Crispy Fish Tacos Slaw (Printable)
Golden crispy fish paired with red cabbage slaw and zesty crema for a fresh, flavorful Mexican-inspired dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Crispy Fish
01 - 1.1 lb white fish fillets (e.g., cod, tilapia), cut into strips
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
09 - Vegetable oil, for frying
→ Red Cabbage Slaw
10 - 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded
11 - 1 small carrot, julienned
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp lime juice
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 tsp honey
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Crema
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
19 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
20 - 1 tbsp lime juice
21 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
22 - Salt, to taste
→ For Serving
23 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
24 - Lime wedges
25 - Extra cilantro, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Combine cabbage, carrot, red onion, and cilantro in a large bowl. Whisk lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, pour over vegetables, toss thoroughly, and set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, blend sour cream or Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce if using, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
03 - Arrange flour in a shallow dish, beaten eggs in another, and panko combined with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a third dish.
04 - Dredge each fish strip first in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture.
05 - Heat vegetable oil about 3/4 inch deep in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry fish strips in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
06 - Place several pieces of crispy fish on each warmed tortilla. Top generously with red cabbage slaw and drizzle with crema. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The fish gets impossibly crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, and that contrast is addictive.
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, so you can feel restaurant-quality without spending your whole evening cooking.
- The slaw and crema do almost all the flavor work, which means the fish is just the vehicle for something bright and alive.
02 -
- Pat your fish fillets completely dry before breading—any moisture on the surface will steam instead of crisp, and you'll end up with soggy coatings.
- Don't skip the slaw rest time; it transforms from raw cabbage into something tender and alive once it sits with the lime juice for even 10 minutes.
03 -
- Keep your oil temperature steady by letting the pan heat fully before you start cooking, and give it a minute between batches to recover if it drops.
- If your slaw starts to look too wet, drain some of the liquid before assembling; you want crunch, not a slaw sandwich.