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Zesty Fish Tacos with Spicy Sriracha Lime Sauce

A quick, zesty dinner featuring fresh fish, tangy sriracha-lime sauce, and a lively slaw that delivers big flavor in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the fish
  • 1 lb firm white fish (cod, tilapia, or mahi-mahi), cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the spicy sriracha lime sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  • 2 tbsp sriracha (add more if you like heat)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice (fresh is best)
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 1 tsp honey or agave (optional, balances heat)
For the slaw and assembly
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage (or coleslaw mix)
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
  • Lime wedges, avocado slices, and extra cilantro for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the fish strips dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the fish in the spice blend, coating each piece evenly.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), sriracha, lime juice, lime zest, and honey. Taste and adjust—if it’s too spicy, add a touch more mayo; if it’s too tangy, a pinch of honey smooths it out. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine shredded cabbage, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss gently. This slaw is meant to be crisp and lively—not soggy—so don’t overdress it.
Cooking
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the fish strips in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and opaque in the center. If using thicker fillets, add a minute per side. Remove from heat and break into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Quickly warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side. Keep them wrapped in a clean towel to stay pliable.
Assembly
  1. Spoon some slaw onto each tortilla, add a few pieces of fish, drizzle with the sriracha-lime sauce, and top with avocado slices and extra cilantro. Squeeze lime over the top and enjoy.

Notes

Store fish and slaw separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat fish gently in a skillet or eat cold in a taco bowl.