These Grilled Fish Tacos are made with tender flakey white fish, a simple spice rub, crunchy coleslaw, and corn tortillas. This dish is easy, delicious, and healthier than fried fish tacos, perfect for a light summer weeknight dinner.
Grilled Fish Tacos Recipe
First time I ever had fish tacos was in San Diego about 15 years ago. I wasn’t a fish lover at the time, like I am now, and the idea of fish in a taco sounded so unappealing. But I’m so glad I listened to my friends, because they were one of the best foods I had ever eaten. Granted, the fish was deep fried – and we all know that everything deep fried is awesome – but I consider it, dare I say, a pivotal moment in my young culinary life.
Because, you guys, fish tacos are amazing – fried or grilled – and have been one of my favorite things ever since.
Why You’ll Love This Fish Tacos Recipe
- The fish. You can use whatever fish you have on hand or is readily available at your local market – cod, tilapia, mahi mahi, or even halibut.
- The seasoning and coleslaw. The simple spice rub and crunchy kicked-up coleslaw, along with soft, flavorful corn tortillas, are balanced out perfectly with a mellow white fish. Summer grilling perfection!
- Healthier than deep fried fish tacos. These grilled fish tacos are a fantastic alternative to the traditional deep fried version. Easier, healthy, but still incredibly delicious.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you need to make these fish tacos.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Fish – For fish tacos, you want to use lean and flakey white fish fillets such as tilapia, halibut, mahi mahi, snapper, or cod.
- Dry rub – A combination of salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground coriander season the fish
- Olive oil – For richness and moisture and helps the seasonings stick to the fish.
- Slaw – Tri-colored undressed coleslaw, mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and salt.
- Corn tortillas – I use our homemade corn tortillas recipe for these, but store bought is totally fine, just make sure they’re really good quality.
- Cilantro – For topping. If you hate cilantro, you can use fresh chopped parsley instead or simply just omit.
How to Make Grilled Fish Tacos
It’s so easy to make this fish tacos recipe, all you need is 25 minutes!
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card below for details and measurements.)
- Make the slaw. In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw, mayo, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Season the fish. Combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, and coriander. Pat the fish dry and rub both sides with some oil and the spice mixture.
- Grill the fish. Prepare an indoor or outdoor grill for high heat. Thoroughly coat the grill grates with nonstick spray or oil. Place fish on the grill and cook for approx. 3 minutes per side, depending how thick each filet is, until the fish is cooked and the flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Warm tortillas. About a minute before the fish is done, place tortillas on the grill to lightly toast (keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!)
- Assemble and enjoy. Assemble the tacos by dividing the fish and slaw among the tortillas. Sprinkle some cilantro on top of each and an extra spritz of lime. Serve immediately.
Can I Make Grilled Fish Tacos in the Oven?
Yes! If you don’t have a grill (or it’s too cold outside), you can bake the the fillets in the oven at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes (depending on the type of fish, size, and thickness), or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
What to Serve with Fish Tacos
These fish tacos are good on their own, but to round out the meal, some of my suggested sides include Spanish Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, Mexican Street Corn Salad, and Restaurant Style Salsa to drizzle on top.
Proper Storage
Fish tacos are best served immediately after they’re assembled. You can however cook the fish the day before and make the slaw up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep both stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Gently reheat the fish in the microwave drizzling the fish with a bit of olive oil or lime juice to prevent it from drying out too much.
More Fish Recipes To Try
- Tuscan Butter Salmon
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Salmon Patties
- Creamy Baked Halibut
- Fish Piccata
- Sheet Pan Cod
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Grilled Fish Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 cups coleslaw
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- pinch of coarse salt
- 1 pound lean white fish fillets (tilapia , halibut, mahi mahi, snapper, cod)
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves , chopped
- 6 whole corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw, mayo, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Prepare an indoor or outdoor grill for high heat. Thoroughly coat the grill grates with nonstick spray or oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, paprika, and coriander. Pat the fish dry and rub both sides with the olive oil and spice mixture.
- Place fish on the grill and cook for approx. 3 minutes per side, depending how thick each filet is, until the fish is cooked and the flesh easily flakes with a fork.
- About a minute before the fish is done, place tortillas on the grill to lightly toast (keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!)
- Assemble the tacos by dividing the fish and slaw among the tortillas. Sprinkle some cilantro on top of each and an extra spritz of lime. Serve immediately.
I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Your recipe appears delicious and very easy to follow. I can’t wait to try it.
Loved this recipe. I would like to start to prepare more fish and this was perfect. Very simple to make and tasted great.
The recipe was wonderful! We used some mahi mahi filets that were in the freezer and really enoyed! I also took no time at all!
I don’t usually comment, but these were so very good! And easy! Will definitely make again :)
shout of from Canada. made these with fresh pike we just caught. they were great.
I love fish and shrimp tacos and make them often. Just found your website and am loving it! Thanks so much.
I’ve been a fan of fish tacos ever since we had some in a seaside restaurant while visiting Tampa some years ago. I made this recipe using Tilapia and we loved them. Thx from Vidalia, GA
Silly question, is it prepared coleslaw (like the kind already made) or just the shredded cabbage? Thanks!
Hi Sam! I used the prepared (undressed) bagged coleslaw because I wanted the mix of carrots and green/purple cabbage.
What garlic chili sauce was used, and where is it usually purchased?
It’s found in most regular grocery stores in the International aisle. I use a brand called Lee Kum Kee, but I’m sure any brand would be fine.
Can’t wait to cook this
I just made these for dinner this evening and they were outstanding! The flavor of the fish contrasted perfectly with the slaw. Seriously, I’ve been trying a lot of fish taco recipes lately and you nailed it with this recipe. These have officially made it to the official summer rotation list! Thank you!
I always feel so sad going into summer and seeing all these grilling recipes because I will never have a grill…oh life in NYC.
Just finished dinner and can say these were outstanding. The fish filets, the rub and coleslaw all had it’s own flavor. Fresh tortillas make a difference, too. This gets ***** (five stars) from me!!
I love fish tacos. These are making me hungry.
I think I even liked these better than fried. I subbed parsley for the cilantro since my family has that weird gene where cilantro tastes like soap. But no other changes. We LOVED these!
These look sooooooooo good. I love love love fish tacos! I’m going to ask my Mom to grill these, since I don’t do well with open flames. :)
This looks insanely good!! Want that entire plate, like right now.
I’ll see if they’re at my Costco today! Wednesday is Costco day!! Amy they look and sound amazing!! Married 39 years and never had a fish taco…*Hangs her head in shame*
I LOVE fish tacos and these look awesome!! Holy yum!!