Rustic cornmeal-crusted fish tacos with lime crema and a zesty cabbage slaw. Jump to recipe.
I spent my teen years outside of San Diego during what may have been a fish taco renaissance. But, because I was a vegetarian in those days, I’ve never actually had a legendary Baja or Baja-style fish taco. Instead, my first best fish taco happened years later at the Bonita on Bedford Ave. Everyone insisted you get the fish tacos. And so you did, and then you were indoctrinated and went on to only order the fish tacos pretty much every time. Even when you didn’t, the decision not to was excruciating.
Right now, I’m in Virginia and it’s winter and I need to eat something’s that’s not a root. So, even though I never ate them when I lived in San Diego and cannot boast any kind of fish taco expertise, I decided to make fish tacos. As a nod to my southern side, I crusted the fish with cornmeal, but all the other flavors and textures are strictly Southern California.
The tilapia fillets are dredged in a mixture of medium-grind cornmeal, chili powder, and sea salt and then fried to a deep golden brown. The fish was served on lightly toasted corn tortillas with jalapeños and avocados, and just a touch of seasonal flair in the form of limes, cabbage, and green onions. Slicing into the jalapeño is a treat all by itself – it’s crispy, fragrant, and smells like summer. The slaw is simple, meant to highlight the quiet spice of jalapeño and delicate green onions. There’s also my take on a lime crema and plenty of other lime anyway. These cornmeal-crusted fish tacos are just a good, optimistic kind of thing to eat on a bone cold winter night.
A note on the fish – tilapia is typically farm-raised and can be problematic – check out this site for some of the best options. Any firm, flavorful white fish should work well here, too.
Rustic cornmeal-crusted fish tacos with lime crema and a zesty cabbage slaw.
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- pinch sea salt
- 1 - 2 tablespoons water , as needed
- 2 pounds tilapia fillets
- 1/2 cup medium-grind cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons chili powder (use a flavorful variety)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 - 4 tablespoons heat tolerant vegetable oil , lard, or ghee for frying
- 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
- sea salt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons minced jalapeño
- 2 tablespoon minced shallot
- 2 tablespoon minced green onion
- ground black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas , warmed or toasted over medium heat in a skillet
- 1 avocado , sliced
- jalapeno , sliced thin
- green onion , minced
- cilantro leaves , torn into small pieces
- lime wedges
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In a small bowl or jar, stir lime juice and sea salt into the sour cream. Add water as needed so that crema just drizzles off the tip of a spoon.
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Combine the cornmeal, chili powder, garlic powder, and sea salt on a small tray.
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Rinse tilapia, pat dry, and slice into 2-inch sections.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge both sides of 4 – 5 pieces tilapia in the cornmeal mixture. Add oil to skillet, and when hot and the tilapia. Cook until golden brown, 2 – 3 minutes, flip, and cook other side 2 – 3 minutes longer or until fish is cooked through. Set cooked tilapia pieces on a plate lined with a brown paper bag and scatter a pinch or two of sea salt over the fish. Working in batches cook the remaining fish in the same way. Add more oil to the pan as needed. Keep an eye on the temp, being sure to adjust temperature to avoid smoking oil.
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Set sliced cabbage in a large bowl and toss with sea salt. In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Stir in jalapeño, green onion, shallot, and several twists black pepper. Pour mixture over the cabbage, and toss.
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Add several spoonfuls of slaw and a few avocado slices to each tortilla. Add 2 or 3 pieces of fish, drizzle on the crema, and finish with jalapeño slices, cilantro leaves, and green onions, plus a big squeeze of lime.
fish tacos are what my dreams are made of. these sound absolutely perfect and i love the southern nod in the the socal mix. these bright, optimistic winter meals are my favorite things this season. wish i could send you guys some warmth. <3
Oh my gosh I just love fish tacos! Your photos are gorgeous girl!
Yup- this looks amazing. Now that I’m no longer vegetarian (or vegan) I wonder how on earth I said no to so many amazing foods!
-Kelsey
http://www.alittlerosemaryandtime.com
Oh, you lived in sunny San Diego, CA as a teen, too?! (And managed to get away to a cooler place, which I so admire… I can’t wait to live somewhere where it actually snows)
Anyways, these fish tacos, Elizabeth! They look amazing, and your photos are perfection. Love! 😀
This is just fantastic. I love cornmeal crusted fish and in tacos, its a dream.
Thanks for the dinner inspiration. Why do I always forget the beauties that are fish tacos–yum!
Gorgeous photos here! I love all of the greens, as they remind me of spring.
These looks great! I haven’t had fish tacos since I lived in CA. I’m definitely going to try these. Anything that incorporates lime, jalapeno and green onions has my heart!
I love the contrast of a crunchy, fresh slaw with flaky, delicate fish – this sounds delicious!
This looks wonderful – crunchy and moreish!
You had me at lime crema. I love fish tacos. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Thanks!
Glad to hear that, Kelly! (And I love that you’re a creme connoisseur.)
I know you posted this over a year ago…but stumbled upon this when I searched google tonight. It is officially my dinner tonight can’t wait 🙂 fish tacos. game on.