These days there is one dish that keeps climbing to the top of our must-eat list—it’s a dish that is delicious, healthy, easy to make, and it just screams summer. We’re talking about fish tacos, and after you make these recipes you’ll see why. So what’s so great about them? Well for starters, they are a tasty way to help you eat the recommended amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are a proven way to improve health, prevent heart disease, boost brain development and more. The National Institute of Health recommends “people consume at least 2 percent of their total daily calories as omega-3 fatty acids, which equals about 4 grams per day.” So if a simple filet of salmon sounds boring to you, then fish tacos are going to make your healthy diet much more interesting.
The fish taco come in a ton of varieties, some healthier than others (think grilled versus fried). The good news is there is something for everyone and the even better news is that fish tacos are easy to whip up, and pretty versatile based on what fish looks fresh and what produce you have available. Here are our 8 favorite fish taco recipes, perfect for enjoying on a beautiful summer night, and all year long.
1. Sautéed Tilapia Tacos with Grilled Peppers and Onion
Low fat tacos? Yes, it’s possible! This recipe is healthy because it eliminates unnecessary fat from frying your fish and instead it packs in tasty tilapia and grilled veggies. With less than 300 calories per serving, this is a taco you’ll want to eat over and over again—and because it’s high in protein but low in fat, you totally can!
Read Related: Street Food Miracles: 9 Fish Taco Recipes that Will Make Everyone Smile
2. Bobby Flay’s Tacos
Leave it to the grill master to make a fish taco recipe that is so simple yet so out-of-this-world delicious. The amazing flavor comes from the fish marinade, made from lime juice, oil, ancho chile powder, jalapeño pepper and cilantro.
3. Grilled Coconut Lime Tilapia Tacos with Kiwi Salsa
Coconut doesn’t usually make you think of tacos (Thai food, maybe), but these tacos made with coconut lime tilapia will make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation with every bite. The kiwi salsa kicks it up a notch by adding a slightly sweet and tart garnish.
4. Ultimate Fish Tacos
Remember when we said that some tacos used grilled fish and some fried? This recipe uses the latter, and while it may be less healthy, it’s also absolute heaven to your taste buds. Crunchy, a little salty, a little spicy thanks to the chile mayonnaise sauce and 100% fresh, this dish is a winner with any crowd. Plus it’s meant to be served family-style, where each guest makes their own taco using the provided ingredients, sauce and salsa—and who doesn’t love a build-your-own-taco activity at a summer gathering?
5. Grilled Southern Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Southern cooking usually involves some ingredient that isn’t exactly low in calories, which explains the buttermilk in these tacos. But don’t be scared, you’re only marinating your fish in a buttermilk sauce, seasoned with lime juice, paprika and jalapeño peppers, so it’s got a little kick an da lot of flavor. The fish is then grilled and served with a cabbage slaw on top of warm grilled corn tortillas, resulting in a dish that’s got the perfect mix of textures and flavors.
6. Grilled Garlic-Lime Fish Tacos
We officially like anything made with garlic, served with a corn salsa or wrapped in a warmed tortilla. This fish taco fires on all cylinders, which is why it’s one of our favorites. And the best part is it’s flexible, if you can’t find cod, use striped bass, if the striped bass looks eh, use halibut.
7. Baja Style Tacos
These guys are inspired by the ingredients and cooking style of Baja (the Mexican state on the Baja Peninsula, which borders California). The fish is coated in beer batter and fried; to get an authentic flavor, use a cold Mexican cerveza such as Negra Modelo.
8. Beer Battered Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Crema
Show us something that isn’t good when it’s beer battered and we’ll prove you wrong. These shrimp tacos are shockingly easy to make—shocking because they look so complicated and like you got them at an authentic taco stand. The ingredients are fairly simple, but the flavor of these tacos is outstanding. They’re perfectly crunchy, salty, a little spicy and a little creamy thanks to the Mexican crema topping.
Photos 2, 4 & 7 courtesy of Food Network.com
