Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw

Take your taco game to the next level with my Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw recipe.

These delicious Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw are vibrant, bold, and refreshing all in one bite – it will make your taste buds dance. A warm tortilla wraps tender fish encrusted in a spiced seasoning that is charred black, accompanied by a tropical mango slaw, buttery avocado, tangy pickled red onions, and a zesty lime crema. 

It is the ultimate fish taco and simple to prepare at home. So let’s make every day Taco Tuesday with my Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw!

What is Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw?

Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw is a composed taco to give you a flavorful punch with every bite. Its culinary roots are a blend of Cajun and Mexican. Cajun because of the blackened fish and Mexican because of the ingredients.

What is Blackened Fish?

Blackening is a cooking technique that originated in Louisiana. The method was invented in the late 1970s by New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme. Chef Prudhomme blackened his fish to create a new bold flavor and crisp exterior on a flaky fish. It instantly became a hit in the South and quickly gained popularity in the rest of the country.

So what is the blackening technique? It is when a piece of fish, meat, or chicken is dredged in fat (usually butter or oil) and coated with various herbs and spices. Then it is cooked on high heat in a cast-iron skillet until it’s nearly charred, in other words, blackened.

The seasoning and method of cooking on high heat create a blackened crust with a distinctive texture and aromatic flavor. All while keeping the flesh of the fish, meat, or chicken tender and juicy.

What is Mango Slaw?

Coleslaw, or a “slaw,” is often considered cabbage dressed in mayonnaise. However, coleslaw is merely a salad made with shredded cabbage and dressing. The dressing can be mayonnaise-based, vinegar-based, yogurt-based, or a simple squeeze of citrus.

Therefore, Mango Slaw is a tropical salad of cabbage, carrot, mango, lime juice, and other ingredients. It combines crisp and fresh vegetables with sweet mangos in a zesty dressing to make the perfect salad for blackened fish tacos.

Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw in South Texas

Texas has three food groups – BBQ, Tex-Mex, and tacos. You might think tacos fall into the same category as Tex-Mex, but believe me, tacos in Texas are a whole other ballgame.

South Texas has the best blackened fish tacos thanks to the bountiful fresh fish from the Gulf Coast, its Cajun neighbor, Louisiana. Add the influence of Baja California-Mexican cuisine with mango, avocado, pickled red onion, and cilantro, and you have the ultimate blackened fish taco.

Although I grew up and live in Dallas, South Padre Island is like my second home. I frequently travel to the island to visit family, feel the ocean breeze, and indulge in a diet of fish tacos.

Almost every restaurant in South Padre Island has its take on signature fish tacos. Some are as simple as grilled fish with fresh lime, while others can be a fully composed Blackened Fish Taco with Mango Slaw.

Read next: The Best Things to Do in Brownsville, Texas

My inspiration for Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw comes from several trips to South Padre Island and an incredible vacation in Tulum with my kids. Despite not having blackened fish tacos in Tulum, we did enjoy some flavor-packed fish tacos. So I have combined my love of South Texas blackened fish tacos with the flavors of Mexico.

List of Ingredients for Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw

I love making everything from scratch but I am also a mom of three boys. Therefore, I know that sometimes you need to put food on the table as fast as possible. So please feel comfortable taking some shortcuts.

You can easily buy pickled red onions, blackened seasoning, and cilantro lime (crema) sauce. The Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw will still be fresh and delicious!

Otherwise, if you are making everything from scratch, here are the ingredients you need.

This is a brief overview. Please refer to the full recipe description at the end of this post.

Homemade Blackened Seasoning

• Paprika
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

Pickled Red Onions

• Red onion
• Apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Sugar
• Whole black peppercorns
• Salt

Mango Slaw

• Mangoes
• Coleslaw mix (with green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots)
• Red onion
• Jalapeño
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime juice
• Honey
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

Lime Crema

• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Salt

For Cooking Fish

• Firm white fish fillets, (Mahi mahi, halibut)
• Olive oil
• Unsalted butter, cubed

For Serving

• Avocado
• Corn tortillas, small white or yellow

How to Make Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw

Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw have a few components to make the ultimate fish taco, and it is all easy to prepare.

