These Easy Fish Tacos are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. And you can’t forget to serve with creamy and spicy chipotle crema.

Easy Fish Tacos served on a wooden table

Abstaining from meat for Lent? I always crave fish tacos during the Lenten season and wanted to share a simple fish taco recipe that you can make in under 30 minutes.

You might recognize the fish recipe – Lemon Butter Fish. Sure, you can eat this fish as an entrée, but take it over the top by slicing it up, and serving it as a filling for tacos.

Taco party with plenty of delicious sides to choose from

When it comes to fish tacos it’s all about colorful garnishes like pickled red onions, grated carrots, creamy avocado slices, purple cabbage, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.  

The main meal with avocado, pepper and other delicious ingredients blurred in the background

These tacos are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. And you can’t forget to serve with creamy and spicy chipotle crema.

Lemon butter tacos beautifully presented on a wooden board

 

LIKE THIS RECIPE? YOU’LL LOVE THESE, TOO:

 

Easy Fish Tacos served on a wooden table

Easy Lemon Butter Tilapia Fish Tacos

5 (1 rating)
These lemon butter fish tacos are loaded with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned plump fish. And don't forget to serve them with my creamy and spicy chipotle crema for a serious flavor boost.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Total Time: 23 mins

Ingredients

  • 4 firm white fish fillets, about 6 inches long, 1-inch thick (recommend paiche or tilapia)
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra to taste
  • zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Chipotle Cream Sauce:

  • 1 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Toppings:

  • pickled red onions
  • grated carrots
  • avocado slices
  • shredded purple cabbage
  • sliced jalapeños
  • fresh cilantro
  • shredded cabbage
  • lime wedges
  • lemon wedges
  • corn tortillas

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, combine melted butter with olive oil and sea salt, lemon juice, and zest. Stir to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  • Evenly sprinkle spice mixture onto both sides of fish fillets.
  • In a large, heavy pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil until hot. Cook 2 fish fillets at a time to avoid overcrowding, which allows for even browning. Cook each side 3 to 4 minutes just until fish becomes opaque, feels somewhat firm in the center, and is browned.
  • Lightly drizzle some of the lemon butter sauce as you cook, reserving the rest for serving.
  • Drizzle fish with remaining lemon butter sauce.
  • In a food processor or blender, combine crema, chipotle in adobo and sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice, water, and salt until smooth; transfer to a small bowl.
  • Flake fish with a fork into pieces.
  • Heat corn tortillas on a griddle. Fill with fish pieces and serve tacos with chipotle cream sauce and garnish with toppings of your choice.

Notes

Nutrition facts do not include tortillas or toppings. 
Expert Tips:
  • Buy frozen. More often than not, any fish that you see in the "fresh fish" counter has been previously flash frozen on the boat, then defrosted for display. You're actually more likely to get fresher fish if you opt for the frozen aisle, where the fish has been consistently frozen throughout the supply chain.
  • How to quickly thaw fish fillets. If you forgot to pull your tilapia out of the fridge this morning, not to worry. Simply place the plastic-wrapped fish fillets in a bowl in the sink and run cool water over them. They should be defrosted within 15 minutes!
  • Cook 2 fish fillets at a time to avoid overcrowding, which allows for even browning. If you add too many fillets to the pan, the tilapia will end up steaming instead of getting that lovely Maillard reaction we're looking for.
Calories: 242kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 45mg, Sodium: 728mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 967IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican