Easy Grilled, Baked, or Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and two game changing sauce recipes for fish tacos: Fresh Cilantro Lime Sauce and Chipotle Sauce.
There's something irresistible about biting into a warm, freshly made fish taco-crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, layered with crunchy cabbage slaw and drizzled with a zingy sauce. I've been on a mission to bring that coastal fish taco flavor home without needing a deep fryer or hard-to-find ingredients. And guess what? These mahi mahi fish tacos are it-simple, affordable, and perfect for two sharing the table.
The real magic of these fish tacos with cabbage slaw comes from two homemade sauces that take the flavor to the next level: a creamy cilantro lime sauce for fish tacos and a smoky chipotle sauce. Each sauce brings its own punch, and together they offer that balanced, can't-stop-eating-it bite.
Whether you're grilling outdoors, using a stovetop grill pan, or baking the fish in your oven, I've got you covered with step-by-step instructions to make this recipe work in your kitchen. Let's dive in!
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Why Mahi Mahi is Perfect for Fish Tacos
When it comes to fish tacos, mahi mahi is a go-to. It's a firm, mild white fish that holds up beautifully on the grill or in the oven, and its subtle flavor pairs well with bold seasonings and bright, citrusy toppings.
If mahi mahi isn't available, don't worry! Here are some great substitutes:
- Cod: Mild and flaky, though more delicate.
- Halibut: Firm with a clean flavor, but often more expensive.
- Tilapia: Affordable and accessible, but slightly softer in texture. More likely to fall apart on the grill. But that is why we use a grill pan!
- Snapper: A lean, mild option with a nice bite
Mahi Mahi Fish Taco Marinade
Flavor starts here! Toss the fish with:
- Vegetable oil - we want more of a neutral flavored oil
- Lime juice
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Garlic
Let marinate for 30 minutes while you prep the slaw and sauces.
Cooking Methods: Grill, Stovetop, or Oven
Whether it's summer grilling season or you're cooking indoors, here's how to get that perfect fish every time.
Grilling Outdoors
- Preheat grill with a grill pan or quarter sheet pan placed on the grates on high for 15 minutes.
- Grill fish 3-4 minutes per side until the internal temp reaches 145°F.
Indoor Grilling
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high for 5 minutes.
- Lightly oil the pan and grill the fish for 3-4 minutes per side.
Baking
- Place baking sheet in oven and Preheat to 425°F. Bake the fish for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
Top Tip
How to Know When Mahi Mahi is Done: The best way to check is to use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should register 145°F (63°C). At this point, the fish will be opaque and easily flake with a fork.
How to Make Cabbage Slaw
A crunchy cabbage slaw is key for these Mahi Mahi fish tacos. Here's how to get those perfectly thin slices.
Step 1 | Cut the Cabbage in half
Set mandoline to the thinnest setting (number 1 on my OXO Mandoline).
Cut green cabbage in half, then into quarters to fit your mandoline.
Step 2 | Thinly Slice
Hold the cabbage at an angle and slice, avoiding the core. Keep rotating to get the outer leaves.
Step 3 | Salt and Season
Toss cabbage with salt and let it sit for 15 minutes to soften.
Add minced shallots, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and black pepper.
Sauce Recipe for Fish Tacos
A great fish tacos sauce can take your tacos from good to unforgettable. I love offering two options:
Cilantro Lime Sauce for Fish Tacos
This creamy, herb-packed sauce is cool, zesty, and the perfect contrast to the smoky fish.
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice
Whisk together ¼ cup yogurt, 2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro, 2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice together in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to assemble the mahi fish tacos.
Chipotle Sauce for Fish Tacos
For a smoky, spicy kick:
- Mayonnaise
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Lime juice
- Honey (optional for a little sweetness)
Mix together ¼ cup mayonnaise, ⅛ cup sour cream, 1 chipotle chili from 1 can of chipotles in adobo, 1 Tablespoons, freshly squeezed lime juice.
Store-bought salsa also works beautifully here. My go-to salsas are:
- Trader Joe's Salsa Verde (Green Salsa)
- Frontera Mango Salsa (for sweet, tropical notes)
- Willy's Sweet and Spicy Salsa (balance of sweet and spice)
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Easy Mexican Recipes For Two
Looking for other easy mexican recipes for two like this? Try these:
- Roasted Vegetable Fajita Bowl with Hot Honey Sauce
- Skillet Chicken Chilaquiles Rojos
- One Pan Chili Verde Enchiladas with Chicken and Green Sauce
- Tex-Mex Cheese and Onion Monterrey Enchiladas Recipe
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Fish
- 2 mahi mahi fillets 4-6 oz each, skin removed
- Kosher salt
- 3 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 ½ Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 4 flour or corn tortillas , 8 - inches
- Sour cream and lime wedges for serving
For the Slaw
- 1 ½ cups green cabbage , thinly sliced using a mandoline or sharp knife
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoon red onion or shallots, minced
- 1 tablespoon jalapeño , minced
- 2 tablespoon cilantro , chopped
- fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
Marinate the Fish
- Cut the mahi-mahi into 8 equal slices and season with salt as needed. In a large bowl, gently combine the vegetable oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and garlic. Add the fish and let it marinate for about 30 minutes, in the refrigerator.
Make the Slaw
- Meanwhile, prepare the slaw. In a mixing bowl, toss the chopped cabbage with a generous pinch of salt (rounded ⅛ teaspoon) and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Squeeze out any excess moisture, then combine with the lime juice, honey, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Grill or Bake Fish
- For outdoor grilling: Place a quarter baking sheet or grill pan directly on the grate and turn burners to high heat. Preheat the grill for about 15 minutes.For indoor grilling: Place a grill pan on stove top and preheat the pan over medium high heat.Now, Grill the fish until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- To Bake: Place quarter sheet in oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Bake the fish for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
- The best way to tell if the fish is done is to use an instant read thermometer. We want the fish to register 145 degrees F.
Assemble the Tacos
- Place about 2 tablespoons of slaw into a warm tortilla and top with two pieces of grilled fish. Finish with a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Garnish with sauce, if desired.
Notes
Your Notes, Tips and Tricks
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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