Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw
Lightly pan-seared white fish nestled in warm tortillas, topped with a crunchy, spicy slaw that highlights fresh regional flavors. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs olive oil, chili powder, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, cut into 3-inch pieces white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1 small, julienned red bell pepper
- 1, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons, chopped cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon for slaw salt
- 1/4 teaspoon for slaw black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 1 pound white fish pieces.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned fish and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1 small julienned red bell pepper, 1 finely chopped jalapeño, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss until fully combined and slaw is creamy.
- Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly toasted.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing 2-3 pieces of fish in each tortilla, topping with about 2 tablespoons of the spicy slaw. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Fish Tacos with Spicy Regional Slaw?
Mexican seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
