Your New Taco Tuesday Favorite!
Looking for a fresh, flavorful fish taco recipe to bring to your next Taco Tuesday? These Grilled Fish Tacos with Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce and Cilantro-Lime Slaw will be a hit! They’re easy to make, packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors, and best of all, they only take 30 minutes to whip up. Whether you're using flaky mahi-mahi, snapper, or another mild white fish, this recipe is sure to become a favorite fish taco recipe.

Why This Recipe Works for Families
Fish tacos are a great way to introduce fish to picky eaters. The mild flavor of the grilled fish paired with a tangy slaw, creamy sauce, and warm tortillas creates a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Plus, it’s customizable—kids can pick their favorite toppings like avocado slices, fresh pico de gallo, or even a little mango salsa for sweetness. It’s also a fantastic way to get the whole family involved—someone can grill, another can whip up the slaw, and little hands can assemble tacos!
For the Grilled Fish:
- 1 lb white fish fillets (mahi-mahi, snapper, or grouper)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce:
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- A sprinkle of sugar
- Salt, to taste
For the Cilantro Lime Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage (or red cabbage if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pico de Gallo:
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 serrano pepper, finely chopped (or jalapeño)
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt, to taste
For the Cilantro-Lime Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice (pre-cooked)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt, to taste
For the Grilled Corn:
- 4 ears of corn, shucked
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- Salt, to taste
Assembly:
- Corn tortillas (gluten-free)
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Extra cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook the Rice (10 minutes):
Start by cooking your rice according to the package instructions. Fluff it up with a fork, then stir in the lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Set it aside for later.
2. Prep the Grill (5 minutes):
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F).
Brush your fish filets with olive oil and sprinkle with the spice blend: smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat the ears of corn with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with paprika and a pinch of salt.
3. Grill the Fish and Corn (7-8 minutes):
Grill your fish for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily. It should develop a nice char without sticking to the grill.
Grill the corn for about 7-8 minutes, turning frequently to get an even char. Once done, cut the kernels off the cob.
4. Make the Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce (2 minutes):
In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, mayo, lime zest, lime juice, garlic powder, and a bit of sugar. If desired, add a dash of hot sauce for some heat. Stir until smooth and creamy.
5. Prep the Cilantro-Lime Slaw (2-3 minutes):
In a medium bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, lime juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Let the slaw marinate while you finish up.
6. Make the Pico de Gallo (2-3 minutes):
Combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, serrano (or jalapeño), cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let the flavors meld together as you prep the rest of the meal.
7. Assemble the Tacos (3-4 minutes):
Warm your corn tortillas on the grill for about 20-30 seconds on each side. Fill each tortilla with grilled fish and a scoop of Cilantro-Lime Slaw.
Top with Pico de Gallo and drizzle with Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges.

Substitutions & Tips
- Fish: If you can’t find mahi-mahi or snapper, try tilapia or cod. For a different take, shrimp tacos are also fantastic with this recipe!
- Tortillas: Corn tortillas are traditional, but feel free to use flour tortillas if you prefer.
- Slaw: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or even a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Sauce: Don’t have Greek yogurt? Sour cream works just as well for the creamy garlic lime sauce.

FAQ
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prep the slaw, pico de gallo, and creamy sauce a day ahead. Just store everything in an airtight container in the fridge. Grill the fish and corn fresh for the best results.
Q: What’s the best type of fish to use for tacos?
A: Look for flaky white fish like mahi-mahi, snapper, or cod. These mild fish absorb the flavors of the seasoning well and grill beautifully.
Q: How do I keep the fish from sticking to the grill?
A: Make sure your grill is well-oiled and preheated to medium-high heat. Brushing the fish with olive oil also helps prevent sticking.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Creamy Sauce, Slaw, Rice and Corn
Ingredients
For the Grilled Fish:
- 1 lb white fish fillets mahi-mahi, snapper, triggerfish, or grouper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce:
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
- A sprinkle of sugar
- Salt to taste
For the Cilantro-Lime Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage or purple if you prefer
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pico de Gallo:
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 serrano pepper finely chopped (or jalapeno)
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt to taste
For the Cilantro-Lime Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice pre-cooked
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
- Salt to taste
For the Grilled Corn:
- 4 ears of corn shucked
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- Salt to taste
For Assembly:
- Corn tortillas gluten-free
- Shredded Cheese optional
- Extra cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Rice (10 minutes):
- Start cooking your rice according to the package instructions. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes.
- Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Set aside.
Prep the Grill (5 minutes):
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Brush your fish fillets with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the corn with olive oil (or melted butter) and sprinkle with smoked paprika and a pinch of salt.
Grill the Fish and Corn (7-8 minutes):
- Grill the fish fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until they have grill marks and flake easily. Remove and set aside.
- Grill the corn for about 7-8 minutes, turning frequently, until lightly charred on all sides. Once done, cut the kernels off the cob.
Make the Creamy Garlic Lime Sauce (2 minutes):
- In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, mayo, lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, honey, and a pinch of salt. Add hot sauce if you like a bit of heat. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
Prep the Cilantro-Lime Slaw (2-3 minutes):
- In a medium bowl, toss together shredded cabbage, lime juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Let it sit and marinate while you finish up.
Make the Pico de Gallo (2-3 minutes):
- Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño (if using), cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl. Stir well and set aside to let the flavors meld.
Assemble the Tacos (3-4 minutes):
- Warm the corn tortillas on the grill for about 20-30 seconds per side.
- Add a few chunks of grilled fish and some slaw.
- Top with pico de gallo and garnish with creamy garlic lime sauce.
Plating & Tips:
- Serve the tacos alongside the cilantro-lime rice and grilled corn.
Pro Tip for Timing:
- While the rice is cooking, prep the slaw, pico, and garlic lime sauce. Grill the fish and corn at the same time to keep things efficient.
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