Embark on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed beaches of Baja, Mexico, where flavors dance in perfect harmony. Baja-style fish tacos, a symphony of crispy fried fish, nestled in warm corn tortillas, await your taste buds. This tantalizing dish tantalizes with its vibrant colors and tantalizes with every bite. Accompanied by a symphony of salsas, from the fiery heat of habanero to the refreshing coolness of pico de gallo, these tacos are an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Dive into the recipes within this article and discover the secrets to creating this Baja-style fish taco experience in your own kitchen! Learn how to expertly fry the fish to achieve that perfect golden-brown crust, while keeping the inside moist and flaky. Explore the art of making homemade corn tortillas, capturing the authentic taste and texture that elevates this dish. Experiment with a variety of salsas, each offering a unique flavor profile that complements the fish tacos perfectly. Whether you prefer the smoky heat of chipotle salsa or the tangy sweetness of pineapple salsa, you'll find recipes for every palate. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and prepare to transport your taste buds to the vibrant shores of Baja, Mexico.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
BAJA STYLE FISH TACOS
Provided by Marcela Valladolid
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- For the Beer Batter:
- Mix the flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually add in the beer while whisking. Set aside and let the batter rest for 15 minutes before using.
- For Cream Sauce:
- Add the mayonnaise and crema to a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon zest, lemon juice and water. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper (can be made 3 days ahead, covered and refrigerated).
- For the Fish:
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, add enough oil to reach a depth of 1-inch. Heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F or when the end of a wooden spoon sizzles when inserted into the oil.
- On a large plate, combine the flour and salt. Season the fish pieces all over with salt and pepper and coat with the flour. Working in batches, dip the fillets in the beer batter and coat on both sides. Fry in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Make tacos with the tortillas and fish and top each with cream, shredded cabbage, tomatillo salsa and pickled jalapenos, if desired.
- *Cook's Note: Crack open a cold Mexican cerveza like a Negra Modelo or a 2 Equis (XX) Amber to make this tasty beer batter, which will change the way you think about fried fish! You can use it for vegetables, too.
- **Cook's Note: Mexican Crema is Mexico's version of creme fraiche and is found at many supermarkets and can easily be substituted with sour cream.
BAJA STYLE FISH TACOS
I came up with this recipe after having fish tacos from a street vendor in Ensenada, Mexico. It is the closest to authentic I have found. Salsa can be made a day in advance for flavors to blend.
Provided by Nancy Kopperud
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Mix tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, 1 tablespoon juice from jalapeno peppers, and garlic salt in a bowl; squeeze 1/2 lime over salsa fresca. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing fish.
- Toss coleslaw mix with ranch dressing in a bowl; set aside for flavors to blend.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Stir batter mix and beer together in a bowl. Wrap corn tortillas in wet paper towels and set aside.
- Dip cod in the batter mix; fry coated cod in batches in the hot oil until cod is cooked through and coating is brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove cod with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Microwave corn tortillas on high until warmed, about 1 minute.
- Stack two tortillas on a plate; top with fish, a sprinkle of Mexican cheese, coleslaw mixture, salsa fresca, and a squeeze from lime wedge. Drizzle with chile-garlic sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 422.6 calories, Carbohydrate 50.8 g, Cholesterol 38.7 mg, Fat 17.6 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 442.9 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
BAJA-STYLE FISH TACOS
These fish tacos have a delicious tequila-lime-chili flavor and are topped with a crunchy ranchero coleslaw. They are very easy to make. Optional toppings can include black beans, jalapeno peppers, diced tomato, julienned carrots, and green onions.
Provided by JohnBailey
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 2h5m
Yield 9
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make a marinade by whisking together the tequila, lime juice, water, 2 tablespoons salt, turbinado sugar, and 1 tablespoon chili powder in a large bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade. Add the cod to the remaining marinade; cover and set aside.
- Stir together the reserved 1/4 cup marinade, black beans, and jalapeno; set aside.
- Mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 1 tablespoon chili powder, cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, sugar, and green onions in a large bowl. Add the coleslaw mix and green onion and mix until coated; set aside.
- Mix together the flour, 1 tablespoon chili powder, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons salt in a shallow dish. Remove pieces of cod from the marinade, shake off the marinade, and coat in the flour mixture.
- Heat the oil in a heavy skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Gently lie the coated fish in the skillet without crowding the pieces. Cook in the hot oil, turning once, until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
- While frying the cod, heat the black bean mixture in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat the reserved marinade in a separate small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Assemble tacos by placing fish in the center of tortilla; top with coleslaw, black beans, and any other desired toppings. Drizzle some of the heated marinade over the fillings and fold the tortilla to close.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.7 calories, Carbohydrate 43.6 g, Cholesterol 52.6 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 5.6 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 2504.8 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
FISH TACOS - BAJA STYLE
Beer battered fish with a "secret" garlic cilantro sauce, guacamole, and salsa. The fish are double fried allowing you to do most of the preparation ahead of time and making the fish crispy. My mom has declared this her favorite meal. Grandmother said this was the best fish she has had in 89 years and 10 months. This really makes more servings than listed, but people usually continue eating these even when they are full!
