Light & Zesty Tilapia Tacos
Elevate your taco night with this delicious and nutritious recipe for Light & Zesty Tilapia Tacos! These tacos feature tender, golden-brown tilapia fillets served on warm corn tortillas, topped with a creamy avocado sauce, a crunchy, vibrant slaw, and garnished with fresh jalapeño and cilantro for an extra kick. Perfect for a healthy weeknight meal or a casual gathering, these tacos are not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Avocado
1 (peeled, pitted and cut into eighths)
Buttermilk
1/3 cup
Garlic cloves
2 (minced, divided)
Lime
1 (juice and zest of)
Kosher salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Napa cabbage
3 cups (shredded)
Carrots
1 1/2 cups (grated)
Cider vinegar
1/4 cup
Sugar
1/4 teaspoon
Hot sauce
to taste
Tilapia fillet
1 lb (cut into 8 pieces)
Whole wheat flour
1 cup
Vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
Corn tortillas
4 (8 inch)
Jalapeno pepper
to taste (sliced, for garnish)
Fresh cilantro
to taste (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C) to keep the tortillas warm.
2
In a food processor, combine the avocado, buttermilk, 1 minced garlic clove, lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
3
In a medium bowl, mix the shredded napa cabbage, grated carrots, the remaining minced garlic, cider vinegar, sugar, and a splash of hot sauce. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste, and set aside to let the flavors meld.
4
Over medium heat, heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan. Toast each corn tortilla for about 30 seconds per side, until warm and slightly charred. After toasting, stack the tortillas and wrap them in foil to keep them warm in the oven.
5
In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Dredge each piece of tilapia in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
6
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the tilapia pieces and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and place in the warm oven. Repeat with the remaining tilapia.
7
To assemble the tacos, spread a layer of avocado sauce on each warmed tortilla. Top with a piece of tilapia and generously add the cabbage-carrot slaw. Garnish with sliced jalapeños and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Light & Zesty Tilapia Tacos?
They are a nutritious meal featuring golden-brown tilapia fillets on warm corn tortillas with avocado sauce and crunchy slaw.
What type of fish is used for these tacos?
This recipe specifically calls for 1 pound of tilapia fillets, cut into 8 pieces.
How is the avocado sauce made?
Blend avocado, buttermilk, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
What ingredients are in the taco slaw?
The slaw contains shredded napa cabbage, grated carrots, garlic, cider vinegar, sugar, and hot sauce.
How do you keep the corn tortillas warm?
Stack the toasted tortillas, wrap them in foil, and place them in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the tilapia coated in before cooking?
The fish is dredged in a mixture of whole wheat flour, kosher salt, and pepper.
How long does it take to cook the tilapia?
Cook the tilapia in a skillet for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
What type of tortillas does the recipe require?
The recipe calls for four 8-inch corn tortillas.
How should I toast the tortillas?
Toast each side for about 30 seconds in a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan until warm and slightly charred.
What garnishes are recommended for these tacos?
Garnish the tacos with sliced jalapenos and fresh chopped cilantro.
How much vegetable oil is needed?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in total, divided for frying the fish batches.
Is there any sugar in the recipe?
Yes, a 1/4 teaspoon of sugar is added to the cabbage-carrot slaw to balance the flavors.
What type of cabbage is best for the slaw?
Napa cabbage is used for its tender texture and mild flavor.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves, divided between the sauce and the slaw.
Can I make these tacos spicy?
Yes, you can add hot sauce to the slaw and garnish with fresh sliced jalapenos for extra heat.
Is this a healthy meal option?
Yes, it uses tilapia, whole wheat flour, and fresh vegetables, making it a nutritious and light dinner.
How should the avocado be prepared?
The avocado should be peeled, pitted, and cut into eighths before blending into the sauce.
What kind of vinegar is used for the slaw?
Cider vinegar is used to provide the zesty tang in the cabbage-carrot mixture.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is recommended to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency for the avocado sauce.
What is the serving suggestion for the tilapia?
Assemble the tacos by layering sauce, fish, and slaw on warmed tortillas and serve immediately.
How do I ensure the fish is not greasy?
Dredge the fish in flour and shake off the excess before cooking in medium-high heat.
Does the recipe use lime zest?
Yes, both the juice and the zest of one lime are used in the avocado sauce.
What is the purpose of the buttermilk?
Buttermilk is used to thin the avocado sauce and add a creamy, tangy flavor.
Can I cook the fish in batches?
Yes, it is recommended to cook half of the tilapia pieces at a time to maintain pan temperature.
What is the texture of the slaw?
The slaw is crunchy and vibrant, providing a textural contrast to the tender fish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 total ingredients used to make these tilapia tacos.
Is whole wheat flour better than white flour here?
Whole wheat flour is used to keep the recipe 'light' and add a slightly nutty flavor to the crust.
Can I use regular salt instead of kosher salt?
You can, but kosher salt is recommended for better flavor control in the dredging mix and slaw.
What makes these tacos 'zesty'?
The combination of lime juice, lime zest, cider vinegar, and hot sauce provides the zesty profile.
How do I prevent the tortillas from tearing?
Toasting them slightly and keeping them warm in foil makes them more pliable and less likely to break.