This fish tacos recipe features seasoned, seared fish topped with shredded cabbage, avocado, pico de gallo and a creamy yogurt-mayo sauce, all tucked into warm corn tortillas. Fast, fresh, healthy and ready in about 20 minutes.
We celebrate Taco Tuesday often at my house with a variety of tacos—slow cooker chicken, carne asada, and fresh fish. These fish tacos are simple to make at home and even better than many restaurant versions.
We have tacos for dinner nearly every week because they’re quick, customizable, and great for picky eaters. These fish tacos use tilapia fillets seared until golden, then layered with finely shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and avocado. The result is bright, satisfying tacos you can make in minutes.
How do you make fish tacos?
Start with fresh fish fillets, sprinkle them with taco seasoning, and sear in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through. While the fish cooks, prepare the toppings: shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, sliced avocado and the creamy sauce. Warm the corn tortillas, assemble by layering cabbage, broken pieces of fish, pico de gallo and avocado, then finish with the white sauce.
Tips for fish tacos
- I usually use store-bought taco seasoning for convenience. If you prefer to make your own, combine 2 teaspoons chili powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin and black pepper.
- Avoid overcooking the fish — thin fillets need about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Use flour tortillas or crispy taco shells if you prefer, but corn tortillas are traditional and add great flavor.
- A mandoline makes quick work of finely shredding cabbage, or use pre-shredded cabbage from the store to save time.
- Make homemade pico de gallo when possible for the freshest flavor, or pick up a ready-made version from the deli.
- The white sauce mixes plain yogurt and mayonnaise and can be made a day ahead to save time.
What fish is best for fish tacos?
Mild white fish work best: tilapia, halibut, cod or mahi mahi are all great choices. Tilapia is used here because it’s widely available and affordable. Cut the fish into strips to fit the tortillas, or cook full fillets and break them into 2–3 inch pieces before assembling the tacos.
What toppings go well on fish tacos?
These tacos are served with cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and a creamy sauce, but you can add or swap toppings to suit your taste. Popular additions include:
- Veggies: roasted corn, sliced olives, diced red bell pepper
- Cheese: shredded cheddar or crumbled cotija
- Chiles: roasted mild green chiles or thinly sliced jalapeños
- Herbs: chopped cilantro or sliced green onions
Enjoy taqueria-style fish tacos at home in under 30 minutes — fresh, bright and easy to customize.
More great taco recipes
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Baja Fish Tacos
- Pulled Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
- Fried Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Relish
- Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Fish Tacos with Avocado
Ingredients
- 1 pound tilapia fillets (or another mild white fish)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 cup pico de gallo (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Coat the fish with taco seasoning.
- Place the fish in the pan and cook 3–4 minutes per side, until just cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, mayonnaise and 2 teaspoons water until smooth.
- To assemble: divide the shredded cabbage among the warmed corn tortillas. Break the cooked fish into large pieces and place on top of the cabbage.
- Top each taco with pico de gallo, avocado slices and a drizzle of the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 199 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 17 g | Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 37 mg | Sodium: 83 mg | Potassium: 474 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Vitamin A: 595 IU | Vitamin C: 3.4 mg | Calcium: 39 mg | Iron: 1.2 mg
This post was originally published on June 20, 2016 and updated on June 9, 2019 with refreshed content.