Grilled Fish Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
Grilled Fish Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce make taco night even better! The fish tacos sauce with creamy avocado, sour cream and cilantro make it tasty!
Grilled Fish Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce make taco night even better! The fish tacos sauce with creamy avocado, sour cream, and cilantro make it tasty!
Note: This post first appeared on June 5, 2014. The recipe was updated from the archives with updated content and photographs, as well as improved kitchen notes and recipe annotation. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
Hitting a Wall
When your butcher comments that he’s seen more of your husband than you recently, you know it must be true. You’ve been in a rut.
A food rut.
I hit a wall recently, where my appetite was well-intentioned but never satisfied. I found myself turning to old favorites only to find that I couldn’t even cook those well. Dishes here and there were considered utter failures. There were little glimmers of hope scattered between meals. I made some amazing buttermilk fried oysters in a delicious aioli and some cherry Nutella scones. But overall, I wasn’t feeling it.
I would go to the store and nothing looked appetizing. So my husband went instead.
Finding Inspiration
It’s okay. I go through these phases every so often, do you? When it does, I use it to recalibrate and listen to my family’s cravings. And I wait. Because something will inspire me, eventually.
It turns out that all I needed to do was to turn to my favorite flavors. Jalapeños, cilantro, avocados, and garlic. My husband had a craving for grilled fish tacos, and when he came home with some lovely slabs of mahi-mahi, I found myself excited again. A subtle marinade, deliciously creamy avocado-cilantro sauce, and loads of brilliant, crunchy red cabbage. It all came together and excited me once again. It was delicious.
Making Grilled Fish Tacos
I felt the shift as my knife pushed through the red cabbage. The simple act of slicing to reveal ribbons of purple and white brought wonder – how clever is Mother Nature? Such a beautiful vegetable – why don’t I cook with red cabbage more often?
Tacos – everyone can agree on that, right? The mahi-mahi was utterly fresh, as good as it can get when you’re on the mainland. But you know what I loved best? That creamy avocado-cilantro sauce. A little bit garlicky, and simply velvety from the avocado, it was a refreshing twist to a dollop of plain crema or sour cream. Smothered in the taco shell, it just bound all the crunchy red cabbage, red onion, and radishes together so beautifully.
Ah, it’s good to be back. If you happen to find yourself stuck if everything else is tried and true, and perhaps even a little bit boring, I hope you try these Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Sauce. It just may do the trick.
HOW TO MAKE GRILLED FISH TACOS WITH AVOCADO-CILANTRO SAUCE
Grilled fish tacos are a delicious twist on taco night! What makes this recipe shine is the avocado-cilantro sauce!
- In the bowl of a food processor, blend the garlic and salt until finely chopped. Add the sour cream, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Marinate the fish in olive oil, lime juice, Sriracha, jalapeño, cilantro, and salt. Grill the fish on medium-high heat, 5 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and let it rest on a plate.
- Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. To serve, slice or flake apart the fish and place several pieces on the tortilla shells. Garnish with sauce and toppings.
MORE TACO RECIPES TO TRY
Chipotle-Spiced Sweet Potato Tacos
Taco Frittata
Baked Egg Taco Boats with Pulled Pork, Potatoes and Kale
Oven-Fried Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Quick Pickled Cabbage
Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Jicama Slaw
Note: This Fish Tacos with Avocadoo-Cilantro Sauce post first appeared on June 5, 2014. The recipe has been updated from the archives with updated content and photographs, as well as improved kitchen notes and recipe annotation. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
Grilled Fish Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
Ingredients
For the Fish Tacos
- 2 pounds meaty white fish fillets I prefer mahi-mahi or halibut
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 jalapeno chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 corn-flour tortilla shells
For the Avocado-Cilantro Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup light sour cream
- 1 ripe avocado pitted and peeled
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- juice of 1/2 lime
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
For the Garnish
- Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
- 1 cup Red cabbage shredded
- 1/3 cup Red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup Radishes thinly sliced
- 1 Avocado pitted, peeled and sliced
- 1 lime sliced in wedges
- 1/2 cup Cilantro leaves
- Sriracha or hot sauce
Instructions
Make the Grilled Fish Tacos
- Whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, sriracha, jalapeno, cilantro, and salt in a large, shallow dish. Marinate the fish for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the grill on high heat.
- Place the marinated fish flesh side down onto the grill. Lower the heat to medium-high. Cook for about 5 minutes, then gently release the fish from the grill and flip. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the fish is flakey when the tip of a knife is inserted into the fish. Remove fish from the grill and let it rest on a plate.
Make the Avocado-Cilantro Sauce
- In the bowl of a food processor, blend the garlic and salt until finely chopped. Add the sour cream, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust the seasoning if necessary with salt and pepper. The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Assemble the Fish Tacos
- Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the Avocado-Cilantro Sauce on the tortillas. Slice or flake apart the fish and place several pieces on the tortilla shells. Garnish as you wish and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
This is my favorite fish taco recipe. I use talapia because it’s easy to get and not expensive other than that I make it as is and love it. A must try.
