Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa is a feast for the eyes. And the taste? As fresh and delicious as they look, for sure. Loaded with perfect contrasting flavors from the bold seasoning on tender, mild fish to the sweet mango salsa that always tastes right with fresh tacos. Simple red cabbage with a light slaw dressing gives crunch and a little bit of tang.
If you’re into grilling, get some grill marks on that fish for even more charred flavor. Cook the fish until opaque and flaky for moist and tender texture. The contrast of the bold, blackened seasoning is perfect but not overpowering, so don’t be afraid to add a liberal amount to the fish before cooking.
A good-quality white fish is key so don’t skimp here. I used a fresh cod filet that was on sale at my local Whole Foods Market, where they will gladly season the fish with their own blackened seasoning rub. Cook’s note: If your butcher’s counter doesn’t provide this convenience, I’ve included a homemade seasoning rub in the written recipe that I regularly use and love. Mahi Mahi would be another good choice. Or change things up with shrimp or wild salmon.
Customize the recipe into tostados or fold into hand-tacos using corn or flour tortillas. For a Paleo or grain-free meal, skip the tortillas all-together. Garnish the tacos with peppers from mild to wild, depending on your heat preference. You could use purchased mango salsa, but if fresh mangoes are available to you, I highly recommend you try this salsa recipe. It’s quick and delicious in the tacos, but also perfect served with corn tortilla chips. Try it with blue corn chips for even more color!
This meal takes only 30 minutes to prepare, not including the time it takes to make the salsa. So, it’s just right during the week, but also works perfect for a weekend taco bar with friends. The first time I made the blackened fish, my husband was sampling it right out of the oven, so make a lot. It disappears in seconds!
Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 pound white fish, like Cod or Mahi Mahi
Blackened seasoning:
- 1 ½ Tablespoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
Dressing and cabbage:
- 1 small head green or red cabbage or combination
- 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 6 corn or flour tortillas
Mango Salsa:
- 2 cups mango salsa - Recipe below Note: If making this recipe, salsa needs to be made 30 minutes before starting tacos
Garnish:
- Fresh avocado slices
- Jalapenos, thinly sliced
- Olive oil to drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. If fish is not already seasoned by your butcher, combine 1 ½ tablespoons of paprika, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of cayenne, 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of oregano and 1 teaspoon of salt and liberally rub onto all surfaces of fish. Place fish in baking dish drizzled with olive oil. Bake until opaque and flaky, yet still moist, approximately 20 minutes, depending on thickness of fish.
- While fish is baking, slice 1 head of cabbage very thinly and then chop into slices about 2" long.
- In a medium bowl, add 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar, a ¼ teaspoon of celery salt and ¼ a teaspoon of sugar. Add cabbage to dressing and toss. Place in refrigerator until ready to assemble and serve.
- Once fish is flaky and ready to come out of oven, drizzle with a little olive or avocado oil for extra flavor (optional). Assemble the tacos as you wish - Layer cabbage, salsa, fish and garnishes on flat tortillas, or fold over tortillas for eating by hand.
Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped mangoes about 2 medium mangoes
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped pineapple optional
- 2 ⁄3 cup chopped green onion may substitute red onion
- 1 ⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice from one lime
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium fresh jalapeno minced
Instructions
- Mix mangoes, pineapple, pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil together in large bowl.
- Add jalapeno to taste. Adding the ribs and seeds will make the salsa more hot, but even if you want this mild, add a couple ribs and at least 1/4 teaspoon of the seeds. This will not add too much heat and will bring all the flavors together.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow all ingredients to marinade together.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
Will repeat this in a heartbeat as my husband and all of our kids loved it as well. Thank you! I always know my family will be happy when I make your recipes!
Excellent recipe! Made with fresh catfish. My wife loved it and the salsa!
Tried it with salmon, and my husband said it was the best fish he’d ever had. That’s saying a lot since we have fish fairly often and the mango salsa was outstanding! I could eat the whole bowl by itself.
Wow Patty, this is great! Thanks for taking the time to send this great comment. It means more than you know!
I LOVE THIS RECIPE! I use it on Tilapia mostly. Turns our perfectly every time!
These are the happiest flavors of summer! Can’t wait to make them and will the warm weather to come sooner 🙂
Ooh these fish tacos look seriously so good.. You definitely have got me craving Mexican right now!
You are speaking my love language with these gorgeous tacos!
Lol, Right? Thanks Ali, I appreciate the compliment. We really love them at our house.