Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Easy Fish Taco Recipe, infused with vibrant Cajun seasoning, delivers a fantastic balance of spice and rich flavor. While it might appear to have several components, don’t be fooled – you can have these delightful tacos on your table in under thirty minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings.
SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
If you’re a fan of the bold, aromatic profiles of Cajun cuisine, you’ll also adore our Cajun Sausage Pasta.
Mastering the Easy Fish Taco Recipe with Cajun Seasoning
Why limit the joy of tacos to just Tuesdays? In our kitchen, every day is an excellent opportunity to indulge in these versatile and satisfying handheld delights. Tacos are, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite foods, and I seize any chance to whip up a batch.
This Easy Fish Taco Recipe with Cajun Seasoning stands out for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, and most importantly for any home cook, it’s incredibly quick and straightforward. Despite the visual impression of many ingredients, the entire dish comes together with surprising speed. Secondly, these tacos have consistently been a massive hit with my family. While every household has its picky eaters, the overwhelming consensus has been one of pure enjoyment. In fact, I’ve prepared this recipe twice within a fortnight, and both times, every single taco vanished! This resounding success only further solidifies the argument for celebrating tacos more often.
The beauty of these Cajun fish tacos lies in their perfect blend of crispy, seasoned fish, a refreshing slaw, and a tangy lime crema, all nestled within warm tortillas. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of New Orleans with a coastal twist.
Choosing the Best Fish for Your Tacos
Selecting the right fish is crucial for truly exceptional fish tacos. While the ultimate choice might depend on your desired flavor profile and texture, a general rule of thumb is to opt for firm, white-fleshed fish. For this particular Cajun fish taco recipe, I personally used cod, and it performed beautifully, flaking perfectly and absorbing the seasoning with ease.
However, the versatility of fish tacos means you have many excellent alternatives. Consider options like tilapia, mahi-mahi, halibut, snapper, or even catfish. These varieties are typically mild in flavor, which allows the bold Cajun seasoning to shine through without being overpowered. Their firm texture also ensures they hold up well during cooking and flaking, preventing them from becoming mushy in your tacos.
While white fish is generally preferred for its mildness and quick cooking time, don’t be afraid to experiment. I once had a college roommate who made incredibly delicious salmon tacos. Salmon, with its richer flavor and oilier texture, can certainly work as a substitute here. Just be aware that the taste will be slightly different from a traditional white fish taco, offering a more pronounced fish flavor that some truly enjoy. Regardless of your choice, aim for fresh, high-quality fillets for the best results. Look for fish that smells fresh, not “fishy,” and has firm, glistening flesh.
Crafting the Perfect Cajun Fish Taco Slaw
A great slaw is an indispensable element of any fish taco, providing a refreshing crunch and a burst of complementary flavors. While my version of fish taco slaw isn’t strictly traditional, its unique blend of ingredients, especially the addition of Cajun seasoning, makes it incredibly delicious and versatile enough for any fish taco.
- Broccoli Slaw Mix: This convenient pre-packaged mix, typically found in the produce section alongside other bagged slaws, is a fantastic shortcut. It usually contains shredded broccoli stems, red cabbage, and carrots, offering a vibrant mix of colors and textures. If you can’t find it, a standard coleslaw mix with some added shredded broccoli works too.
- Red Bell Pepper: While any color of bell pepper can be used, the vivid red adds a beautiful pop of color and a subtly sweet, crisp texture that contrasts wonderfully with the spicy fish.
- Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of our slaw dressing, binding all the ingredients together and providing a rich mouthfeel. If you’re looking to lighten things up, feel free to reduce the amount or use a lighter mayonnaise alternative.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Always opt for fresh over bottled lemon juice. Its bright, acidic notes cut through the richness of the mayonnaise and provide a zesty counterpoint to the Cajun spice.
- Sugar: Don’t skip this seemingly odd ingredient! A small amount of sugar is essential for balancing the acidity of the lemon juice and the heat of the Cajun seasoning, creating a well-rounded flavor profile for the slaw. It truly elevates the entire dish.
