Description
Sizzling Baja fish tacos bring coastal Mexican flavors right to your kitchen, blending crispy beer-battered fish with zesty slaw and creamy sauce. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques help you craft an irresistible meal that transports taste buds to sunny Baja shores.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or a mix)
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients and Toppings:
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar)
- Oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced radishes
- Pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Craft a zesty breading mixture by blending flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish, ensuring a robust flavor profile for the fish coating.
- Pour buttermilk into a separate container and immerse each fish fillet, allowing excess liquid to drip off before thoroughly dredging in the seasoned flour-cornmeal mixture.
- Heat oil in a large skillet to 350°F, watching for immediate sizzling when a drop of batter touches the surface. Gently lower coated fish fillets into the hot oil, frying 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
- While fish cooks, quickly warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until they become soft and flexible, preparing them for taco assembly.
- Construct tacos by layering crispy fish pieces onto warm tortillas, generously topping with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and optional garnishes like radish slices or pico de gallo.
- Create a tangy sauce by whisking mayonnaise with fresh lime juice, then drizzle generously over assembled tacos to enhance overall flavor complexity.
- Plate immediately with lime wedges and crunchy tortilla chips, serving hot to preserve the perfect texture and temperature of your Baja fish tacos.
Notes
- Swap flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy texture.
- Opt for air frying or baking fish instead of deep-frying to reduce oil content and create a healthier meal option.
- Select mild white fish like cod, tilapia, or halibut that absorb seasonings well and provide tender, flaky results.
- Consider using Greek yogurt mixed with lime for a lighter, protein-rich sauce alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg