Tilapia Fish Tacos

Light, easy and flavorful, tilapia fish tacos are made with flaky, baked tilapia and finished a garlic lime fish taco sauce. They are a favorite weeknight dinner!

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 40

Servings: tacos

Ingredients

Fish Taco Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
3 Tablespoons lime juice (2 limes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon sriracha sauce , plus more to taste

Fish Tacos

2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds tilapia filets , bones removed, or other white fish *see notes
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter , cut into small slices

Tortillas + Toppings

12 6-inch flour or corn tortillas
Finely shredded cabbage
Pico de gallo , optional
2 medium avocado , sliced
4 ounces cotija cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges

Instructions

Fish Taco Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 3 Tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon sriracha. Chill until ready to use.

Fish Tacos

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a shallow bowl, stir together 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teapsoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne.
Dredge the tilapia in the spice mixture until well coated on each side. Place on baking sheet.
Drizzle tilapia with 1 Tablespoon olive oil and dot with 1 Tablespoon butter. Cook 20 to 25 minutes, or until flakes easily with a fork and is no longer translucent in the center. A digital thermometer should read 140°F at the thickest part. To brown the edges, broil an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Tortillas + Toppings

In a small skillet over medium-high heat, warm the tortillas. Lay 1 tortilla flat and spread the sauce on the inside. Add tilapia and top with cabbage, pico de gallo, if using, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Notes

White fish: This recipe also works well with cod, rockfish or halibut.

Other ways of cooking:

Grill. Preheat a grill to medium-high, lightly oil the grates (or use a grill basket), and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Air Fryer. Preheat an air fryer to 370°F. Lightly grease basket. Add fish in a single layer and cook 6 to 7 minutes. You may have to do this in batches.
Stovetop. Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the fish in a single layer, and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side. Be careful not to crowd the pan. You may need to do this in batches.

Nutrition