Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw

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These Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw couldn't be more delicious or easy for that matter. They come together in less than thirty minutes and are as good as any restaurant dish.

297 CAL 35g CARBS 7g FAT 26g PROTEIN
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Nothing is better than these Mexican Fish Tacos with Creamy Lime Coleslaw and avocado. They take less than 30 minutes and taste so good. Make them for your next Taco Tuesday and consider trying these Grilled Chicken Tacos and Steak Tacos as well.

Even when nothing is working out right in my day, I know at the very least I have a few dependable, tasty recipes I can count on to make an easy, delicious dinner. One such recipe is these Fish Tacos with Slaw.

With just a little kick of spice from the ancho and jalapeno, tons of crunch from the slaw, and a hearty corn tortilla to hold it all together. It's the perfect bite. They are also so good with this fish taco slaw and fish taco sauce.

Plus since I always have some cod or other white fish in the freezer, it's easy. The fish thaws quickly and the coleslaw recipe comes together in just a few minutes. These tacos also work great with shrimp or salmon.

Why We Love These Fish Tacos with Slaw

  • Easy: These tacos come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients most of us have in our pantry, fridge, or freezer. No complicated seasoning rubs or hard-to-find ingredients. 
  • Healthy: Fish is a great lean protein packed with nutrients. The coleslaw is full of veggies and made with a light dressing without tons of cream or mayonnaise. 
  • Versatile: Make these tacos with any fish you want including tilapia, haddock, cod, Mahi Mahi, salmon, or snapper. Swap in shrimp or even chicken in a pinch. Make the slaw with any kind of cabbage or broccoli slaw. Add in whatever veggies you like and pile on your favorite salsa or taco toppings. 

These fish tacos are so good you might not want to wait. Looking for another delicious fish taco to try, check out these Blackened Fish Tacos or crunchy Baja Fish Tacos.

Ancho fish tacos with lime slaw and avocado on corn tortillas.

Side Dishes to Serve with Fish Tacos

Tacos are great on their own, but sometimes you want a little extra something, something. Try one (or more) of the following as a side dish for your tacos.

Recipe Ideas

  • If you don't like cod, you can substitute it for one of the other fish I mentioned above. Or you can use chicken or lean beef with the same spices and toppings as well.
  • You can also use lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas if you're watching your carb consumption.
  • Try a "deconstructed" taco — put your toppings in a fish taco bowl with rice or quinoa as the base. Now what you have is more salad and less taco, still delicious.
  • If you don't like mayo, try substituting Greek yogurt.
  • Instead of red cabbage, try green cabbage or broccoli slaw.
  • If you aren't a fan of spicy foods, you can leave the jalapeno off and flavor your fish with taco seasoning or another milder Mexican spice blend like this fish taco seasoning.
  • Skip the cilantro or any other ingredient if you don't like it. Really, this recipe is yours for the making (and eating!).
  • Make them crispy with these oven baked taco shells.

Ways to Serve Fish Tacos

Okay so maybe you're not exactly in a taco mood today. I don't really understand it, but I'll allow it. Don't worry, you should make this fish anyway. It's so versatile. Try:

  • Make tasty taco bowls with greens, coleslaw, and perfectly seasoned fish. 
  • Placing the cooked fish on baked tostada shells with some mango salsa.
  • Add the fish to lettuce wraps for a low-carb taco. Add this delicious shrimp taco sauce made with cilantro, lime, and yogurt.
  • Divvy the fish up into yummy Mexican-themed rice bowls with beans, salsa, jalapenos, and corn.
  • Turn this into the best spicy fish sandwich.
  • Or you can serve it all by itself, I promise it makes a great protein addition to your meal.
  • Add a tasty mango salsa like the one served with these Mango Shrimp Tacos.

What's the best fish for tacos?

I've found that the kind of fish that holds up the best in a taco is a meatier, saltwater white fish, like cod, snapper, or Mahi Mahi. You'll want the fish you use to have a mild flavor so that you aren't stuck with an overpowering fishy flavor in all of your tacos instead of whatever flavors you'd rather be tasting.

You can also use halibut, haddock, red snapper or grouper. You could use swordfish, tuna, or salmon if you want. There are really no rules. Just keep in mind your method of cooking, as bigger fillets of fish tend to hold up better than others.

How much fish do you need for fish tacos?

This recipe calls for one pound for four servings. I consider one serving to be two tacos and you will want about 1/8 of a pound per taco or 1/4 pound per person. 

Depending on how many toppings you plan to serve on the tacos and the size of the tortillas, this can vary slightly.

Mexican fish tacos with coleslaw, limes, and avocado in toasted tortillas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions about making these fish tacos.

Many times fish tacos come with a creamy white sauce on top. To make that sauce for your taco bowls, blend together 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise, 2-3 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp cumin, salt, pepper, and a splash of hot sauce if desired. You can also blend cilantro or jalapeno right into the sauce.

If you have any leftover cooked fish, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you have leftover coleslaw, it will keep for 1-2 days in the fridge. Store in an airtight container. These recipes do not freeze well. 

The Recipe
Fish tacos with lime coleslaw on corn tortillas with avocado.

Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw

297 CAL 35g CARBS 7g FAT 26g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 15 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 35 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 lb cod (or other firm white fish)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lime, juice
  • 1/2 tbsp ancho chile powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 2 cups shredded coleslaw mix
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp low fat mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tbsp. honey (optional)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 8 corn tortillas (Use low carb tortillas or lettuce wraps for low carb)

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Instructions

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1

Season the fish with salt and pepper. Squeeze lime juice over top and sprinkle with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. Let rest for 10-15 minutes for the flavor to deepen.

2

Preheat the grill, a grill pan, or the broiler to medium high heat.

3

Stir together the mayonnaise, lime juice, Stevia (honey), and cumin to create the dressing for the slaw. Toss with the cabnbage slaw, cilantro, and green onions. Set aside.

4

Place the fish on a piece of foil and place on the grill. Grill/broil for 6-8 minutes or until flaky.

5

Warm tortillas directly on the grill, for about 30 seconds on each side.

6

Assemble the tacos with the fish and slaw. Add avocado on top.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 2 tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
Calories from Fat 57
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g
9%
Saturated Fat 1g
3%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 69mg
0%
Sodium 254mg
11%
Total Carbohydrate 35g
11%
Dietary Fiber 7g
28%
Sugars 7g
Protein 26g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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