Easy Fish Taco Recipe

white fish tacos with lime, cilantro and avocado

Looking for a fish taco recipe that's ready in about 20 minutes? With just a few pantry items and a fish fillet, this easy fish taco recipe is a weeknight meal lifesaver.

Course Main Course Seafood

Cuisine American/Mexican

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings tacos

Calories 254kcal

Author Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

1 pound White fish fillet
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon New Mexico Red Chile Powder or Ancho Chile Powder
salt and pepper to taste
8 White corn tortillas soft corn tortillas
TOPPINGS
Sliced avocado
Sliced red onion
Chopped cilantro
Cotija Cheese
Salsa of your choice optional

Instructions

Heat a grill to medium high heat, 400 - 450 degrees. Add a grill pan to the grill grates for easier control when cooking the fish.
Pat fish dry and then rub with olive oil.
Season with salt, pepper and red chile powder
Once the grill and grill pan are hot. Add the fish fillet. turn the heat down to medium. If the fillet has skin, place the fillet flesh side down and sear until lightly browned. Turn the fillet over and simply close the lid and let the fish cook for about 15-20 minutes or until fish starts to flake. This time all depends on the size and the thickness of the fish.
If the fish fillet has no skin, turn once while cooking. See notes below for more details
In the meantime, heat your corn tortillas. Warm the corn tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and cooking them in the microwave for for 2 minutes at 50% power.
Remove the fish to a platter and flake the meat into pieces.
Once the tortillas are warm and steamy, build your tacos by placing 1/4 of the fish onto two taco shell. Add toppings of your choice. Suggestions: Cotija Cheese, slices of avocado, red onion, or pickled red onions, a squeeze of lime juice and cilantro.

Notes

How To Heat A Corn Tortilla: You can't just take a corn tortilla out of the package and eat it. Warm the corn tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel or damp very clean cloth dish towel. Place them in a plastic zip lock bag, but don't seal the bag. Cook them in the microwave for for 2 minutes at 50% power. Then let them sit for another minute. Remove from the bag and build that taco.

How To Grill Skinless White Fish Fillets: Some whitefish fillets will come with the skin removed. In this case, brush each side of the fish with olive oil before seasoning the fish. And oil the grates or grill pan. A paper towel coated with oil works good for the grill. Grill for about 2- 4 minutes per side, making sure you've got a good sear on the fish before turning. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the fish. A good sear will insure that the fish doesn't fall apart. As soon as the fish starts to flake, it's done.

Stovetop or Oven Method to Cook White Fish: se a cast iron skillet, or better yet, a stove top grill pan. Simply heat the oiled skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the oiled and seasoned fish fillet. Cook 10 - 15 minutes, turning once, or until the fish is starting to flake. Tip: For a hands-off method. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Use a skillet to sear and crisp one side of the fish stove top. Transfer the fish to a baking sheet lined with parchment, seared side up. Finish cooking in the oven for about 15 minutes or until fish is starting to flake.

Nutrition