Restaurant style baked cod fish tacos drizzled in southwest sauce are mouth watering delicious and one of our favorite taco recipes!
Be sure to also try my Tofu Tacos, Shrimp Fajita Tacos and Pork Tacos, next!
Flavor or fish
It is true, fresh is best and these are the best cod fish tacos made with fresh seafood that was overnighted direct from the fisheries to our doorstep. So delicious with this southwest sauce or even try it with citrus salsa or cole slaw on top!
Have you ever had that moment where you brought home store bought seafood for dinner and were crazy excited to dish it up only to experience that it turned out rather... fishy? Fishy in smell, taste and texture (chewy and over-cooked for fear of food born illnesses). That is because it is not fresh at all!
Fish should not smell...fishy, and should have an incredibly tender texture that melts in your mouth. If you have experienced that chewy, fishy, not so tasty seafood dish then I am right there with ya, and a bit embarrassed to admit that due to the fact that I live by the sea!
I truly understand why some people do not like the flavor of seafood. It just boils down to freshness. I am a firm believer in always using the freshest and best ingredients in the kitchen. So let's get started!
Recipe ingredients
- Fresh cod fish filets
- pink Himalayan salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- coconut oil
- lime juice
- cilantro leaves freshly chopped
- red onion thinly sliced
- green cabbage shredded
- red bell pepper chopped for garnish
- cilantro chopped for garnish
- tortillas small corn, flour, or gluten-free
- Southwest Dipping Sauce:
- mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for protein
- lime juice
- honey
- white vinegar
- cayenne pepper
- paprika
- cumin
- garlic powder salt combo
- oregano
Instructions
To prep cod filets, the easiest way is to marinate it. A marinade is a great way to add flavor to fish. It is best to do this in a as cast iron or aluminum can react with acids and give fish an off-flavor. Marinades in seafood should only last about 30 minutes (the proteins can start to break down if left longer than 30-45 minutes).
Another great method to prepare fish is by simply salting it before cooking. Then add additional flavors such as lime juice and coconut oil (coconut oil withstands high heat) when pan searing.
How to bake fish (fillets and steaks)
The secret to cooking the perfect fish is to sear the fillet or steak first on the stove using high heat for about 1 minute on each side. Then either reduce the heat and cook an additional 3 minutes per side, or bake it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. Searing first seals in the juices. Make sure to always check the fish at the minimum baking time.
To test if fish is done, put a fork in the center and twist. If it flakes and has milky white juices then it is done.
Fish taco sauce
A traditional compliment to cod fish tacos is this homemade southwest sauce. This sauce is also fantastic as a dip for fries and roasted vegetables too!
You make it with mayonaisse, ut if you want a lighter version you can swap it out for Greek yogurt. In addition, top your fish tacos with this Avocado Fish Taco Sauce Recipe.
How to assemble cod fish tacos
To assemble fish tacos drizzled with southwest sauce, get all the ingredients together, grab a plate and start layering your tortilla in this order:
- Corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or gluten-free tortillas
- Green cabbage or use a slaw recipe
- Baked Cod Fish (with any extra sauce and baked onions with it)
- Southwest sauce
- Garnish with minced red bell peppers, fresh cilantro, red onions, avocado slices, and a splash of fresh lime juice, and if you're a fan of spice you can top off with hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili powder.
There is nothing quite like a savory feast to bring people together like these delicious fish tacos! Expert winemaker Brittany of Millesime Cellars Winery suggests pairing white fish, baked sea bass, and cod fish tacos with a Dry Orange Muscat or Viognier.
Alaskan seafood is considered to be the best managed fisheries in the world, harvested from local waters and managed from sustainable and renewable fisheries. Fresh fish from Alaska is a sure bet it will be fabulous, freshest, and the easiest seafood to work with.
But if you can't get Alaskan seafood, make sure to get cod that is not freshest and not fishy scented. Then get the kitchen ready because you totally need to try this cod fish taco recipe!
Living in Santa Barbara we are fortunate to have fresh seafood year round. We buy the best seafood we can find from our local markets such as the Santa Barbara Harbor or Whole Foods. But not everyone around the world has this kind of access to fresh fish, unless ordered direct from the fisheries.
Whether you use your favorite recipe or savory herbs and juices, there's no comparison to how delicious this is. And fresh Alaskan cod fish drizzled in this spectacular southwest sauce is restaurant style eating within the comfort of your own home!
Enjoy this delicious cod fish tacos in southwest sauce!
More healthy recipes to enjoy
- Teriyaki Salmon with Spicy Chickpea Sweet Potato Puree
- Best Ceviche Recipe
- Foil Baked Cod Fish with Grape Tomatoes
- Soy-Orange Chilean Sea Bass
- Blackened Rockfish
Cod Fish Tacos Recipe with Southwest Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cod fish
- pink Himalayan salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 limes juice of
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves freshly chopped
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup green cabbage shredded
- ¼ cup red bell pepper chopped for garnish
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped for garnish
- 6 tortillas small corn or gluten-free
Southwest Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon oregano dry
Instructions
Southwest Dipping Sauce
- Combine in a small bowl ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon dry oregano. Mix well, cover and refrigerate for up to an hour before serving.
Cod Fish Tacos
- In an 8 x 8 inch baking pan add 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil to the bottom. Spread fish on top and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and a dash of black pepper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Sear the fish for 15 seconds on one side, turning once and repeating 15 seconds on the other side. Remove from heat and place back in baking dish.
- Meanwhile while fish sets for a minute, turn the burner to medium low and add to your heated skillet; juice of 1 lime, red onion slices, 1 teaspoon of salt, a dash of black pepper and a handful of freshly chopped cilantro leaves (about ¼ cup). Sautee about 1 minute until onion becomes slightly translucent. Drizzle the onion mixture over the fish. Cover and bake for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use, for up to 8 hours.
- Serve: Layer each slightly heated tortilla with cabbage followed by fish. Drizzle with Southwest sauce and garnish with diced red peppers, cilantro and a lime wedge! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Disclosure: I received products in exchange for writing a review and recipe. All opinions stated are written in my own words and I only promote products I love and support!
Joanne says
Fish taco's are so good, especially with fresh fish. I like your sauce, too.
Danielle @ Delightful Mom Food says
Thank you!
Karen Rooster Boots says
I made these last night and feel that you should be showered with unbridled thankful love! They were beyond amazingly delicious! I searched Pinterest for cod taco, and was thrilled to read this recipe.
I had actually baked a couple of nice big pieces of cod in olive oil, a little garlic, and salt and pepper the night before. I was just trying to use up some cod that needed to be used. So, I cooked the onion/lime mix in the coconut oil and then heated up the cod in that pan afterward. I bow to your greatness and hope cod goes on sale at my grocery store again soon! Thank you!!!
Danielle @ Delightful Mom Food says
Karen that is just the sweetest comment. My heart is spinning in joy to hear how much you enjoy this recipe! Thank you!
Anita says
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Danielle @ Delightful Mom Food says
Anita, these fish tacos are the best! Enjoy!
Jenny says
Delish!!!! The only this is, my fish released too much liquid which was very drippy and messy.... Not sure how to prevent this. But very, very tastey!
Danielle @ Delightful Mom Food says
Hi Jen! So glad you enjoyed this delicious cod fish recipe! When it is baked, it will naturally have liquid, so use a slotted spoon so it drains out before adding to the tacos. Or place the fish on a clean kitchen towel to absorb some of it.