Baja California Tacos (Baja Fish Tacos)

User Reviews

5.0

84 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    25 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Calories

    642 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    American

Baja California Tacos (Baja Fish Tacos)

These Baja Fish Tacos are loaded with crispy fried fish, crunchy cabbage, pico de gallo, and a creamy fish taco sauce with plenty of lime juice squeezed over the top. All wrapped up in corn tortillas, this San Diego, California favorite is sure to be a hit in your home!

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Ingredients

Servings

Fish Tacos

  • 1 ½ pounds cod halibut, tilapia, mahi mahi, or other firm white fish
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ cups ginger ale sprite, beer, or soda water (I used ginger ale and beer is more authentic, but any of these would work)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 15 small corn tortillas

Fish Taco Sauce

  • 1 cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Garnish

  • Pico de Gallo
  • shredded cabbage
  • Lime wedges
  • chopped cilantro
  • avocados
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Instructions

  1. Whisk the ingredients for the fish taco sauce together, then cover, and refrigerate.
  2. Make the pico de gallo, shred the cabbage, and wash and chop cilantro leaves.
  3. To make the fish tacos, start by slicing the fish into ¾-inch wide strips that are about 4 inches long (no need to be exact, but you don't want them much bigger than this). Pat the fish dry on all sides with a paper towel.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, egg, and ginger ale. Mix together to make a batter for the fish.
  5. Add the strips of fish to the batter and use a spatula to gently stir it all to coat the fish evenly in the thick batter.
  6. Pour enough oil into a large skillet to fill it about 1 inch deep, then heat it over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. It is helpful to have a good candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil.
  7. When the oil is hot, add strips of the battered fish a few at a time, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, flipping the fish halfway through to cook evenly on both sides. Transfer to a cooling rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
  8. Warm the tortillas in the microwave by placing a few at a time between damp paper towels and microwaving for 45 seconds, then repeating with the remaining tortillas until all are warmed. Keep them warm by covering them with a towel. Alternatively, you can fry the tortillas to warm them by heating a teaspoon of oil in another pan over medium heat, then frying each tortilla for 20 seconds on each side until it is soft and golden, but not crispy. You will need to add a little more oil after every other tortilla until you have warmed them all.
  9. Assemble the fish tacos by adding the fish to two tortillas, doubled up. Then top with the shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, the fish taco sauce (I spoon it into a Ziploc bag and snip off the end so I can squeeze it on in squiggles), chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado, if desired. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Notes

  • Topping Recipes
  • Adapted from Carlsbad Cravings.
  •  
  • Pico De Gallo - Fresh Pico De Gallo is best, but you can use store-bought in a pinch.
  • Avocado - Serve sliced or chopped avocado on the side, or some Homemade Guacamole if you prefer.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 642kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 58g (19%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 14g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 108mg (36%) Sodium 985mg (41%) Potassium 728mg (21%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 570IU (11%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 206mg (21%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 642 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 642kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 58g 19%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14g 82%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Sodium 985mg 41%
Potassium 728mg 15%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 570IU 11%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 206mg 21%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

84 reviews
Excellent

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