Tilapia Fish Tacos
These tilapia fish tacos are an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love. Flavorful and tender, these tilapia filets spiced and pan seared before being paired with a quick slaw and a cilantro lime dressing. Ready in 20 minutes!
Tacos are always one of my go-to meals for busy nights. Easy to make, flavorful, filling, and easy to change up, tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays!
I love using tilapia in tacos because they have a mild flavor compared to other fish. That makes them great for serving to kids, and awesome to pair with all the best taco toppings.
Try these other awesome taco recipes:
How to make fish tacos
These tacos are so easy to make! For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.
Make the Dressing:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt, lime, cilantro and salt.
- Place in the fridge until ready to eat.
Make the Cilantro Lime Slaw:
- Toss all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Place in the fridge until ready to eat.
Cook the tilapia
- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Pat the fish filets dry with a paper towel and then season on both sides.
- Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat with oil. Cook the filets for 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Use a fork to break up the fish into large chunks.
Assemble the tacos
- Warm tortillas in another clean skillet.
- Assemble taco with slaw and fish.
- Serve with your Greek dressing.
*Recipe Note: You can substitute the tilapia for cod, founder, or sole, too.
Prepping ahead of time
This recipe is quick on its own, but if you need to help make this even quicker, try these tips:
- The dressing and slaw can be prepared ahead of time. Store them in separate containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- The spices for the fish can be pre-measured and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
How to store leftovers
Allow the fish to cool down completely. Store the cooked fish, dressing, and slaw separately in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
How to reheat
Reheat fish in the microwave.
How to serve this to your family
To make a full meal, serve these tilapia tacos with a side of Mexican green rice or seasoned black beans. Having some Arepas con queso on the side would also be awesome!
Want to take these to the next level? Serve them with homemade sourdough tortillas or easy pineapple salsa!
Allow kids to prepare their own tacos by filling their shells with the tilapia chunks, slaw, and dressing. For younger kids, serve the tacos deconstructed on the plate instead of wrapping them up in the tortilla.
How to make tilapia fish tacos kid friendly
Yes, fish tacos can totally be kid-friendly food! To help kids be interested in and more likely to try and enjoy this meal, get them curious about the food through conversation, inviting them into the kitchen, and allowing them to have some control over how they create their own tacos on their plate.
Dinner conversations with kids
How we talk about our food with our kids is as important as what you put on their plate. Change the conversation from bite management to an exploration of how a meal looks, smells, and tastes.
Try these dinner conversation starters.
- What colors do you see in this meal? How could we add more colors?
- These tacos are made with tilapia. What else have we eaten with Tilapia?
- What other kinds of meat do we use to fill our tacos?
- What other toppings do you think would be good on these tacos?
Read more about how to explore the sense of taste with your kids.
Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook
Inviting your kids into the kitchen to cook with you is a great way for them to connect with the foods you are serving. It helps them feel more ownership for what you are eating, and helps them feel pride that they have created a meal for their family. And all that helps them be more likely to eat it!
This recipe for tilapia tacos is simple and is great for kids to practice their cooking skills.
- Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure the spices, mix the dressing, and mix the slaw.
- Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus season the fish, and break it into chunks for the tacos .
- Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above, plus help you cook the tilapia filets.
*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.
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Tilapia Fish Taco Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the fish
- 2 tilapia filets thawed
- ½ teaspoon Sea salt (affiliate link)
- ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 cup white cabbage sliced
- 1 cup red cabbage sliced
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Sea salt to taste
To serve
- 8 corn tortillas
- Lime
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Make the Dressing:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt, lime, cilantro and salt.
- Place in the fridge until ready to eat.
Make the Slaw:
- Toss all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Place in the fridge until ready to eat.
Cook the tilapia
- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Pat the fish filets dry with a paper towel and then season on both sides.
- Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat with oil.
- Cook the filets for 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Use a fork to break up the fish into large chunks.
Assemble the tacos
- Warm tortillas in another clean skillet.
- Assemble taco with slaw and fish.
- Serve with your Greek dressing.
I’ve made these Tilapia tacos multiple times and we love this recipe! We have it at least once a week now. I’m not much of a fish person, but tilapia is a mild fish and the seasonings kick it up a notch! So good! Thanks Jenni!