Experience a burst of flavors with these delicious mahi mahi fish tacos. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, these tacos combine the mild, flaky texture of mahi mahi with a zesty blend of spices and fresh toppings. The creamy sour cream and lime juice sauce adds a tangy kick that complements the fish perfectly.
If you're not familiar with mahi mahi, it's a type of fish known for its firm texture and mild flavor, making it an excellent choice for tacos. You might also need to pick up some cumin and chili powder if they're not staples in your spice cabinet. Fresh cilantro and lime juice are essential for that authentic, fresh taste.

Ingredients for Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
Mahi mahi fillets: A mild, firm-textured fish perfect for tacos.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the fish, adds a rich flavor.
Chili powder: Adds a spicy kick to the fish seasoning.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor to the spice mix.
Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.
Tortillas: The base for your tacos, choose small ones for easy handling.
Shredded cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and freshness.
Sour cream: Mixed with lime juice to create a tangy sauce.
Lime juice: Adds a zesty, fresh flavor to the sauce.
Cilantro: Chopped fresh for a burst of herbal freshness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the mahi mahi, make sure to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel before applying the spice rub. This helps the spices adhere better and ensures a nice, even coating. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking the fish; this allows for even heat distribution and prevents steaming, which can make the fish soggy. For the tortillas, warming them in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side will give them a slight char and enhance their flavor. When mixing the sour cream and lime juice, whisk until smooth to ensure a creamy consistency that will drizzle easily over the tacos.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
mahi mahi fillets - Substitute with tilapia fillets: Tilapia has a mild flavor and similar texture, making it a good alternative for fish tacos.
mahi mahi fillets - Substitute with cod fillets: Cod is another mild, flaky fish that works well in tacos.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and smoky flavor, similar to chili powder.
chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat, but use less as it is spicier than chili powder.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a citrusy flavor that complements the other spices.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder provides a similar savory depth to the dish.
small tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps offer a low-carb alternative and a fresh crunch.
small tortillas - Substitute with large tortillas: Large tortillas can be cut in half to create smaller portions.
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce provides a similar crunch and freshness.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture with added protein.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that complements the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
Allow the mahi mahi to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
Place the cooked mahi mahi strips in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Store the tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container to maintain their texture.
For the shredded cabbage, place it in a separate airtight container or resealable bag to keep it fresh and crisp.
Mix the sour cream and lime juice together and store in a small airtight container. This prevents it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
Keep the chopped cilantro in a small airtight container or wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in a resealable bag to maintain its freshness.
When ready to reheat, warm the mahi mahi strips in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them in short bursts, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
Warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave just before assembling the tacos.
Assemble the tacos with the reheated mahi mahi, fresh shredded cabbage, sour cream mixture, and chopped cilantro for a delicious meal.
To freeze, follow the same cooling and separating steps as above.
Wrap each mahi mahi strip individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Place the wrapped mahi mahi strips in a resealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Store the tortillas in a separate freezer bag, with parchment paper between each tortilla to prevent sticking.
The shredded cabbage and sour cream mixture do not freeze well and should be prepared fresh when ready to serve.
Label the bags with the date and contents for easy identification.
When ready to use, thaw the mahi mahi strips and tortillas in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat and assemble the tacos as described above for a fresh and tasty meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover mahi mahi strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-12 minutes or until warmed through.
For a quicker method, use a skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the mahi mahi strips and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated thoroughly.
If you prefer using a microwave, place the mahi mahi strips on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly warmed.
To reheat the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
For the sour cream mixture, it's best to let it come to room temperature naturally. If you must heat it, do so gently in the microwave at low power for 10-15 seconds, stirring halfway through.
The shredded cabbage and cilantro should be added fresh, so it's best to chop and prepare new portions if needed.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder for rubbing onto the mahi mahi strips.
Skillet: Heat the olive oil in this to cook the mahi mahi strips.
Spatula: Use this to flip the mahi mahi strips while cooking to ensure they are cooked through on both sides.
Separate skillet: Warm the tortillas in this or use a microwave if preferred.
Small bowl: Mix the sour cream and lime juice in this to create the sauce for the tacos.
Knife: Cut the mahi mahi fillets into strips and chop the cilantro.
Cutting board: Use this as a surface for cutting the mahi mahi and chopping the cilantro.
Measuring spoons: Measure out the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, olive oil, and lime juice accurately.
Tongs: Use these to handle the hot mahi mahi strips when assembling the tacos.
Serving plate: Place the assembled tacos on this for serving.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-mix the spices: Combine the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder in advance and store in an airtight container.
Use pre-shredded cabbage: Save time by buying pre-shredded cabbage from the store.
Prepare the sauce ahead: Mix the sour cream and lime juice the night before and refrigerate.
Cook fish in batches: If you have a large skillet, cook all the mahi mahi strips at once to save time.
Warm tortillas together: Stack tortillas and warm them in the microwave all at once, wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Mahi Mahi fillets cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 8 small Tortillas
- 1 cup Shredded cabbage
- ½ cup Sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- ¼ cup Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Rub the mixture onto the Mahi Mahi strips.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the Mahi Mahi strips for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
- 3. Warm the tortillas in a separate skillet or microwave.
- 4. In a small bowl, mix sour cream and lime juice.
- 5. Assemble the tacos by placing Mahi Mahi strips on each tortilla, topping with shredded cabbage, sour cream mixture, and chopped cilantro.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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