Baja Fish Tacos (Printable Version)

Crispy battered fish in warm tortillas with fresh cabbage and zesty lime cream.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Fish

01 - 1 lb firm white fish fillets (cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi), cut into 1-inch strips
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
04 - 1 tsp baking powder
05 - 1 tsp kosher salt
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 cup cold sparkling water
10 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ For the Creamy Lime Sauce

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
14 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
15 - 1 tsp lime zest
16 - 1 tsp hot sauce
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Toppings

18 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
19 - 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
20 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1-2 ripe avocados, sliced
22 - 8 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in cold sparkling water until batter is smooth and lump-free.
03 - Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 350°F.
04 - Pat fish strips dry with paper towels. Lightly coat each piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into batter, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl.
05 - Working in batches, carefully place fish in hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to wire rack or paper towels to drain.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
07 - Place 2-3 pieces of fried fish on each warm tortilla. Top with shredded cabbage, cilantro, red onion, and avocado slices. Drizzle generously with creamy lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The batter fries up impossibly crispy while staying light as air thanks to the sparkling water trick
  • That creamy lime sauce is dangerously good and perfectly cuts through the crispy fried fish
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like a restaurant quality meal
02 -
  • Keep the sparkling water ice cold until the moment you whisk it into the batter
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop and the fish will be greasy
  • Let fried fish drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels for maximum crispiness
03 -
  • Mix green and red cabbage for a pop of color and varied texture
  • The sauce tastes even better if made a few hours ahead
  • If baking instead of frying, use 425°F and flip halfway through
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