Delicious Fish Tacos are made with buttery baked tilapia, piled high with colorful fresh toppings and drizzled with a creamy homemade fish taco sauce. Everything is done and on the table in 30 minutes!
If you love fresh exciting ingredients these Fish Tacos will become a favorite!
They are SO easy to make!
Unlike fried fish tacos these easy-to-make-at-home tacos are made with baked white fish!
They have wonderful flavor especially with the homemade creamy fish tacos sauce!
For an easy taco party add these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos too!
This is a soft tacos recipe using either flour or corn tortilla.
Fish Taco Ingredients
The fish for the fish tacos is simple to make with just a few wholesome ingredients.
The cool, lightly spicy, tangy sauce is easy and fast to whip up with ingredients you probably have already on hand!
Toppings are flexible and the same types you’d put on any taco.
I like this combination for the flavor, texture, taste and appearance!
- Flour or corn street taco tortillas
- Tilapia or any white fish
- Green onions
- Salted butter
- Salt and Pepper
Fish Tacos Sauce
-Sour cream
-Mayonnaise
-fresh or dried Dill
-Garlic powder
-Sriracha sauce
-Lime juice
Fish Tacos Toppings
-Purple/Red or green cabbage, chopped
-fresh Cilantro
-Tomatoes
-Avocados or Guacamole
-Lime wedges
Ingredient Notes
Ingredient NotesWhat Type of Fish to Use
You can use any type of white fish for this recipe.
Some of the more popular and accessible types of white fish are: tilapia, cod, haddock, bass, or even catfish.
You can also use salmon and shrimp for a different, yet still delicious, flavor combination.
What is a Street Taco Tortilla?
Street tacos are smaller than traditional tacos.
They are often served by street vendors and meant to be eaten in a few bites.
The tortillas I used are by Mission and are 4.5-inches in diameter. Other brands make the same size tortillas.
Use either Flour or Corn Tortillas
Street Taco tortillas are available in both flour street taco tortilla and corn street taco tortillas.
They even make a ‘carb balance’ version if that better meets your needs.
Any of these can be used for these fish tacos.
The ‘street taco’ name will appear on the tortilla package.
The corn tortillas are gluten-free.
Corn Tortilla PRO TIP: Double the tortillas for each taco if using corn tortillas.
They fall apart more easily and doubling up helps keep them together.
You can also substitute a larger tortilla and make fewer tacos than the recipe specifies.
Use Fresh Ingredients
Though I have used bottled ‘fresh’ lime juice, and frozen/thawed diced avocado, the flavor of fresh ingredients IS better.
I use a hand held lime juicer. It makes quick work of juicing.
PRO TIP: put the lime in the microwave for 10 seconds before juicing to get more juice!
Avocado slicers speed up preparing the avocados too.
Making Gluten-Free Fish Tacos
Use gluten-free corn or flour tortillas. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Street Taco Serving Size
Because street tacos are made with much smaller tortillas, plan on 2-3 tacos per person along with some side dishes.
How to Make Fish Tacos – Step-by-Step
For detailed instructions refer to the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 2: Place fish fillets on the prepared baking sheet topped with salt, pepper, green onions and 2 slices of butter (photos 1-2). Bake for 20-25 minutes until flaky.
STEP 3: Make the sauce by combining all ingredients EXCEPT the lime juice (photo 3).
STEP 4: Add the lime juice; stir to fully combine (photo 4).
Alternative Ways to Prepare the Fish
There are various ways to prepare your fish.
I prefer to bake the fish because the green onion baking in to the fish along with the butter tastes divine.
This also keeps the fish naturally gluten-free.
You can also grill, deep fry, pan fry or cook the fish in an air fryer before adding it to the taco.
Because the tilapia in this recipe is baked, it doesn’t have the crunch that a deep fried fish taco would have.
I personally like the slightly healthier option of baking instead of frying.
The way the flavors and textures mesh together make this cooking method a favorite too.
It gives the taco a nice smooth bite and texture. The fish isn’t overpowering in any way.
Assembling the Fish Tacos
PHOTO 1: Add the cooked white fish fillets to a medium mixing bowl. Break the fish into small pieces with a fork. Add a portion of a fish fillet down the middle of a tortilla.
PHOTO 2: Layer on desired toppings.
PHOTO 3: Spoon on some sauce.
PHOTO 4: Squeeze on some lime juice.
Can the Fish Tacos be Eaten Cold?
Part of what makes fish tacos delicious is the contrast of the hot-out-of-the-oven cooked fish with the cool, refreshing fish taco sauce and toppings.
It makes for a nice cool refreshing bite.
Having everything ready when the fish comes out of the oven makes assembling the tacos fast and easy.
You do not need to reheat the fish before serving.
The fish also has the most flavor when warm.
So though the fish tacos CAN be eaten cold they taste best when the fish is warm.
What to Serve with Fish Tacos – Make it a Meal
There are a variety of fish tacos sides that make a full meal.
The most popular option is beans and rice.
Fries or a grilled vegetable such as asparagus or corn on the cob are great.
A fresh summer salad is an easy idea too.