Hi Shari! Tilapia is a great, affordable substitute! I’m so glad that you love the fish taco recipe and appreciate you coming back to let me know!
fish tacos
Fish Tacos
Hi! I believe you probably meant to share/email this recipe, but it looks like you left a comment instead! Next time, there is an email button under the “Share This” part under the recipe card that should help. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
This fish taco recipe tops them all! The flavors are delicious and complex and the sauce is absolutely amazing. I used the rest of the sauce on eggs the next day. My husband says they are the best fish tacos he’s ever had…definitely will be making these again!
Thank you SO much, Darcylynn! I’m so happy that you love it as much as we do!
I’ve made several different fish taco recipes, but this tops themALL!! The complexity of flavors complements the fish perfectly. The space is absolutely delicious & I can imagine using it on eggs, veggies…anything! I followed the recipe exactly, no need to change anything.
Obviously spellcheck turned my word “sauce” into “space”. To clarify…the SAUCE was fabulous! I used the leftover today on sandwiches as a tasty spread.
Haha, I totally understood! Thank you again! I do love how versatile the sauce is — so glad you enjoyed it on your sandwiches! ☺️
This means the world to me! Thank you! Funny enough, the day you commented, we had the same fish tacos for dinner! Never gets old!
Oh my – the sauce is just amazing! I grilled Halibut; just brushed it with olive oil and lime juice, salt and pepper. Made a crunchy slaw of iceburg lettuce, grated carrot, green onion and cilantro. Heated the shells, added some sauce, fish, crunchy slaw, more sauce. AMAZING!
The sauce is my favorite part! SO glad you liked it!
I didn’t try the tacos, but I loved the avocado/cilantro sauce! I added a little half & half to thin it a bit, and some minced jalapeno. Went marvelously with the carnitas I made last weekend.
So glad you liked the avocado-cilantro sauce, Carlos! It’s definitely a versatile topping!
Hi, this looks great! The nutrition info posted…is that per serving? Or for the entire recipe?
Hi Gill, the nutrition info is per serving. However, I should mention that this takes into consideration the avocado sauce, which is a very generous portion; you can certainly control the calories here. Hope that helps!
I never comment on things on the internet l, but I feel very strongly about these fish tacos. I’ve made these at least a dozen times since I found the recipe 6/2017. I’ve made it for family and friends and everyone loves it. I could eat this for three meals a day (and I have with leftovers!) The Avacado Cilantro Sauce just makes it!! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe- I am a bit obsessed. It’s a homerun!
Kelly, thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave such a lovely comment, that means so much! I’m so happy that the fish tacos have become a favorite at your house as much as they are at mine! Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Try it
Very good
Thank you, Pam!
Fish taco recipe
That sauce is such a perfect pair with fish tacos! Yum!!
This sauce sounds soooooo tasty! It makes my normal fish tacos sounds really boring. Can’t wait to try it!
Time to pick up some mahi-mahi and make this favorite at home! Your recipe is perfection!!
Love the recipe, gonna tried myself!
i am fond of eating like fishes and white meat, and my mother is usually made for me and i enjoyed it alot with her hand…
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Wow this looks so yummy! love your photos and love the dish. Im from Australia, and Mexican food is not big here at all. I grew up eating store bought tacos with mince, tomato and ice berg lettuce, and I thought that was what Mexican food was. I have realised that Mexican food is way more interesting and tasty than the store bought stuff. I’ll have to try this one out!
I totally get into a rut, and I’m in awe of those who don’t. We had eggs for dinner last night because I didn’t feel like cooking. Now looking at these fish tacos, Liren, I have a new idea for something I’ve been struggling with. Radishes!
I made the Fish Taco last night. It was great! My husband especially liked it. Great low-cal dinner and filling also.
Hi, This post was featured on the Corr Chilled Best in Food Blogging post here https://www.corrchilled.co.uk/index.php?route=pavblog/blog&id=66 if you’d like to check it out. We love this recipe! :) -Adam
That sauce. Swoon.
I go through it as well but you certainly came through the wall! Love this!
I could eat fish tacos every day and these look amazing!
Love the avocado cilantro sauce here, so amazing! Happy week-end!
Love these tacos, I might just show up for dinner! ;)
These look amazing Liren!! I LOVE fish tacos, so tasty in the summer! And the avocado dip – *drool*
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
I think the sauce would do it for me too, so great for these fish tacos! So glad you were inspired to make these! Have a great weekend:)
Welcome back. Lol. What a wonderful way to get back in the groove.
That sauce looks luxuriant enough to be a face mask. Ha!
I am a fish taco nut. So I pinned this one.