Blackened Fish Tacos Slaw Mayo (Print View)

Spicy blackened fish in warm tortillas with fresh cabbage slaw and creamy mayo for a vibrant, easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 1.1 lbs white fish fillets (such as tilapia, cod, or snapper)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tsp dried thyme
08 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
09 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Slaw

11 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
12 - 1 cup finely shredded red cabbage
13 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or grated
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 2 tbsp lime juice
16 - 1 tbsp olive oil
17 - 1/2 tsp salt
18 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Mayo Sauce

19 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
20 - 1 tbsp lime juice
21 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
22 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
23 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Assembly

24 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
25 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, and cilantro. Add lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well and refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce (if using), smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels, then rub both sides with olive oil and coat evenly with the spice mixture.
04 - Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil if needed. Sear the fish fillets for 2–3 minutes on each side, until blackened and cooked through. Remove from heat and break into large bite-sized pieces.
05 - Place warm tortillas on a serving platter. Top each with pieces of blackened fish, a generous scoop of slaw, and a drizzle of mayo sauce. Serve with lime wedges.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between hot, spice crusted fish and cool, crisp slaw creates this perfect bite thats addictive
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a beachside taco stand
  • The spice blend is versatile enough that youll want to use it on everything from chicken to roasted vegetables
02 -
  • Cast iron creates the best blackened effect, but any heavy skillet will work as long as it is properly heated
  • The spice mixture will look like too much, but you really need to coat the fish generously for authentic flavor
  • Do not flip the fish too early, let it develop that crust undisturbed
03 -
  • Turn on your exhaust fan before searing the fish, those spices can get intense
  • Let the fish rest for a minute after cooking before flaking, it holds together better

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