Tilapia Fish Tacos (Printable)

Crispy spiced tilapia with fresh slaw and zesty crema in warm tortillas

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 1 lb tilapia fillets
02 - 1 tsp chili powder
03 - 1 tsp ground cumin
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Slaw

10 - 2 cups shredded red or green cabbage
11 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
12 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 2 tbsp lime juice
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Crema

16 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - 1 tbsp lime juice
18 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
19 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Tortillas

20 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed

→ For Serving

21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Fresh cilantro leaves
23 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of fish. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, turning to coat.
02 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place seasoned fillets in the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 2 minutes, then flake into bite-sized pieces.
03 - Combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro in a large bowl. Add lime juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss thoroughly until vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, hot sauce if using, and salt in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly charred. Alternatively, wrap in damp paper towels and microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.
06 - Layer a generous portion of slaw onto each warm tortilla, followed by flaked tilapia. Drizzle with crema and top with sliced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
07 - Arrange tacos on a serving platter and serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice rub on the tilapia creates this beautiful golden crust that makes the fish taste way more expensive than it actually is
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so when friends arrive youre just warming tortillas and assembling
  • The crema ties all the fresh crunchy textures together into something cohesive and satisfying
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the fish, or you will steam it instead of searing it
  • Let the fish rest for a couple minutes after cooking, otherwise it will fall apart instead of flaking nicely
  • The slaw needs at least 15 minutes in the dressing to soften slightly and meld the flavors
03 -
  • Dry the fish thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning, or the spices will not adhere properly
  • Buy the slaw mix pre-shredded to save time on busy weeknights

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