Here are some of my favorite things to serve to make it a meal:
- Easy Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cuban Black Beans and Rice (Moros y Cristianos)
- Authentic Costa Rican Gallo Pinto (beans and rice)
- Mexican Quinoa Salad with Green Chilies
- Taco Salad Ole with Avocado-Tequila-Lime Dressing
- Mexican Fiesta Cauliflower Rice
- Elote – Grilled Mexican Corn recipe
- Homemade Corn Tortilla Chips and Pico de Gallo
- Great Guacamole
- Watermelon Margaritas + Watermelon-Infused Tequila
- Blackberry-Mint Agua Fresca
How to Store Leftover Fish Tacos
These soft tacos are best served when freshly made.
If needing to store leftovers, do not store in an assembled taco.
The fish can be stored fish in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheat the fish in the microwave before assembling a ‘leftovers’ taco.
The remaining ingredients may be stored, individually packed in air tight containers in the refrigerator for the same amount of time.
More Taco Recipes You’ll Love!
- Baja Fish Taco Bowl
- Pineapple Citrus Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe & Carnitas Tacos
- Tacos Al Pastor
- Lime and Chili Fish Tacos
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Fish Tacos
Light, fresh fish tacos are easy to make and irresistibly good! Street tacos are perfect to eat in a few bites.
Ingredients
Fish Taco Ingredients
- 14 small flour or corn STREET TACO tortillas See notes on corn tortillas
- 1 pound Tilapia or any white fish
- 3-4 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Salted butter sliced
- Salt and Pepper
Fish Taco Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried dill see notes on dried dill amounts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Sririacha sauce or to taste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Fish Taco Toppings
- 1 1/2 cup purple or green cabbage chopped
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 2 avocados diced
- 1 lime cut into 8 wedges
Instructions
Cooking the Fish
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (dull side facing up) sprayed with non-stick spray.
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Place fish fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Top each fish fillet with salt and pepper, green onion, and two slices of butter.
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Cook in oven for 20-25 minutes or until fish is flaky. Set aside to cool while making the other parts of the recipe.
Making the Sauce
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To make fish taco sauce, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, garlic powder and hot sauce.
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Stir in lime juice, taste for preference. Add more if desired. Set aside.
Assembling the Fish Tacos
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Once fish is cool enough to handle, add fillets to a medium mixing bowl. Using a fork break the fish into small pieces.
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Add fish to the middle of a tortilla.
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Sprinkle on desired toppings, spoon on sauce, and squeeze fresh lime juice on top. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Serving Size: Street Tacos are smaller than regular tacos. Plan 2-3 tacos per person with other sides.
Tortillas:
- Corn or flour 'street taco' tortillas may be used.
- If using corn tortillas using two tortillas per taco will help the tortillas not break when being eaten.
- Also if you prefer a larger taco, use regular size tortillas. This will reduce the number of tacos the recipe makes.
Sauce Notes:
If using dried dill, start with 1 1/2 teaspoons. Taste and if desired add more. Dried dill will be stronger in flavor than fresh dill.
Sauce Shortcut: If you are short on time, you can use tartar sauce with a dash of hot sauce instead of making the sauce, even though it is well worth your time to make the sauce!
Toppings
Because the tacos are small the toppings should be cut into smaller pieces too. Here are a few suggestions:
- Use grape or cherry tomatoes and cut them into 4-6 pieces each.
- Instead of using diced avocado use guacamole for the same flavors, perfect consistency for a street taco and easy preparation.
Fish tacos are light and full of fresh flavor!
Erin says
I LOVE fish tacos! Will have to make these for Taco Tuesday ASAP!!
Ruth I says
I’ve never tasted fish tacos before. I bet these are delicious! SO pretty and presentable.
Myrah Duque says
It’s only breakfast time, and I want Fish Tacos! They look so good and easy to make. I might just go to the store and grab me those ingredients.
Catalina says
Tacos is one of my favorite dinner dishes> It’s fun and tasty! Perfect for a family dinner!
Stefani Tolson says
Your tacos look so tasty! I like the idea of adding that LIME!
Heather says
Fish tacos are my favorite! I had some when we went to Cabo and have been searching for a good recipe ever since.
Lisa Favre says
Fish tacos are absolutely my fave but I’ve never made them myself before. I only ever order them at restaurants. I’ll have to try out your recipe!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
Fish tacos are a family favorite, but I never make them at home. I totally need to try your recipe! It looks amazing!
Tara Pittman says
I know what I am having for dinner. I do love fish tacos and I will be making these.
Sue says
These look and sound super delish Toni ~ I may never have to visit Baja Fresh again!!
Toni Dash says
They are SO fast too!
Rebecca says
I love fish tacos! definitely making these
Angela says
I love that the fish is baked in this recipe and the homemade fish taco sauce is to die for. Thanks!!
Veena Azmanov says
Delicious Dip, Amazing topping and perfect snack too. Love everything of it.
Trang says
This is so delicious and yet healthy. Tacos are always my easy go-to dinner for something quick!
Lizet says
I loved it that I didn’t have to fry anything, but the flavor was there. And the sauce ? it was sooo good. I’ll make it again.
wilhelmina says
I love fish tacos and I knew I had to make these ASAP! They were SO delicious! I like that the flavor of the fish is not hidden under a ton of breading, it really lets the fish be the star.
Tonje says
Fish tacos is such a great way to wat more fish. The whole family loved them!
Lauren Kelly says
We love fish tacos so much! Thank you for a such a delicious recipe!