fish like tilapia or sole. A thicker fish also holds up well to the other ingredients.
The number of tacos this makes will vary depending on the size of the tortillas you use and how much filling you like. We got six, generously-stuffed tacos!
You are going to need to make a batch of my creamy cilantro lime dressing to use as the sauce for your fish tacos!
You’ll probably have some extra slaw, but that will keep the fridge for at least 2-3 days and makes a great snack.
I actually like to use a nonstick pan for this. Most recipes for “blackening” will suggest using a cast iron pan which is totally fine. But in my experience, fish is very delicate to work with and sticks easily. Using a nonstick pan just makes my life easier. When cooked properly, you'll still get a beautiful crust of color on the bottom.
Scroll down for the recipe and Enjoy!
Blackened Fish Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Ingredients
Ingredients for the slaw:
- 1/4 head red cabbage sliced thin
- 1/4 head green cabbage sliced thin
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Ingredients for the fish
- 1 pound thick-cut cod
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Additional ingredients:
- 8 - 10 small flour tortillas
- Extra cilantro & limes
- Cilantro lime sauce get the recipe
- Salsa
Instructions
- Preheat the ovan to 350°F.
- To make the slaw, add the red cabbage, green cabbage, green onion, and cilantro to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Set this aside while you work on the fish. Be sure to give it a stir every few minutes.
- To make the fish, pat it dry with paper towels, and place it on a large sheet of waxed paper.
- Mix all of the seasonings for the fish in a small bowl, and sprinkle them liberally on top of the fish, gently rubbing it in as you go. Turn the fish over and repeat.
- Place a large, non-stick skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
- When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and the butter.
- Carefully lay the fish in the pan, and allow it to cook for about 40 seconds.
- Continue to cook the fish until it has a dark (but not black) crust of color on the bottom. Gently rotate it around as it cooks to help it evenly brown. This process should take 2-3 minutes.
- Gently turn the fish over and place the pan in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and easily flakes apart. To be on the safe side, you can insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fish, and it should register 130 - 135°.
- To assemble the tacos, place a little slaw in the bottom of the tortilla followed by a few pieces of the fish. Drizzle with cilantro sauce and sprinkle with additional cilantro.
- Serve with extra cilantro lime sauce, salsa, sour cream, lime wedges, and cilantro! Whatever you like!
Mindi has been blogging since 2008 sharing her best frugal living tips, recipes and more. When she isn't writing, she spends time as an unpaid cook, maid and chauffeur to her 3 children!
Ahh, fish tacos are my favorite! I can’t wait to try this!
this looks delicious! I love fish tacos. Pinning! 🙂
Love these fish tacos! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Yum! These sound delicious! Thank you for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
I don’t eat much fish because I don’t like it. This is amazing! Made the blackened fish and cilantro dressing. Didn’t make the slaw but used red cabbage and I’m already thinking of when I’m making this again. Thank you for sharing this wonderful dish
Made these for dinner tonight. None left, they were awesome. Added jalapeño to the slaw.
These look so great! Sharing on Twitter. Thanks for linking up at #MerryMonday!
Kim
These look delicious!! I would love it if you shared them at the Taco Tuesday link up!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/taco-tuesday-taco-inspired/#more-4188
Yum these look amazing. I love a great cabbage slaw on my tacos too.
Yum. That cilantro slaw sounds fantastic.
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Fish tacos are my soul food. I just love every single version and now I’m dying to try yours too. I’ll make it next weekend. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
I made this last night and it was delicious! I had a huge piece of cod that I cut into 3 big portions (probably 1.5 lbs total) and the rub was more than enough for all of those pieces. The cook time was perfect. We had moist flaky fish for the tacos. Rather than making the slaw in the recipe above, I took half of the cilantro lime dressing and dressed my bag of pre-cut cabbage. It was easy and perfect. Limes, cilantro and the remainder of the dressing for anyone that wanted more. There was not a speck of leftovers! Wonderful recipe!
Used my own blackening seasoning but cilantro lime sauce finished it!