Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Baja, Mexico, where grilled fish tacos reign supreme. These tacos are a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors, a perfect embodiment of Baja's laid-back, beachy lifestyle. Picture succulent pieces of grilled fish, enveloped in warm, soft tortillas, topped with a medley of fresh, tangy ingredients like cabbage, pico de gallo, and creamy avocado slices. A drizzle of zesty lime crema adds a burst of acidity, while a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese provides a salty, nutty finish.
This article offers a comprehensive guide to recreating this iconic dish at home. We'll walk you through two variations of grilled fish tacos: one featuring tender, flaky tilapia and the other showcasing the bold flavors of swordfish. We'll also provide a recipe for homemade tortillas, should you desire the full, authentic experience. Plus, we'll share a zesty lime crema recipe to elevate your tacos to the next level. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the irresistible allure of grilled fish tacos, Baja style.
GRILLED FISH TACOS
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 32
Steps:
- Directions for slaw:
- Combine apple cider vinegar, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; mix until smooth and creamy. Add cabbage and toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Directions for tacos:
- Combine ingredients for the basting sauce into bowl and mix. Set aside. Oil the grill rack and Preheat grill to medium high. Grill Mahi filets until they are cooked through approximately 3 minutes per side. Continuously baste Mahi- Mahi, turning fish over only once.
- While Mahi is on the grill, heat tortillas until soft in the microwave or in the oven. Option 1: In the Microwave, wrap stacks of up to 12 tortillas in barely damp paper towels; microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds. Wrap tortillas in a clean towel to keep warm. Option 2: In the Oven, wrap stacks of 6 tortillas in foil; place in a 375 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap tortillas in a clean towel to keep warm.
- When Fish is white and flakey, remove from heat. Carefully cut fish into large chunks. Place fish into tortillas and build your taco, starting with fish, and slaw and toppings of your choice.
- Combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and salt stir.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Set aside and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
BAJA-STYLE GRILLED TEMPEH TACOS
From the Veganomicon. I add lots of hot sauce to this (both in the lime creme and the tempeh marinade). It's very pretty with shredded purple cabbage, but you can substitute with lettuce if you'd prefer.
Provided by Eat Your Vegetables
Categories Mexican
Time 1h20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Prepare the slaw first: Mix first 6 ingredients (cabbage through ground black pepper) in a large bowl (don't use metal). Cover and place in fridge. Weigh down slaw with canned beans or full pickle jar. Slaw improves the longer it's allowed to mellow. Allow to press for at least 1 hour. When ready to use, squeeze out handfuls to release any excess juice.
- Make the lime cream: Blend ingredients from yogurt to 1/2 t salt in a blender until creamy and smooth. Add more salt or lime juice to taste, if desired. Pour into an airtight container and chill for 1 hour.
- Make the marinade: Whisk together ingredients from beer to cumin and pour into a glass pie plate or casserole dish.
- Prepare the Tempeh: Boil water in a 2 qt pot. Slice tempeh into 3 pieces lengthwise and then in half horizontally through the middle. Add the tempeh to the water, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove pieces with tongs and place directly in marinade dish. Marinate for 1 hour flipping occasionally to cover.
- Preheat the oven to 200. Preheat a greased grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Grill tempeh for 5 minutes on each side, while basting with marinade. Remove from heat and slice into thin strips. Keep warm, covered in foil in the oven while assembling tacos.
- Heat a corn tortilla, spread lime crema down the center, top with slaw, tempeh and then any garnish you like (diced tomato, pickled jalepenos, hot sauce, avocado, lettuce, etc). Fold & eat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 375.8, Fat 17.3, SaturatedFat 2.8, Sodium 1635.7, Carbohydrate 40.9, Fiber 6.3, Sugar 3.8, Protein 16.3
BAJA FISH TACOS
Categories Fish Backyard BBQ Dinner Lunch Summer Grill Grill/Barbecue Healthy
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high. If you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire and let it burn down until the coals are glowing red with a moderate coating of white ash. Spread the coals in an even bed. Clean the cooking grate.
- Cut the mahi-mahi into 16 equal slices.
- Combine the oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic, and salt. Coat the mahi-mahi with the marinade.
- Grill the fish on the first side over direct heat until the flesh is firm and well-marked, about 2 minutes. Turn the fish and grill until cooked through, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes more.
- Grill the tortillas until they have light grill marks and are heated through, about 15 seconds on the first side. Turn the tortillas and grill them until they just start to bubble, another 15 seconds.
- Center 2 pieces of grilled fish on each tortilla, and top with the Southwestern Slaw and Chipotle Pico de Gallo. Add a dollop of Mexican Crema, fold in half, and serve immediately.
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.
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
GRILLED BAJA FISH TACOS
I found this grilled Baja fish taco recipe and made a few changes to it per my liking. Wife and 5-year old son love it. I hope you do too. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.
Provided by JoVieBro
Categories Main Dish Recipes Taco Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Whisk cider vinegar, vegetable oil, and salt together in a small bowl. Combine cabbage, scallions, and cilantro in a separate bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over top and toss to coat; set cabbage slaw aside.
- Combine chili powder, salt, coriander, cumin, and pepper in a bowl. Pat fish dry and rub with vegetable oil. Rub fish evenly with spice mixture. Place fish on a wire rack and refrigerate until grill is ready.
- Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat with the lid down for 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the grill is heating, combine mayonnaise, 1/2 of the lime juice, chipotle peppers, and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Scrape the hot grill grate until clean. Dip a paper towel in vegetable oil and quickly rub it over the grate. Lay fish on the grill, perpendicular to the bars of the grate.
- Cook until fish is opaque and flakes apart when gently prodded, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Tear fish apart into a bowl and pour remaining lime juice over top.
- Place several tortillas in a single layer on the grill and cook until warm, about 10 seconds per side. Transfer to a tortilla warmer and repeat to warm remaining tortillas.
- Smear warm tortillas with mayonnaise mixture, then add fish, cabbage slaw, and queso fresco.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.4 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 44.4 mg, Fat 28.6 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 912.4 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
Tips:
- Choose the right fish: Firm-fleshed fish like mahi-mahi, swordfish, or tuna are best for grilling. They won't fall apart on the grill and will hold up well to the bold flavors of the marinade and toppings.
- Make sure your fish is fresh: The fresher the fish, the better your tacos will be. Look for fish that is bright and shiny, with no off smells.
- Don't overcook the fish: Fish cooks quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it so you don't overcook it. Overcooked fish is dry and tough.
- Use a flavorful marinade: A good marinade will help to add flavor and moisture to the fish. Be sure to let the fish marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Grill the fish over medium-high heat: This will help to create a nice sear on the outside of the fish while cooking it evenly throughout.
- Serve the fish tacos with your favorite toppings: Some popular toppings include cabbage, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.
Conclusion:
Grilled fish tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make sure that your grilled fish tacos are perfect every time. So fire up the grill and get cooking!
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