Provided by cookiedog
Categories Mexican
Time 1h45m
Yield 26 tacos, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make the batter: Whisk the flour, baking powder, garlic, cayenne, mustard,oregano, 1 teaspoons salt, and pepper until well blended. Stir in the beer until there are no lumps. (Batter may be made several hours ahead and refrigerated).
- Trim the fish of all blood lines, skin, and bones. Cut into pieces the size and shape of your index finger. Sprinkle with a few drops of lime juice and a little salt. (If not using immediately, wrap and refrigerate). Pour the oil into a deep, wide pan to a depth of 2 inches and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. I use a thermometer, or you can drop a bit of batter into the oil and it should rise up quickly surrounded by little bubbles.
- Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Check the thickness of the batter by dipping in one piece of the fish. The batter should be the consistency of medium-thick pancake batter, coating the fish easily but dripping very little. Add a little beer if the batter seems too thick.
- Add the fish to the batter. Using tongs or chopsticks, swish each piece to make sure it is thoroughly coated, then lift out of the batter, let it drip once, and lay the fish gently into the hot oil. Cook a few pieces at a time until they float and the batter is set but still very light in color. If a piece sticks to the bottom, leave it alone and it will release itself.
- Remove the fish to a rack to drain; reserve the frying oil. (The fish can be prepared ahead to this point, cooled on a rack, and refrigerated uncovered. Cool the oil and reserve).
- When you are ready to serve, reheat the oil to 350-360°F and refry the fish a few pieces at a time until crisp and golden brown.
- To serve, hold a tortilla in your hand and add a spoonful of guacamole. Top with fish and squeeze lime over the whole thing. Then add the secret sauce, salsa, shredded cabbage, cilantro and onion as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.2, Fat 0.5, SaturatedFat 0.1, Cholesterol 0.5, Sodium 76.1, Carbohydrate 26.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 0.7, Protein 3.9
ANDIE'S BAJA-STYLE FISH TACOS
I took different elements from different recipes for Baja fish tacos, and tweaked them to my taste, hoping they would work together. They are great together! It is a very quick weeknight meal.
Provided by Andie
Categories Main Dish Recipes Taco Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Cut each tilapia fillet into 2 strips each.
- Mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and garlic paste together for marinade. Add fish strips, coat well, and set aside to soak.
- Mix tomatoes, avocado, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper together in a bowl for pico de gallo.
- Mix mayonnaise and sour cream for sauce together and spoon into a zip-top bag; set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry fish strips in the hot oil until they are opaque and flaky, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest.
- Cut off a small corner from the zip-top bag and drizzle some sauce into each tortilla. Place fish onto sauce, spoon on pico de gallo, sprinkle with cabbage, and finish by piping more sauce over the top. Fold and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 866 calories, Carbohydrate 71.7 g, Cholesterol 59.9 mg, Fat 49.4 g, Fiber 9.8 g, Protein 35.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 799.9 mg, Sugar 7.1 g
GRILLED FISH TACOS BAJA STYLE
Another great recipe my son brought back from his travels through Mexico, served with my Spanish Rice and a cold Mexican beer with a wedge of lime...yum.
Provided by Marsha Gardner
Categories Tacos & Burritos
Number Of Ingredients 31
Steps:
- 1. To make the marinade, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, cumin, chili powder, seafood seasoning, black pepper, and hot sauce in a bowl until blended. Place the tilapia in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours.
- 2. To make the dressing, combine the sour cream and adobo sauce in a bowl. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest, cumin, chili powder, seafood seasoning. Add salt, and pepper in desired amounts. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
- 3. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Set grate 4 inches from the heat. Remove fish from marinade, drain off any excess and discard marinade. Grill fish pieces until easily flaked with a fork, turning once, about 9 minutes.
- 4. Assemble tacos by placing fish pieces in the center of tortillas with desired amounts of tomatoes, cilantro, and cabbage; drizzle with dressing. To serve, roll up tortillas around fillings, and garnish with lime wedges.
Tips:
- Use fresh fish for the best flavor. White-fleshed fish, such as tilapia, cod, or halibut, are all good choices.
- Marinate the fish in a flavorful mixture of lime juice, olive oil, and spices before cooking. This will help to add flavor and moisture to the fish.
- Cook the fish until it is just opaque in the center. Overcooking will make the fish dry and tough.
- Use fresh, homemade tortillas for the best flavor and texture. You can find recipes for homemade tortillas online or in Mexican cookbooks.
- Top the tacos with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.
Conclusion:
Baja-style fish tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a casual dinner or party. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying taco that will impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Baja-style fish tacos a try.
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