The best crispy fish tacos! This recipe is made with fried cod, Baja cream, and purple cabbage cole slaw. Easy to make with these step by step photos.
Enjoy these fish tacos with my shredded carrot salad for a colorful and nutritious meal.
This recipe was originally posted April 25, 2017, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Easy Baja Fish Tacos
Crispy battered cod fillets, Baja cream slaw, and tortillas are what make the perfect Baja fish tacos. The slaw and fish marinade can be made in advance which makes this dish very convenient for many of us. It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner yet festive enough to serve to your guests. You can even serve it in a “taco bar” style. Just lay out the tortillas, fried fish, Baja cream slaw, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Then have your guests choose whatever they want in their taco.
How do you make fish tacos?
I’ll share my no-fail recipe with you. Every single spice and ingredient adds something unique that you won’t forget. My two favorite things about these tacos are the crispy fish and the tangy purple slaw. Together they are a stunning and beautiful mixture.
Crispy Fish Taco Ingredients
Make sure you have these items on hand when you want to make your fish tacos.
- Cod Fillet
- Buttermilk
- Cayenne Pepper
- Chili powder
- Lime
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Oil
- Sour Cream
- Mayo
- Rice Vinegar
- Cabbage
- Carrot
Baja Cream Sauce
According to NPR, fish tacos originated in Baja, California, Mexico. The combination of a crispy battered fish with the slaw and the creamy sauce all started in one of two cities on that scenic peninsula. Street vendors invented the culinary masterpieces.
What is in Baja cream sauce? It has a combination of creams and spices that is incredibly unique.
Fish Taco Toppings
Since their invention, fish tacos have always had a crunchy slaw topping. But what else can you put on a fish taco?
You can also top them with these ideas too:
- Spicy chili sauce
- Cool avocado sauce
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
How to Make Crispy Fish Tacos
You’ll find the entire recipe at the very bottom of this post. But here is a quick overview of what to expect when you make your own tacos.
1. Combine the buttermilk, cayenne pepper, chili powder, lime zest, garlic, black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
2. Cut the cod fillet into strips and submerge them in the buttermilk marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. Meanwhile, begin making the Baja cream by combining the sour cream, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, black pepper, and 1 grated garlic clove.
4. Chop the cabbages, carrot, and cilantro. Then place them into a bowl and toss it with the Baja cream (This will be your slaw).
5. Combine flour and baking powder.
6. Fill a skillet with about 1-2 inches of oil and bring it to medium-high heat.
7. Dredge each cod fillet into the flour mixture and fry in the hot oil about 2-3 minutes per side. Then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
8. Assemble your tacos immediately. Using the tortilla of your choice (corn or flour) add the Baja cream slaw, then place 2 crispy cod fillets and top it with extra cilantro, pico de gallo, or guacamole.
Fish Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
For the fish
- 1 1/2-2 lb cod fillets
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- zest of 1 lime
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- Oil for deep frying vegetable, canola, or corn oil work
Dressing for fish taco slaw
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
- 1 clove garlic
Slaw vegetables
- 1/2 regular cabbage
- 1/2 purple cabbage
- 1 carrot large
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Corn or flour tortillas for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine 2 cups buttermilk, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, zest of 1 lime, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
- Cut 1 1/2 lb cod fillets into strips and submerge them in the buttermilk marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the cabbage slaw dressing by combining 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 pressed garlic clove in a bowl.
- Finely chop or shred 1/2 regular cabbages,1/2 purple cabbage, 1 large carrot carrot, and 1/4 cup cilantro. Place it into a bowl and toss it with the dressing cream. This will be the cabbage slaw. Then cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve with the fish tacos.
- In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp baking powder.
- Fill a deep skillet or heavy bottomed pot with about 1-2 inches of corn, canola, or vegetable oil and bring it to medium high heat or 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. It's best to monitor the oil temperature with an instant-read thermometer using the entire frying process.
- Dredge each cod fillet into the flour mixture and fry in the hot oil about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb and excess oil.
Notes
- How to freeze and bake later (total time saver!)
- Add-ins and substitutes
- Frying tips for perfectly crispy fish
Nutrition
More Fish Recipes
Want more seafood recipe ideas? Try one of these next:
- Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - July 31, 2021
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo - July 29, 2021
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - July 28, 2021
Marilyn Davis says
I loved this recipe, while I used regular milk since I didn’t have buttermilk and decided to make the cabbage pickled , this recipe was AMMAAZZING! I will definitely make it again. The garlic sauce was on point.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you so much Marilyn! I really appreciate your feedback 🙂 Glad to hear you loved these fish tacos and that you will be making them again! 🙂 I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂
Bożena says
Looks wonderful and tastes even better! Very easy to prepare. Thank you.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Bożena!