Inspired by our search for the best fish taco in San Diego, these simple battered Baja fish tacos are dressed with a bright and smoky Chipotle Crema.
In other words, if you can’t make it to San Diego soon, these fish tacos will hold you over in the interim.
Strips of fresh tilapia are first coated in cornstarch and dried out in the refrigerator to ensure a crispy texture. The tilapia then gets dipped in a fragrant beer batter and fried until puffed and golden. The batter is light, crisp, and most importantly, lets the flavor of the fish come through.
Nestled into a warm corn tortilla, the battered fish is topped with crunchy shredded cabbage, bright cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a thin crema flavored with lime and chipotle in adobo. These Baja fish tacos are best enjoyed immediately, and with plenty of ice-cold beer!
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Crispy Baja Fish Tacos with Chipotle Crema Recipe
Thanks to a two-step breading and the help of beer, these Baja fish tacos are an extra crispy take on the classic Mexican recipe.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds white fish flaky fish such as snapper, cod, mahi mahi, or tilapia
- 3/4 cup cornstarch divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder divided
- kosher salt
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup lager beer preferably Mexican
- neutral oil (like canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil) for frying
For The Crema:
- 2/3 cup Crema or sour cream
- 1/3 cup good-quality mayonnaise
- 3 chipotles en adobo sauce or chipotle puree
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice plus more to taste
For Serving:
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups red cabbage
- Lime wedges for serving
- cilantro leaves for serving
Instructions
- Prepare The Fish: Cut each tilapia fillet in half lengthwise. Keep the shorter half of the fillet whole, but cut the longer half in half again widthwise. To a large bowl, add 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 2 teaspoons kosher salt, whisking to combine. Add the strips of tilapia, and toss until evenly coated. Transfer the fish to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes or overnight. Meanwhile, make the crema.3/4 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, kosher salt, 2 pounds white fish
- Mix The Crema: Combine the Mexican crema, mayo, chipotles, lime juice and a pinch of salt in a small food processor or blender, and process until smooth. The crema should be fairly thin. Season to taste with additional kosher salt and lime juice. Flavors should be bright and bold.kosher salt, 1/3 cup good-quality mayonnaise, 3 chipotles en adobo sauce, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, 2/3 cup Crema or sour cream
- Fry The Fish: When ready to fry, whisk together 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup flour and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a large bowl. Add beer, and whisk until smooth. To test the consistency, dip a whisk into the batter, then pull up. If the batter runs off the whisk in a steady, thin stream, it’s perfect. If it doesn’t hold to the whisk, it’s too thin. Whisk in a little flour and test again. If the batter runs off the whisk in a slower, thicker stream, it’s too thick, whisk in a little beer and test again. Set batter aside for 15 minutes before using.3/4 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, kosher salt, 1/2 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup lager beer
- Meanwhile, fill a large cast-iron pot with enough oil to reach a depth of 2-inches, and preheat oil to 350°F. Working in batches, dip the fillets in the beer batter one at a time, making sure the fish is fully coated. Let excess batter drip off, then carefully lower the fish in the oil. Don’t overcrowd the batches as this will cause the temperature of the oil to drop quickly. Fry the fish until golden brown and cooked through (4 to 5 minutes). Transfer to a wire rack and immediately sprinkle with salt.neutral oil (like canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil)
- Assemble The Tacos: To make the fish tacos, place 1 or 2 pieces of fried fish in a warm tortilla with shredded cabbage. Squeeze a lime over the fish and cabbage, then drizzle with chipotle crema. Finish with a few cilantro leaves. The fish tacos are best enjoyed immediately!2 cups red cabbage, Lime wedges, cilantro leaves
PERSONAL NOTES
Nutrition
Calories: 612kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 50gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 664mgPotassium: 839mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1252IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 172mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!