If you want to save time, you can prepare the homemade blackened seasoning, pickled red onions, and lime cream a day before. Then when it’s taco time, make the fresh mango slaw, blacken the fish for a crisp crust, warm the tortillas, assemble your tacos, and enjoy.

This is a brief overview. Please refer to the full recipe description at the end of this post.

Make Blackened Seasoning

Mix – together all the dry ingredients (paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground thyme, ground oregano, salt, and ground black pepper).

Make Pickled Red Onions

Boil – in a small sauce pot, add the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and whole peppercorns. Bring the pot to a low boil, and stir the ingredients until the sugar and salt are dissolved.

Soak red onions – place the sliced red onions in a shallow container. Pour the vinegar mixture over the sliced red onions. Let it sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Chill – Cover the container and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use and up to two weeks.

Make Mango Slaw

Mix – in a large bowl, add the coleslaw mix, mango, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.

Dressing – in a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, honey, salt, and ground black pepper. Pour the dressing over the mango slaw and gently toss the ingredients together.

Rest – let the mango slaw rest for 10 minutes and up to one hour. This helps the ingredients marinade together to develop more flavor. It also allows the salt and lime juice to soften and break down the cabbage.

Taste – the mango slaw and adjust with more lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper as needed.

Chill – again until you are ready to use, up to two hours is the best, or the mango slaw might begin to wilt.

Make Lime Crema

Mix – the sour cream, lime juice, zest, cilantro, garlic powder, and salt together. Taste and adjust with more lime juice as desired.

Chill – store in an airtight container until you are ready to use and up to 5 days.

Cook Fish

The fish should be sitting at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.

Prep fish – dredge the fish fillets in a shallow container of olive oil. Then sprinkle blackened seasoning over both sides of the fillets, and rub it in to coat the fish completely.

Preheat – a cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Cook – add 1 tablespoon of butter to the cast iron skillet. When the butter has melted, add the fillets of fish. Cook the fish for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is black (not burnt) and crispy. Carefully flip the fish and add a little more butter to the skillet. Cook the fish for another 2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pan. If needed, cook the fish in batches, and if so, add another tablespoon of butter between batches.

Remove – the fish and set aside to cool. Then divide the fillets of fish into lengthwise halves or chunks.

Assemble Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw

Warm tortillas – preheat a skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla on the skillet (with no oil or cooking spray) for 20-30 seconds on each side. Keep the tortillas warm by covering them in foil or a clean, damp dish towel, and keep them sealed until you are ready to use.

Assemble fish tacos – with a piece of fish, sliced avocado, pickled red onion, mango slaw, and drizzle lime crema on top. Enjoy!

Tips and Tidbits

Here are a few tips and tidbits to help you prepare Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw.

What is the Best Type of Fish for Blackened Fish Tacos?

The blackening technique requires a fish that can withstand high heat and not fall apart during cooking. So the best fish for this cooking method is a firm-fleshed fish with mild flavor, such as mahi mahi, tilapia, or halibut.

Can I Use Frozen Fish?

Yes, you can use fresh or frozen fish for blackened fish tacos. Contrary to belief, frozen fish is the best option (unless you cook right after the catch) because it’s flash-frozen at sea or soon after arriving at the port before transit. Flash-freezing helps the fish stay fresh and retain its flavor and nutrients.

The best and safest way to thaw frozen fish is by defrosting it overnight in the refrigerator. This helps the fish maintain its texture and firmness. Remove the fish from its packaging and place it on a plate lined with paper towels (you can lightly put plastic wrap on top if you desire). Rinse with water and pat dry before cooking.

Another way to defrost frozen fish is to submerge the fillets in cold water. Remove the fish from its packaging, place it in a clean plastic bag, seal it tight, and fully sink it in cold water. Check every 10 minutes to see if the fish defrosted. If the water rises to room temperature, change out the water, and refill it with cold water again. When the fish is ready, pat it dry before cooking.

Do You Have To Cook Blackened Fish in Heavy Cast-Iron Skillet?

The benefits of a cast-iron skillet are it retains heat evenly and creates a beautiful crust for blackened fish. The traditional way to cook blackened fish is in a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat, but a nonstick pan works too. You will still get a beautiful blackened crust cooking the fish in a nonstick pan.

More Seafood Recipes

• Delicious Maryland Crab Cakes with Little Filler
• Authentic Seafood Risotto from Southern Italy