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Salmon Tacos Recipe: How to Make Salmon Tacos

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Apr 22, 2022 • 3 min read

Upgrade your average Taco Tuesday celebration with these flavor-packed salmon tacos.

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What Are Salmon Tacos?

Salmon tacos are a seafood-centered twist on the traditional handheld Mexican dish featuring pan-seared salmon folded into a warm corn or flour tortilla. Red meats like grilled steak and pork al pastor are common proteins for this popular street food, but salmon tacos make a light, healthful alternative that pescatarians and carnivores can enjoy.

4 Salmon Taco Variations

Home cooks can prepare this versatile fish in various ways, from char-grilled to seared. Some of the most popular salmon taco variations include:

  1. 1. Blackened salmon tacos: For a flavorful, warm-weather take on salmon tacos, cover your fish in a Cajun spice rub and char it on the grill for a spicy, caramelized flavor.
  2. 2. Deep-fried salmon tacos: This twist on Baja-style fried fish tacos—which commonly uses flaky white fish like cod and tilapia—involves battering and deep-frying salmon and topping it with a creamy slaw.
  3. 3. Pan-seared salmon tacos: Home cooks can prepare this quick and convenient version of salmon tacos on the stovetop—searing the skin and leaving the inside slightly rare and tender—for a quick weeknight Mexican meal.
  4. 4. Salmon ceviche tacos: For a light, refreshing fish taco variation, tuck salmon ceviche into crunchy fried taco shells or flour tortillas and top with a drizzle of creamy cilantro-lime sauce. Learn how to make cilantro-lime dressing at home.

3 Tips for Making Salmon Tacos

Make the most of your tasty seafood tacos by following these simple tips:

  1. 1. Change up the seasonings. Adapt any salmon taco seasoning blend to suit your taste preferences. Add heat to the dish with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Tossing your salmon with minced garlic cloves will bring some flavorful pungency to the filling. Incorporate additional spices and herbs like ground cumin and oregano for herbaceous flavor.
  2. 2. Experiment with toppings. Customize your salmon tacos with a variety of toppings. Add extra protein with black beans or pinto beans. Top the fish with roasted and raw vegetables like peppers, onions, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Pile on traditional taco additions like pickled jalapeño peppers, sour cream, guacamole, and cotija cheese. Try a fruity salsa—like mango salsa or watermelon salsa—for a fresh and sweet variation.
  3. 3. Store leftovers properly. Store your leftover salmon and slaw in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Leftover salmon will keep well for up to 2 days, while leftover slaw will keep well for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the salmon in a pan or a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven before assembling your tacos.

Easy Salmon Tacos Recipe

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1 Ratings | Rate Now

makes

prep time

25 min

total time

40 min

cook time

15 min

Ingredients

Note: The total time does not include 1 hour of inactive time.

  1. 1

    Make the cabbage slaw. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, red onion, chopped parsley, and green onions.

  2. 2

    Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt and the lemon juice over the cabbage mixture, and toss the ingredients to combine.

  3. 3

    In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a ½ teaspoon of black pepper.

  4. 4

    Pour the dressing over the cabbage. Using tongs, toss the slaw to fully coat it with dressing.

  5. 5

    Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Prepare the salmon. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of black pepper.

  7. 7

    Season the salmon filets with the spice blend on both sides.

  8. 8

    In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the avocado oil.

  9. 9

    Add the seasoned salmon to the hot pan and cook until the skin is golden brown and the meat is opaque, about 4–5 minutes per side. Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the fish toward the end of cooking.

  10. 10

    Transfer the cooked salmon to a cutting board and flake the meat into bite-sized chunks.

  11. 11

    Divide the salmon across the warm tortillas and top with a generous portion of the cabbage slaw. Top the tacos with sliced avocado and serve with lime wedges on the side.

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