Irresistible Crispy Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw Recipe

Crafting the perfect crispy fish tacos with cilantro lime slaw can turn an ordinary meal into a flavor-packed adventure.

Coastal inspiration meets kitchen creativity in this vibrant dish.

Fresh white fish gets a delightful crunch from a golden, crispy coating.

Zesty lime and bright cilantro dance through the slaw, adding a refreshing kick.

Each bite promises a balance of textures that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Layers of cool, creamy slaw contrast beautifully with the hot, crisp fish.

You’ll want to dive right into this mouthwatering combination that brings restaurant-quality magic to your home kitchen.

Grab your apron and let’s make something delicious!

Why Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw Hit the Spot

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Layer upon layer of taste sensations dance across your palate with perfectly seasoned fish, zesty slaw, and crisp tortillas that create a mouthwatering experience.
• Master Quick Cooking Skills: Simple step-by-step preparation allows home cooks to transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal without advanced culinary training.
• Customize Your Meal: Flexible recipe welcomes personal touches like extra spicy jalapeños, different fish types, or additional toppings to match individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Universally loved taco format combined with crunchy textures makes this dish a guaranteed hit for family dinners, casual gatherings, or weekend celebrations.

Ingredients List for Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw

• White Fish Fillets: Mild and flaky fish perfect for creating a crispy coating.
• Corn Tortillas: Soft and flexible base for holding the delicious taco fillings.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornmeal: Creates a crispy and textured exterior for the fish.
• Chili Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Cumin: Adds warm and complex spice blend to the fish coating.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances the overall seasoning of the fish.

• Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Carrots: Provides crunchy and fresh base for the slaw.
• Cilantro: Adds bright and fresh herb flavor to the slaw.
• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creates a creamy and tangy dressing for the slaw.
• Lime Juice: Adds zesty citrus brightness to the slaw and helps balance flavors.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the fish to achieve a crispy golden exterior.
• Buttermilk: Helps the coating adhere to the fish and adds tenderness.
• Avocado: Provides creamy and rich topping for the tacos.
• Jalapeños: Optional ingredient for adding extra heat.
• Lime Wedges: Serves as a fresh garnish to squeeze over the tacos.

Step-by-Step Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw

Step 1: Create Zesty Slaw

• Green cabbage
• Red cabbage
• Shredded carrots
• Fresh cilantro

Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetable mixture and mix thoroughly until every strand is coated. Let the slaw sit and develop deep flavors while preparing the fish.

Step 2: Prepare Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Cornmeal
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour buttermilk into a separate shallow dish. Dunk each fish fillet into buttermilk, ensuring complete coverage, then press firmly into the seasoned flour mixture for a perfect crispy exterior.

Step 3: Fry Fish To Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place coated fish fillets into the hot oil, cooking in batches to maintain proper temperature. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust. Transfer cooked fish to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Warm Tortillas Gently

Soften tortillas by briefly heating in a dry skillet, turning quickly on each side. Alternatively, wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and warm in the oven for a few minutes until soft and pliable.

Step 5: Build Mouthwatering Tacos

• Crispy fried fish
• Generous cilantro lime slaw
• Sliced avocado
• Optional jalapeño slices

Step 6: Serve With Zest

Plate the tacos immediately, accompanied by fresh lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor. Enjoy the perfect combination of crispy, creamy, and tangy elements in every delightful bite.

Tips for Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw Greatness

• Customize Coating Crunch: Use panko breadcrumbs instead of cornmeal for an extra crispy fish exterior that provides more texture and golden-brown color.
• Master Moisture Control: Pat fish fillets completely dry before coating to ensure the breading sticks perfectly and prevents soggy results during frying.
• Reduce Oil Absorption: Keep oil temperature consistent around 350°F to prevent fish from becoming greasy and maintain a light, crisp coating.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free cornmeal mix to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check fish internal temperature reaches 145°F for safe and perfectly cooked fish every time.

Flavor Combos for Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw

• Gluten-Free Fish Tacos: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal mix for a celiac-friendly version.
• Baked Fish Alternative: Swap frying with oven-baking the fish at 425°F for a healthier preparation method using minimal oil.
• Vegan Transformation: Use heart of palm or jackfruit instead of fish, coating with plant-based buttermilk and breadcrumbs for a similar crispy texture.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add chipotle powder to the flour mixture and incorporate diced jalapeños into the slaw for extra heat and zesty flavor profile.

What Goes Well with Crispy Fish Tacos and Slaw

• Zesty Beverage Pairing: Crisp Mexican lager or light beer perfectly complements the crispy fish tacos, cutting through the richness and refreshing the palate with its clean, bright flavor.
• Citrus Margarita Match: Craft a classic lime margarita using fresh lime juice to echo the cilantro lime slaw's tangy notes, creating a harmonious flavor connection that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Tropical Fruit Splash: Serve a chilled pineapple-jalapeño mocktail or cocktail that balances sweet and spicy elements, mirroring the taco's vibrant profile and providing a cooling counterpoint to the crispy fish.

Best Way to Store Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw

• Store fish, slaw, and tortillas separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Preheat oven to 375°F, place fish on baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness without drying out the fish.
• Wrap tortillas in damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm on skillet for 30 seconds to regain softness.
• Keep slaw in separate container, dress just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp texture of vegetables.

FAQs About Crispy Fish Tacos with Slaw

• How do I ensure the fish stays crispy?

The key is to have hot oil and not overcrowd the pan. Pat the fish dry before coating, use high heat, and fry in batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.

• Can I use a different type of fish?

Absolutely! Cod, tilapia, or halibut work great. Choose a firm white fish that holds up well when fried and has a mild flavor.

• Is there a gluten-free alternative for coating?

Use gluten-free flour or almond flour instead of regular flour. You can also replace cornmeal with a gluten-free cornmeal or crushed gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Crispy Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy fish tacos with cilantro lime slaw deliver coastal Mexican flavors in a mouthwatering package. Fresh ingredients and zesty seasonings combine to create a perfect handheld meal packed with crunch and bright, tangy notes you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded

Coating and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk)
• Vegetable oil for frying

Slaw and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeños (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the zesty slaw by combining shredded green and red cabbage, carrots, and fresh cilantro in a mixing bowl.
2. Prepare a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and uniform.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture, tossing thoroughly to ensure even coating. Allow flavors to meld while preparing the fish.
4. Create a crispy coating by mixing flour, cornmeal, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
5. Pour buttermilk into a separate dish for dipping fish fillets.
6. Dunk each fish fillet into buttermilk, ensuring complete coverage, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
7. Heat vegetable oil to 375°F in a large skillet, creating enough depth for frying (about 1/2 inch).
8. Carefully place battered fish into hot oil, frying in batches to maintain oil temperature. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
9. Transfer fried fish to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
10. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 10-15 seconds per side, or wrap in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes.
11. Assemble tacos by placing crispy fish on warm tortillas, topping with prepared slaw and sliced avocado.
12. Garnish with optional jalapeños and serve immediately with fresh lime wedges for squeezing.

Notes

• Swap fish for plant-based alternatives like tofu or jackfruit to create a vegan version that maintains the crispy texture.
• Use gluten-free flour and cornmeal to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the crunchy coating.
• Control oil absorption by ensuring the oil temperature stays consistent around 350°F, preventing greasy fish and maintaining a perfect crisp.
• Add extra zest by mixing fresh herbs like dill or parsley into the slaw for more complex flavor profiles beyond traditional cilantro.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg