This Baja Fish Tacos recipe is loaded with crispy fried fish, crunchy cabbage, pico de gallo, and a creamy fish taco sauce with plenty of lime juice squeezed over the top. All wrapped up in corn tortillas, this San Diego, California favorite is sure to be a hit in your home!
Table of Contents
- This Baja Fish Taco Recipe will change your life!
- Why this is the Best Fish Taco Recipe
- Baja Fish Tacos ingredients
- Fried Fish Tacos Recipe substitutions and variations
- How to make this Baja Fish Tacos Recipe
- Fried Fish Tacos Recipe tips for success
- Serving Baja California Tacos
- Fried Fish Taco Recipe FAQs
- More Delicious Mexican Food
- Baja California Tacos (Baja Fish Tacos) Recipe
- More States I Have Visited in my American Eats Series
This Baja Fish Taco Recipe will change your life!
If you have never had a really good fish taco, you have been missing out. Big time. These homemade Baja Fish Tacos are so delicious with the most wonderful balance of flavor and texture you can imagine. They’re also very simple to make, so this recipe really is a must-try!
Baja Fish Tacos originate in California, or San Diago, to be precise. I love California. I moved a LOT growing up. I’ve lived all over the country (and traveled much of the rest of it), so I’ve made an American Eats series that goes through my favorite American recipes state-by-state.
It’s a great way of revisiting some favorite dishes I’ve picked up along the way and exploring new ones from states I have yet to get to! This Baja Fish Tacos recipe is a part of the collection, but there are more amazing dishes there too.
We love all kinds of Mexican food at our house! Some of our other favorites for serving with these tacos are Horchata (a creamy cinnamon rice drink) with Tres Leches Cake for dessert!
But California has a special place in my heart. Not only is this where I have lived for the past 9 years, but I also spent my formative preteen and early teen years there. While I’ve never lived in San Diego itself, I do love it there. With the taco stands on pretty much every corner and fish tacos galore, it’s amazing!
The fish taco is to San Diego what the Deep Dish Pizza is to Chicago, Philly Cheese Steak is to Philadelphia, and the Lobster Roll is to Maine.
Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a fish person, you should really give try these Baja fish tacos. They don’t taste “fishy” at all, thanks to using a firm white fish that is coated in a wonderfully spiced batter before being fried crispy in a pan of oil.
If you love these delicious Mexican tacos then you’ll also love my Slow Cooke Pork Carnitas, these super easy Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas, and these amazing Chicken Fluatas!
Why this is the Best Fish Taco Recipe
- Make the best fish tacos with any of your favorite fillings.
- Made with simple ingredients, it works with many types of fish!
- This quick and easy baja fish tacos recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Baja Fish Tacos ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Fish Tacos
- Fish – Use cod halibut, tilapia, mahi mahi, or another firm white fish.
- Coating – Use all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, and baking powder for the base of the coating for the fish.
- Seasoning – To flavor the coating, use chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Egg – To make the batter.
- Ginger Ale – Ginger ale sprite, beer, or soda water will work for making the batter. (I used ginger ale, but beer is more authentic to make a beer batter.)
- Oil – Vegetable oil for frying
- Tortillas – Corn tortillas are the more traditional choice for Mexican dishes. You can use flour or whole-wheat tortillas if you prefer.
Baja Sauce for Fish Tacos
- Sour Cream and Mayonnaise – This is for the base of the sauce to give it a slightly tart flavor. You can use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream if you prefer.
- Lime Juice – Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Seasoning – Use ground cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt to season the sauce.
What goes on Fish Tacos?
- Pico De Gallo – Fresh Pico De Gallo is best, but you can use store-bought in a pinch.
- Cabbage – Use white cabbage or red cabbage, whichever you prefer.
- Lime – Lime wedges are great to serve on the side for an added citrus boost.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro has a classic Mexican flavor you don’t want to miss!
- Avocado – Serve sliced or chopped avocado on the side, or some Homemade Guacamole if you prefer.
Fried Fish Tacos Recipe substitutions and variations
- Add chipotle pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the tacos for extra heat.
- Use chicken strips instead of pieces of fish for chicken tacos.
- Corn tortillas are the more traditional choice for Mexican dishes but you can use flour tortillas or whole-wheat tortillas if you prefer.
How to make this Baja Fish Tacos Recipe
It’s so easy to make this Baja fish tacos recipe! All you really need is a cast iron skillet or other deep, wide pan for frying the fish in about an inch of oil and some tongs for turning the fish pieces so both sides can get golden brown and crispy.
How to make the Baja Fish Tacos sauce
- Make sauce. Whisk the ingredients for the fish taco sauce together, then cover, and refrigerate.
- Make pico de gallo. Make the pico de gallo, shred the cabbage, and wash and chop the cilantro leaves.
- Slice fish. Cut the fish into ¾-inch wide strips that are about 4 inches long (no need to be exact, but you don’t want them much bigger than this). Pat the fish dry on all sides with a paper towel as this will help the batter stick to the fish better.
- Make batter. In a large bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, egg, and ginger ale. Mix together to make a batter for the fish.
- Coat fish. Add the strips of fish to the batter and use a spatula to gently stir it all to coat the fish evenly in the thick batter.
- Heat oil. Pour enough oil into a large skillet to fill it about 1 inch deep, then heat it over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. It is helpful to have a good candy thermometer (affiliate link) to monitor the temperature of the oil.
- Fry fish. When the oil is hot, add strips of the battered fish a few at a time, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, flipping the fish halfway through to cook evenly on both sides.
- Cool. Transfer to a cooling rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to catch the excess oil.
- Prepare tortillas. Warm the tortillas in the microwave by placing a few at a time between damp paper towels and microwaving for 45 seconds. Repeat with the remaining tortillas until they are all warmed. Keep them warm by covering them with a towel. Alternatively, you can fry the tortillas to warm them by heating a teaspoon of oil in another pan over medium heat, then frying each tortilla for 20 seconds on each side until it is soft and golden, but not crispy. You will need to add a little more oil after every other tortilla until you have warmed them all.
- Assemble. Assemble the fish tacos by adding the fried fish to two tortillas, doubled up.
What goes on fish tacos?
- Top with the shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, the fish taco sauce (I spoon it into a Ziploc bag and snip off the end so I can squeeze it on in squiggles), chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado, if desired. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Fried Fish Tacos Recipe tips for success
- The most authentic Baja fish tacos use beer for the liquid in the batter, but since we don’t drink, I used ginger ale and it worked out great! You could also sub Sprite or soda water instead.
- I always double up the warm corn tortillas and serve these with my favorite pico de gallo and plenty of fresh, chopped cilantro.
- You can’t have Baja fish tacos without crunchy, thinly sliced cabbage slaw and a tangy, creamy white sauce! I fill a Ziploc bag with the sauce and snip off one end to drizzle it over the tacos for a great presentation.
- Use fresh lime wedges on the side! That hit of citrus is the perfect finish and an absolute must!
Serving Baja California Tacos
What is a side dish for fish tacos?
There are so many great side dishes to round out your meal of fish tacos! These are some of our favorites:
- Mexican Rice: A classic choice, Mexican rice is flavorful and pairs well with fish tacos.
- Black Beans: Serve up some seasoned black beans with cumin and chili powder makes a great side dish for fish tacos!
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice is a delicious and authentic Mexican side dish.
- Slaw: Coleslaw, especially a tangy and slightly spicy slaw, complements fish tacos nicely. Use cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing.
- Guacamole: Fresh guacamole is always a hit. It’s creamy and pairs wonderfully with the flavors in fish tacos.
- Pico de Gallo: This fresh salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice adds a burst of freshness to your meal.
- Salsa Verde: A green salsa made from tomatillos, green chilies, and cilantro can be a zesty and tangy side option.
- Tortilla Chips: Serve some tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole for a crunchy side.
- Fruit Salsa: A mango salsa or pineapple salsa can provide a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory fish tacos.
- Avocado Crema: Blend avocados with sour cream or yogurt, lime juice, and some spices to create a creamy dipping sauce for your tacos or a drizzle for your sides.
- Grilled Vegetables: Season and grill some vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or onions to add a smoky and charred flavor to your meal.
Are fish tacos better on corn or flour?
Fish tacos are delicious on either nutty corn tortillas or soft flour tortillas. We love them both and trade off or offer them both so everyone can choose what they like best.
Fried Fish Taco Recipe FAQs
These fish tacos really originated south of the California border in the Baja California Peninsula in Northwestern Mexico.
A San Diego State student named Ralph Rubio brought them back from a surfing trip in the 1970’s and started his own taco stand in San Diego. And now these Baja fish tacos are one of the most well-known, iconic dishes that represent the state of California.
If you are from the West, you have probably been to Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill (yup, his fish tacos were so hugely popular that Ralph Rubio’s taco stand grew into a huge chain that has expanded throughout the West) and maybe even had an original Baja Fish Taco there.
You can use whatever mild, firm white fish you like. I tend to go with cod, mostly because I can usually find it for a good price. But whatever is wild-caught and local is best! Here are some good options you can use for this Baja fish tacos recipe are Halibut, Cod, Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Flounder, Grouper, or Tilapia.
These Baja Fish Tacos are best enjoyed fresh. If you need to store them, put the pieces of battered and cooked fish in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat through in an Air Fryer, or in the oven to keep the batter crisp. Store the cabbage slaw and salad in the refrigerator separately from the sauce to keep it crisp.
Baja sauce, also known as Baja California sauce or Baja white sauce, is a creamy and tangy condiment that is often used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, particularly in the Baja CalifoWhat defines Baja fish tacos?rnia region of Mexico. It’s a popular accompaniment for fish tacos and other seafood dishes. Baja sauce typically has a mayonnaise or sour cream base and is seasoned with a combination of ingredients that give it a distinctive flavor profile.
Baja fish tacos are known for their combination of crispy, fried fish, creamy Baja sauce, and fresh cabbage, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. They are a popular street food in Southern California and have gained popularity in many other parts of the world. We love them and always get them when we visit San Diego, but for the most authentic Baja fish tacos at home we have to make them ourselves!
The BEST Baja Fish Taco Sauce
Anyone who has had San Diego-style fish tacos will tell you that you definitely don’t want to skip the fish taco sauce! This taco sauce is typically a light citrus crema made from sour cream and/or mayonnaise, some lime juice, and spices.
It takes all of 2 minutes to combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl and whisk it all together.
More Delicious Mexican Food
- Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor
- Easy Mexican Restaurant-Style Salsa
- Authentic Carne Asada
- Horchata (Mexian Drink)
- The BEST Chicken Tacos
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Baja California Tacos (Baja Fish Tacos)
Ingredients
Fish Tacos
- 1 ½ pounds cod halibut, tilapia, mahi mahi, or other firm white fish
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups ginger ale sprite, beer, or soda water (I used ginger ale and beer is more authentic, but any of these would work)
- Vegetable Oil, for frying
- 15 small corn tortillas
Fish Taco Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish
pico de gallo - shredded cabbage
- lime wedges
- chopped cilantro
- avocados
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients for the fish taco sauce together, then cover, and refrigerate.
- Make the pico de gallo, shred the cabbage, and wash and chop cilantro leaves.
- To make the fish tacos, start by slicing the fish into ¾-inch wide strips that are about 4 inches long (no need to be exact, but you don’t want them much bigger than this). Pat the fish dry on all sides with a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, egg, and ginger ale. Mix together to make a batter for the fish.
- Add the strips of fish to the batter and use a spatula to gently stir it all to coat the fish evenly in the thick batter.
- Pour enough oil into a large skillet to fill it about 1 inch deep, then heat it over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. It is helpful to have a good candy thermometer (affiliate link) to monitor the temperature of the oil.
