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Baja Fish Tacos with Fresh Slaw and Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 107 reviews

These Baja Fish Tacos are a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring crispy fried white fish served with a tangy cabbage slaw and a creamy, zesty sauce. Perfect for a casual dinner or a weekend gathering, the tacos combine crunchy textures with fresh and spicy notes, providing an authentic taste of Baja-style Mexican cuisine. Choose to grill or fry the fish for different textures, though this recipe details a classic fried version with a light and crispy batter.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Slaw

  • ½ cup red cabbage, finely sliced
  • ½ cup green cabbage, finely sliced
  • ½ cup tomato, diced
  • ½ cup white onion, diced
  • 2 small jalapeños, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup ketchup or sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Fish

  • 1 pound white fish (cod, snapper, or halibut preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

For the Wet Batter

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 14 ounces beer (or unflavored sparkling water)

Other

  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Tortillas for serving
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Slaw: In a large bowl, combine the finely sliced red and green cabbage, diced tomato, white onion, diced jalapeños, and chopped cilantro. Add the sour cream, lime juice, salt, sugar, and black pepper. Toss everything gently until well mixed. Refrigerate until ready to use to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Make the Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped cilantro, ketchup (or sriracha), lime juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Adjust seasoning according to taste and refrigerate until serving.
  3. Prepare the Fish: Pat the white fish dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lightly dredge the fish in 1 cup of all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
  4. Mix the Wet Batter: In a medium bowl, combine 1½ cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Crack in the egg and pour in the beer or sparkling water. Whisk until the batter is smooth and has a slightly thick but pourable consistency.
  5. Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or skillet to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer for accuracy.
  6. Batter and Fry the Fish: Dip the floured fish pieces into the wet batter, coating them evenly. Carefully place the battered fish into the hot oil and fry for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  7. Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side or wrap in foil and warm in the oven briefly.
  8. Assemble the Tacos: Place a few pieces of fried fish on each warm tortilla. Top generously with the prepared slaw and drizzle with the creamy sauce. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.

Notes

  • You can substitute beer with unflavored sparkling water in the batter for a lighter, non-alcoholic option.
  • Choose firm white fish like cod, snapper, or halibut for the best texture and flavor.
  • For a healthier twist, you can grill the fish instead of frying and skip the batter.
  • The spicy jalapeños in the slaw can be adjusted or omitted to suit your heat preference.
  • Serve immediately after assembling for the best crispiness and flavor balance.

Keywords: Baja fish tacos, fried fish tacos, Baja style tacos, crispy fish tacos, Mexican fish tacos, fish taco recipe

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/baja-fish-tacos-with-fresh-slaw-and-cilantro-lime-sauce-recipe/