Get ready to elevate your taco night with these grilled Tex-Mex fish tacos. Combining the smoky flavors of the grill with a zesty blend of spices, these tacos are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. The fresh toppings add a delightful crunch and burst of flavor, making each bite a fiesta in your mouth.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up fresh white fish fillets like tilapia or cod if you don't have them on hand. Additionally, make sure you have shredded cabbage and small tortillas ready. These items can usually be found in the seafood and produce sections of your supermarket.

Ingredients For Grilled Tex-Mex Fish Tacos
White fish: The main protein for the tacos, providing a mild flavor that pairs well with the spices.
Olive oil: Used to coat the fish and help the spices adhere, also adds a subtle richness.
Chili powder: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the fish.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that is essential in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Garlic powder: Adds a savory note to the spice mix.
Paprika: Contributes a smoky, sweet flavor and vibrant color.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity.
Small tortillas: The base for the tacos, holding all the delicious fillings.
Shredded cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor to the tacos.
Salsa: Provides a tangy, spicy kick to the tacos.
Sour cream: Adds a creamy, cooling element to balance the spices.
Lime: Fresh lime wedges for a burst of citrusy brightness.
Technique Tip for Making Tex-Mex Fish Tacos
When grilling fish, make sure to oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Use a fish spatula to carefully flip the fillets, ensuring they stay intact. For added flavor, consider marinating the fish for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
white fish - Substitute with salmon: Salmon provides a rich flavor and firm texture that holds up well to grilling.
white fish - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly and absorbs the Tex-Mex spices beautifully.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it great for grilling.
chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar heat level but use less as it is spicier.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander provides a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor that complements Tex-Mex dishes.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder offers a similar depth of flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky depth to the dish, enhancing the grilled flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and a slightly different heat profile.
small tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a low-carb alternative and add a fresh crunch.
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce offers a similar crunch and freshness.
salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo is a fresh, chunky alternative that adds texture and brightness.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a similar creamy texture with added protein and tanginess.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon offers a similar acidity and brightness to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Tex-Mex Fish Tacos
How To Store or Freeze Your Fish Tacos
- Allow the fish fillets to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
- Place the cooled fish fillets in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store the tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container to maintain their texture.
- For the shredded cabbage, keep it in a separate container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and keep it crisp.
- Salsa and sour cream should be stored in their original containers or transferred to airtight containers.
- If you plan to freeze the fish fillets, wrap each fillet individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable freezer bag. This prevents freezer burn and allows you to thaw only what you need.
- Label all containers with the date to keep track of freshness.
- To reheat, thaw the fish fillets in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side or until pliable.
- Assemble the tacos just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the fish fillets in aluminum foil to keep them moist and place them on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the fish fillets on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
- To reheat the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 20-30 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
- If you have a toaster oven, you can reheat the fish fillets by placing them on a baking tray and heating at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- For the shredded cabbage, salsa, and sour cream, it's best to keep them cold and add them fresh to the reheated fish tacos to maintain their texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a crispy texture, you can reheat the fish fillets in a skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
Essential Tools for Making Tex-Mex Fish Tacos
Grill: Used to cook the fish fillets and warm the tortillas, providing a smoky flavor and char.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the olive oil and spices to create the marinade for the fish.
Tongs: Essential for flipping the fish fillets and tortillas on the grill without breaking them.
Basting brush: Useful for coating the fish fillets evenly with the marinade.
Measuring spoons: Needed to measure out the spices and olive oil accurately.
Knife: Used to cut the lime into wedges for serving.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the lime and preparing other ingredients.
Spatula: Helps in handling the fish fillets on the grill, ensuring they don't stick or break apart.
Serving platter: Used to arrange the grilled fish fillets and warmed tortillas before assembling the tacos.
Spoon: Useful for spreading sour cream and salsa onto the tacos.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare the marinade ahead: Mix the olive oil and spices the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Pre-shred the cabbage: Buy pre-shredded cabbage or shred it in advance to streamline taco assembly.
Use store-bought salsa: Opt for a quality store-bought salsa to cut down on prep time.
Warm tortillas together: Stack and wrap tortillas in foil to warm them all at once on the grill.
Batch grill the fish: Grill all fish fillets simultaneously if your grill size allows, reducing overall cooking time.

Grilled Tex-Mex Fish Tacos
Ingredients
Fish and Marinade
- 4 fillets White fish (like tilapia or cod)
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Toppings
- 8 small Tortillas
- 1 cup Shredded cabbage
- 0.5 cup Salsa
- 0.5 cup Sour cream
- 1 Lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Coat the fish fillets with the marinade mixture.
- 4. Grill the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through and flaky.
- 5. Warm the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
- 6. Assemble the tacos by placing pieces of grilled fish on each tortilla, then top with shredded cabbage, salsa, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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