- When the oil is hot, add strips of the battered fish a few at a time, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, flipping the fish halfway through to cook evenly on both sides. Transfer to a cooling rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
- Warm the tortillas in the microwave by placing a few at a time between damp paper towels and microwaving for 45 seconds, then repeating with the remaining tortillas until all are warmed. Keep them warm by covering them with a towel. Alternatively, you can fry the tortillas to warm them by heating a teaspoon of oil in another pan over medium heat, then frying each tortilla for 20 seconds on each side until it is soft and golden, but not crispy. You will need to add a little more oil after every other tortilla until you have warmed them all.
- Assemble the fish tacos by adding the fish to two tortillas, doubled up. Then top with the shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, the fish taco sauce (I spoon it into a Ziploc bag and snip off the end so I can squeeze it on in squiggles), chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado, if desired. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- Pico De Gallo – Fresh Pico De Gallo is best, but you can use store-bought in a pinch.
- Avocado – Serve sliced or chopped avocado on the side, or some Homemade Guacamole if you prefer.
Nutrition
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These look delicious! I love fish tacos!
My husband would totally love this! Your shots are amazing!
Thank you!!
Wow these look incredible! My husband loves fish tacos, I bet he is going to love this recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Fish tacos are one of my favourite things to eat. These look gorgeous!
What a great recipe round up. I am pinning a bunch of them to try in the coming weeks. Also, thank you so much for your great info. Enjoy your time & happy blogging.
What kind of beer would you recommend?
I really couldn’t say since we don’t drink beer. That’s why I use ginger ale. I suppose any kind you like would work.
I made these using grouper and they were delicious. I used Lime Bubly for the batter, although beer probably would have been better. My husband said they were the best fish tacos he’s ever had. I think I’ll agree with him. Really great recipe!
This is an amazing recipe! We had these tonight for dinner and these were a big hit for everyone! We followed the recipe exactly except for the slaw. The breading and taco sauce were great! We decided this sauce could also be used instead of tartar sauce for our fish frys! Absolutely delicious and super easy and quick to prepare. Ps. We went freshwater lake fishing yesterday and used the fish we caught!
This was my first time attempting fish tacos and the recipe was fabulous! My husband and daughter loved it. My husband and I agreed that the only thing we would change would be to add a little more salt to the batter next time! Thank you!
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, Maricela!
Excellent recipe ….I used fresh Mahi the batter was a bit thicker than I expected but it worked well and I and family loved it…. I added two egg whites whipped to a foam instead of just an egg… made the batter very light….I saw that tip from Paty Jinich from PatysTable …..
Made these this weekend. Family loved them and requested I make again soon. I stumbled upon your site and so happy I did. I am trying several of your recipes this week.
I liked this recipe… Added a couple egg whites whisked into peaks in the (Beer)batter….also made a cilantro limes garlic chipotle sauce . Don’t skip the avocado. Fresh is the name of this game.
I did this using gluten free ingredients and I can’t tell you how amazing this was. Firstly, after making the batter, I let it sit for about 10 mins to get thicker! Absolutely delicious!!
As a southern Californian living in Canada, I have to say, these are so legit. Missing proper Mexican food is so difficult, but these taste just like home! If you haven’t tried them yet you really should!
My teenage son who is incredibly picky asked for these for his birthday dinner. (I made them for New Years Eve for the adults). I make them exactly as you have the recipe and they are awesome. Thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear!
Made this recipe with my husband. super easy and incredibly yummy. we made it with a mango-pineapple salsa, cabbage, jalapenos and avocado. my 3 kids all went back for seconds.
These were very tasty! My one and three year old boys ate them up with a satisfying “yum” at the end of dinner. I kept out the Adobe spice to keep it kid friendly and it still had lots of flavour. 5 star.
I’m sure this has already been said, but a tip: if you have leftover fish, bake it to warm it up! It’s perfect! We did it at 400 for about 20min.
That’s a fantastic tip! Thank you!
Could you bake these? I’ve tried the chicken tacos several times and delicious every time! Thank you!
Yes you can bake these! I would heat the oven to 450. Set them on a wire rack in a baking sheet to get them nice and crispy. Spray the rack with cooking spray and also both sides of the fish. Bake for 10 minutes. I hope that helps!