Baja Fish Tacos Flavor (Printer-friendly)

Crispy fish with cabbage and creamy lime sauce on warm corn tortillas, inspired by Baja flavors.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish Batter

01 - 1 lb firm white fish fillets (cod or 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
15 - 1 tsp lime zest
16 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
17 - Salt and black 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 to 2 ripe avocados, sliced
22 - 8 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and hot sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until needed.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Gradually mix in the cold sparkling water until the batter is smooth.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C).
04 - Pat the fish strips dry and lightly dredge in flour. Dip each strip into the batter, letting excess drip off.
05 - Fry the battered fish in batches, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
06 - Gently warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or oven until pliable.
07 - Place several pieces of fried fish on each tortilla. Top with shredded cabbage, cilantro, sliced red onion, and avocado. Drizzle with creamy lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The batter stays impossibly crispy even as it soaks up creamy lime sauce, creating this textural magic that keeps you reaching for another taco.
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, making it perfect for weeknight dinners that taste like you spent hours fussing.
  • Everyone at the table—whether they're adventurous eaters or picky—finds something to love in the customizable toppings.
02 -
  • The oil temperature is non-negotiable; if it's too cool the batter absorbs oil and becomes heavy, and if it's too hot the outside burns before the inside cooks through—use a thermometer until you develop an instinct for it.
  • Batter that sits for more than five minutes gets heavy because the baking powder activates and the carbonation escapes from the sparkling water; mix it just before you're ready to fry.
03 -
  • Save your oil if you strain it while it's still warm; it'll last through several batches if you store it in a sealed container, and reusing it actually improves the flavor slightly as it picks up subtle fish and spice notes.
  • If your taco filling is sliding around inside the tortilla, you're using too much sauce; a light drizzle is all you need, and you can always offer extra on the side for people who want more.
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