Baja Fish Tacos (Printable)

Crispy battered white fish with crunchy cabbage and zesty lime sauce in warm tortillas.

# What You Need:

→ Fish Batter

01 - 1 lb firm white fish fillets (e.g., cod, halibut), cut into 1-inch strips
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
04 - 1 tsp baking powder
05 - 1 tsp kosher salt
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 cup cold sparkling water
10 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Creamy Lime Sauce

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
14 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
15 - 1 tsp lime zest
16 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings and Assembly

18 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
19 - 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
20 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1–2 ripe avocados, sliced
22 - 8 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
23 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How-To:

01 - Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and hot sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until needed.
02 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Gradually mix in cold sparkling water until smooth.
03 - Pour vegetable oil to about 1 inch depth in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F.
04 - Pat fish strips dry and lightly dredge in flour. Dip pieces into batter, letting excess drip off before frying.
05 - Fry fish in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
06 - Heat tortillas briefly in a dry skillet or oven until pliable and warm.
07 - Place fried fish onto each tortilla. Top with cabbage, cilantro, red onion, and avocado. Drizzle with creamy lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The batter gets impossibly crispy on the outside while the fish stays tender inside—that textural contrast is addictive.
  • You can prep the sauce and toppings ahead, so assembly happens in minutes when you're ready to eat.
  • It feeds a crowd without requiring you to time multiple dishes, and everyone gets to build their own custom taco.
02 -
  • The biggest mistake people make is using warm water for the batter or oil that's not quite hot enough—both result in greasy, limp fish instead of crispy perfection.
  • Don't assemble the tacos too far ahead because the warm fish will soften the tortillas; build them just before eating for the best texture contrast.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can fry the fish ahead and reheat it briefly in a 350°F oven for just a few minutes—it'll crisp back up beautifully.
  • For a healthier spin without sacrificing much crispiness, brush the battered fish with oil and bake it at 425°F on a lined tray for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
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