Make delicious white fish tacos with mango mint salsa as a quick and easy weeknight meal! This healthy and flavorful dinner is perfect for Taco Tuesday and doesn't require much time in the kitchen. With flaky white fish, sweet mango, and a hint of mint, these tacos are sure to become a family favorite.
We love making these white fish tacos for family dinners. They’re not only delicious but also fun to assemble with our favorite toppings. The combination of flaky white fish and the refreshing mango mint salsa brings a burst of summer flavors to the table, no matter the season. It's a great way to get the kids excited about eating more fish and fresh fruits!
One of the best parts about this recipe is its versatility. Sometimes we even grill the fish in a fish basket on weekends for that extra smoky flavor. Whether we're using haddock, cod, or tilapia, the result is always a hit.
Plus, the mango mint salsa pairs beautifully with so many other dishes—we often make an extra batch to enjoy with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled chicken and veggie burgers. It's a quick, easy, and healthy meal that brings a bit of brightness to our weeknights.
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Why You'll Love These White Fish Tacos
- Delicious flavor: the combination of flaky white fish and sweet, tangy mango mint salsa creates a burst of flavor that is hard to resist in this lighter meal. Perfect for Taco Tuesday.
- Healthy meal: sustainably sourced white fish is a great source of lean protein, and the mango mint salsa adds vitamins and antioxidants to the dish.
- Easy to make: this recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Versatile: you can customize the recipe to suit your taste by adjusting the amount of spice, adding additional toppings, or using a different type of white fish.
You can't have tacos without amazing, easy to make taco shells! Try these easy cassava flour tortillas to wrap around your white fish tacos, brightened with a fresh mango salsa. And add a side of crunch cabbage salad or an easy zucchini ribbon salad to complete your meal.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make white fish tacos:
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- White fish: I used haddock to make this recipe, but feel free to substitute with your favorite kind of fish like cod, halibut, tilapia, or mahi-mahi for the best fish tacos.
- Cumin, paprika, cayenne: adds great depth of flavor to the fish. Onion powder can be swapped in to mix up the flavors.
- Ripe mango: adds natural sweetness and juiciness to the mango salsa. Fresh varieties of mango are available in the summer months. Look for mangoes that have a fruity aroma and are slightly soft to the touch. Fresh ingredients are key for fresh salsa.
- Chives: adds a slight garlicky note without an overwhelming onion flavor. Substitute with scallions (green onions) or red onion in the sweet mango salsa.
- Mint and cilantro: rich in antioxidants, these herbs elevate the fresh flavor in this easy mango salsa or any dish. Substitute with fresh parsley or basil.
- Jalapeño: adds the right amount of heat. Swap in serrano pepper for more heat.
- Lemon: brightens the flavor of the salsa.
- Tortilla shells: use store-bought gluten free tortillas for your tacos or try these easy cassava flour tortillas with lime as the perfect compliment to the white fish.
How to Make Healthy Fish Tacos
- Step 1: Place fish filets on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Mix cumin, paprika, cayenne, and salt together in a small bowl and sprinkle on fish.
- Step 2: Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of your fish. The fish is ready when it can easily be flaked with a fork. Transfer fish to a serving dish.
- Step 3: While the fish is baking, prepare ingredients for mango mint salsa.
- Step 4: Combine mango salsa ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and gently mix.
Step 5: Assemble Tacos: Serve flaky fish in a warm tortilla topped with mango salsa, shredded cabbage (red or green), chopped green onions, and extra cilantro with a side of tortilla chips.
Expert Tips and Variations
- Choose the right fish: When making fish tacos, choose a mild-flavored white fish that is firm enough to hold up to grilling, baking, or frying.
- Season the fish well: To add flavor to the fish, marinate it for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Add a grind of black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, fresh chopped garlic cloves, or homemade taco seasoning to create new flavors.
- Cook the fish just right: Whether you grill, bake, or fry the fish, it's important not to overcook it. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork but is still moist and tender.
- Warm the tortillas: To ensure that the tortillas are soft and pliable, warm them up in the oven or on the grill before serving. I like corn tortillas or my easy cassava tortillas.
- Offer a variety of toppings: Fish tacos are all about the toppings, so offer a variety of fresh and flavorful options such as mango salsa, black beans, guacamole, shredded cabbage, chopped red bell pepper, or diced tomatoes.
- Serve with lime wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity to fish tacos, so be sure to serve them with plenty of lime wedges.
- Grill fish: Grill marinated fish in a non-stick large skillet, or large non-stick grill pan with a splash of oil on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes to 4-5 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Blot with a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
Serve with a squeeze of lime or lemon juice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and a serving bowl of the fresh mango salsa.
Common Questions
Yes, white fish can be a great choice for making tacos! White fish tends to have a mild flavor and a flaky texture, which makes it a great option for pairing with bold and flavorful toppings such as mango salsa, avocado, and lime. When making fish tacos, it's important to choose a type of fish that is fresh and has been sustainably sourced. You can grill, bake, or pan-fry the fish, and then serve it on warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Some popular types of white fish that work well for a healthy dinner of tacos include cod, halibut, tilapia, and mahi-mahi.
Several types of white fish are considered healthy and nutritious. Choose sustainably and responsibly sourced options:
Cod: A lean white fish that is a good source of protein, vitamins B12 and B6, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Halibut: A firm white fish that is rich in protein, potassium, and vitamin D.
Tilapia: A mild-tasting fish that is low in calories and fat, but high in protein, vitamins B12 and D, and phosphorus and selenium.
Mahi-Mahi: A mild-tasting white fish that is a good source of protein, potassium, and vitamin B12.
Flounder: A lean white fish that is low in calories and fat, but high in protein and vitamins B12 and B6.
Haddock: A lean white fish that is rich in protein and vitamins B6 and B12.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store fish and salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to two days. Assemble right before eating.
More Easy Recipes to Try
Recipe
White Fish Tacos with Mango Mint Salsa
Equipment
- 1 rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Ingredients
SEASONED WHITE FISH
- white fish filets (575 grams)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
MANGO MINT SALSA
- 2 ripe mangos, peeled and diced
- ½ cup (20 grams) fresh chives, chopped
- ½ cup (22 grams) loosely packed fresh mint leaves, chopped
- ⅓ cup (5 grams) loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and deveined, small dice
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 organic lemon, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tortilla shells
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- Place fish filets on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Mix cumin, paprika, cayenne and salt together and sprinkle on fish.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. The time depends on the thickness of your fish. The fish is ready when it can easily be flaked with a fork. Transfer fish to a serving dish.
- While the fish is baking, combine mango mint salsa ingredients in a medium sized bowl and gently mix.
- Assemble and serve flaky fish in a warm tortilla topped with mango salsa, shredded cabbage (red or green), and chopped green onions, and extra cilantro with a side of tortilla chips.
Notes
- Store fish and salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to two days. Assemble right before eating.
- Offer a variety of toppings: Fish tacos are all about the toppings, so offer a variety of fresh and flavorful options such as mango salsa, black beans, guacamole, shredded cabbage, chopped red bell pepper, or diced tomatoes.
Sarah
This was my first time adding mint to mango salsa and it was so good! I will be making these again
Jacqui Wilson
Hi Sarah, I'm so glad you enjoyed the salsa with the tacos!