Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos

Name: Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos
Yield: 10 Tacos

The freshness of this fish taco can’t be beat. While tacos have been part of Mexico’s dinner table for generations, Baja California gets credit for giving them a fishy twist. Traditionally made with a lightly battered mild white fish that was deep-fried, fish tacos can be found in many creative incarnations today. I chose Tilapia, a mild white fish, because its delicate presence allows the toppings’ flavors to shine through. This recipe includes most of the traditional fish taco ingredients, but adds a secret weapon – mango sauce. The sweet and spicy taste of the sauce unites the separate notes of the taco’s flavor into a Caribbean symphony. Can’t get enough mango? Try pairing this recipe with a mango margarita – frozen or on the rocks.

Tips:

Some corn tortillas can be very thin. Sometimes it helps to use two tortillas per taco as seen in the photo.
Another method for warming the corn tortillas is by using a griddle pan. Heat the pan on the stove on medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and warm it for 1 minute on each side. This method is a little more time consuming.
Short on time? The pico de gallo, cabbage slaw and mango sauce can all be made the night before.
Leftover mango sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 4-7 days.

Ingredients

3 tilapia fillets
12 corn tortillas
1 avocado
1 tbsp olive oil
Fish Seasoning
1 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsp chipotle powder
1 tsp pasilla chili powder
1 tsp salt
Pico De Gallo
2 red tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 ear of corn
1 lime, juiced
Cabbage Slaw
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 cup green cabbage, shredded
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Mango Sauce
1 fresh mango, chopped
1-13.5 oz. can of coconut milk
1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (Lee Kum Kee)
1 lime, juiced
1/2 tsp salt

Steps

Step 1
Warm the Tortillas
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Wrap the stack of corn tortillas in foil and place them in the oven. Allow the tortillas to warm while you finish the remaining steps.
Step 2
Make the Pico De Gallo
Fill a medium pot with water and place it on the stove on high heat. When the water begins to boil, shuck the corn and place it in the boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes. Allow the corn to cool, then remove the kernels from the cob with a knife. In a large bowl, add the chopped tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, onion and jalapeño. Add the corn and the juice from one lime. Mix well then set aside so the flavors can blend together.
Step 3
Make the Slaw
Thinly shred the red and green cabbage and place in a medium bowl. Add 2 tbsp of the yogurt and 1/2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to the bowl. Mix well then set aside.
Step 4
Make the Mango Sauce
Place a medium saucepan on the stove on medium-low heat. Add the chopped mango, coconut milk, chili garlic sauce, juice from one lime and salt to the saucepan. When the mixture begins to boil, remove it from the stove. Blend the mixture with an immersion blender (or regular blender) until smooth, about 1 minute. Allow the sauce to cool.
Step 5
Grill the Tilapia
In a small bowl, mix the cumin, chipotle, pasilla chili powder and salt. Season each tilapia fillet liberally with the seasoning. Place a grill pan or regular skillet on the stove on medium heat. Grease the pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil. When oil begins to smoke slightly, place each fillet on the pan and cook for 3 minutes. Turn the fillets over and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the fish is fully cooked.
Step 6
Assemble the Fish Taco
Remove the tortillas from the oven. Place a tortilla on a plate. Put a small strip of tilapia fillet on the tortilla. Top the fish with 1 tbsp of the pico de gallo, a small portion of the cabbage slaw and about 1 tbsp of the mango sauce. Place a slice of avocado on the taco and garnish with a sprig of cilantro. Enjoy.

Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos

Ingredients

Fish Seasoning

Pico De Gallo

Cabbage Slaw

Mango Sauce

Steps

Leave Comment

or cancel reply

Similar Recipes

Archives

Categories