- Cajun Seasoning: This is the secret weapon that transforms a regular slaw into something extraordinary for these fish tacos. While not typically found in classic fish taco slaws, this flavorful spice blend infuses the slaw with a warm, complex, and slightly spicy kick that ties all the elements of the taco together.
Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cajun Fish Tacos at Home
Making delicious fish tacos at home is far simpler than you might imagine. With a few easy steps, you’ll be enjoying these flavorful creations in no time.
- Prepare the Fish: Begin by preheating your broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, then place a cooling rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Season and Cook the Fish: In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and a portion of the Cajun seasoning. Dredge each fish fillet thoroughly in this mixture, ensuring all sides are coated. Place the coated fillets on the prepared baking rack. Broil the fish for about 8 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Whip Up the Slaw: While the fish is broiling, prepare your vibrant slaw. In a medium bowl, combine the broccoli slaw mix, thinly sliced red bell pepper, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Prepare the Creamy Drizzle: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and lime juice until smooth. For easy drizzling, you can transfer this mixture to a small ziplock bag, snip off one corner, and pipe it over your tacos.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Once all components are ready, it’s assembly time! Lay out your warmed tortillas. Flake the cooked fish into chunks using a fork and distribute it evenly among the tortillas. Top generously with the flavorful Cajun slaw. Finally, drizzle with the tangy lime sour cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus. This fish taco recipe truly is incredibly satisfying!
For an even more authentic experience, consider charring your flour tortillas slightly over an open flame or in a dry hot pan for a minute or two on each side. This adds a wonderful smoky flavor and softer texture.
Explore More Delicious Taco Creations
If you’ve fallen in love with taco night, we have plenty of other exciting recipes to keep your rotation fresh and flavorful. From seafood to hearty beans, there’s a taco for every craving:
- Coconut Shrimp Taco Recipe with Mango Salsa: A sweet and savory delight with a tropical twist.
- Baja Fish Taco Recipe: A classic, light, and refreshing take on fish tacos.
- Crispy Black Bean Tacos: A vegetarian-friendly option packed with flavor and texture.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos: Effortless and incredibly tender, perfect for meal prep.
- Fried Fish Tacos: For those who love a golden, crispy coating on their fish.
- Taco Dogs: A fun, kid-friendly fusion that’s perfect for casual gatherings.
Essential Tools for Making This Easy Fish Taco Recipe
Having the right kitchen tools can make a significant difference in the ease and success of your cooking. For this recipe, I highly recommend using a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet when broiling the fish. This setup is key to achieving that desirable crispiness on all sides of the fish, as it allows air to circulate evenly around the fillets. A good quality shallow bowl for dredging the fish and a whisk for the drizzle are also helpful to ensure smooth, lump-free mixtures.
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Easy Fish Taco Recipe with Cajun Seasoning
Rated 5 stars from 2 votes
Author: Deborah Harroun
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Pin Recipe
Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this Easy Fish Taco Recipe with Cajun Seasoning has the perfect hit of spice and lots of flavor. There are several elements to this recipe, but you can still have these tacos on the table in well under half an hour!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 4 (6 oz each) cod filets*
- 3 cups broccoli slaw mix
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas, charred if desired
- Cilantro leaves and lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil, then place a baking rack on top. Spray lightly with nonstick spray.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and 2 teaspoons of the Cajun seasoning. Take each of the fish filets and dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides. Place on the baking sheet.
- Broil the fish until it is cooked through and flakes easily, about 8 minutes.
- While the fish is cooking, combine the broccoli slaw, bell pepper, mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the lime juice.
- When the fish is done, use a fork to break it apart into chunks.
- To serve, place some of the fish down the center of each tortilla. Top with some of the broccoli slaw mixture. Drizzle with the lime sour cream. Top with cilantro leaves, and serve with lemon slices.
Recipe Notes:
I used cod for this fish taco recipe, but you could use any firm white fish.
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2 tacos, Calories: 688kcal (34%), Carbohydrates: 64g (21%), Protein: 32g (64%), Fat: 33g (51%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 108mg (36%), Sodium: 1535mg (67%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 6g (7%)