The Ultimate Crispy Baja Taco (Best Baja Fish Taco Recipe)

By: Prasanna| Published: 7:35:00 AM




Try this ultimate crispy Baja Taco (Best crispy battered fish tacos), an amazing combination of crispy fried fish,served in a cozy warm tortilla with pickled cabbage slaw,pico de gallo and flavorful chipotle crema.If you love Mexican fish tacos then these fried fish taco recipe along with amazing baja sauce recipe makes an amazing combination to fix delicious dinner in no time.These baja style fish tacos are the BEST! Just try these baja fish taco recipe with baja fish taco sauce makes so good!




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Airy batter fried crispy Baja Taco is the ultimate crispy fish taco that you will experience at home,with so many amazing toppings.



If you have been to Baja California Peninsula or not, but the moment you will sunk your teeth into these crispy battered fish tacos served with citrus cabbage, pico de gallo and topped with creamy chipotle cream sauce(the best fish taco sauce), you will experience the ultimate food satisfaction that you wont be able to describe. It's seriously that good.




I had tried these Tacos long time back and when I wanted to recreate the same magic at home I was wondering how do I go about making them without going to Baja California.




When I made them served with hot and crispy fish wrapped in warm tortilla the first bite was so amazing!




 What are Baja Fish Tacos?



Whether you are Mexican food lover like me or no,when you will try these baja style fish tacos,you will definitely start to love Mexican food .



These fried fish tacos are batter fried crispy fish(they not pan fried or baked ,but you can go for that if you do not wish for deep fried fish) served in a corn tortilla (you can optionally use flour tortilla) with pico de gallo,citrus crispy cabbage slaw and baja fish taco sauce.




Where do these Baja Fish Tacos come from?


Baja Fish Tacos originated in Ensenada,a coastal city in Baja Peninsula, Baja California, Mexico. The Baja Peninsula (Baja California Peninsula) extends from Tijuana, near the U.S. border, to Cabo San Lucas.







Best ever Baja fish taco with cabbage shredded slaw and cilantro cream



What fish is used in Baja fish taco recipe?


A firm ,flaky and white fish is the best choice for these Baja Taco. Normally the choice is ranging from Halibut, Mahi Mahi, Cod, Tilapia, Grouper, Flounder.


The best one is cod, cut into 1/2 inch thick piece and normally 3 inch long is the best choice.



Baja Fish Taco Sauce Recipe


The sauce options that would go well with these fish Tacos are various but the one that I have made is with Chipotle Chili in Adobo Sauce.


But you can make simple creamy white sauce also to go with these fish tacos. Just whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, pepper powder, garlic powder and lime juice.


How to serve fish tacos?


To serve these amazing fish tacos, start the assembly by warming the corn tortillas in microwave or on a skillet. 


If you are using microwave then cover the tacos with a damp cloth or kitchen tissue and microwave for every 10 seconds and check on them.


What are some good toppings to put on tacos?


For Toppings on these fried fish tacos use these:

  • Salsa Verde
  • Pico de gallo
  • Avocado slices
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Creamy Chipotle sauce
  • Creamy white sauce (mentioned above)
  • Citrus crispy cabbage slaw



Crisp fried fish taco just like baja style with pico de gallo



What are the ingredients for baja fish taco recipe?



Firm White Fish:  Use the flaky,firm kind of fish for this recipe. There are lot of choices available but the best one to use is cod.


Chipotle Cream:  In a blender pour all the ingredients mentioned and blend till smooth. I have used Chipotle in adobo sauce, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and sugar.


Crispy Cabbage Slaw:  Sliced/ shredded cabbage tossed in lime juice,salt and black pepper powder makes this citrus slaw. 


Pico de gallo:  For this mix together chopped tomatoes, red  onion chopped, jalapeno chopped, garlic powder, cilantro and lime juice.


Corn Tortilla:  These fish tacos are usually served with corn tortilla but if you cant find them then go ahead and use flour tortilla.



Baja Fish Taco Recipe



Step1: Clean and cut the fish into 1/2 inch thick pieces which are normally 2 or 3 inch long.

Marinate these fish pieces with salt,black pepper powder and refrigerate.



Step2:  Make the citrus cabbage slaw by mixing the shredded cabbage with salt, lime juice, black pepper powder. Toss well and refrigerate.



Step3:  Next in a blender add the ingredients mentioned for Chipotle sauce and blend well. Keep this refrigerated too.


Steps to make Pico de gallo/ cabbage slaw


Step4:  In a mixing bowl add the ingredients mentioned for batter except the soda water/sprite(if you consume alcohol then use beer).


Right before frying the fish add the soda water/sprite/beer to the batter and whisk.


Step5:  Once the oil to fry the pieces is hot,dip the individual fish pieces in batter and fry on medium heat till crisp,golden brown.


Steps to make batter fried fish

how to make perfect batter fried crispy fish


Step6:  Drain the fried fish pieces on a wired rack to drain  the pieces and keep crisp. 


Step7:  Immediately assemble the tacos and serve,enjoy the taco while the fish is crispy and hot and sauce is cool.



steps to make baja fish tacos with cabbage slaw and chipotle sauce


Tips to make the best baja taco:


  • Make sure the fish pieces are dry and do not have water. This will allow the batter to stick to the fish pieces.

  • The batter should be of pancake batter consistency not watery but thick.

  • Right before frying the fish add the soda water /sprite /beer  to the batter and whisk. Do not mix the soda and keep aside and fry later,this will cause the batter to deflate and fish wont be crispy and airy.

  • Do not fry the fish on high heat as the fish will get burned and outside cover will be black.

  • Serve the tacos while the fish is fried fresh,as the more time the fish sits it starts to get soggy.




The Ultimate Crispy Baja Taco (Best Baja Fish Taco Recipe)

Savory Bites Recipes
Published 04/01/2019
Baja Fish Tacos
These Baja Fish Tacos are a combination of amazingly crispy fried fish by dipping fish in a coating of fluffy airy batter,fried to perfect golden brown color,served in a cozy warm tortilla with pickled cabbage slaw,pico de gallo and flavorful chipotle crema.

Ingredients

  • For Fish:
  • 12 Pieces of White Fish (Cod Fillets/Mahi Mahi/Halibut/Tilapia), 1/2 Inch thick and 3 Inch long
  • Salt as per need
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder
  • For Batter:
  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Sprite / Soda Water / Beer
  • Salt as per need
  • 3/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • Oil for deep frying
  • For Chipotle Crema:
  • 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/3 Cup Mayonnaise
  • Salt as per need
  • 1/2 tsp Sugar
  • 1 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Cilantro,chopped
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • For Crispy Cabbage Slaw:
  • 1/2 Cup Cabbage,shredded
  • Salt as per need
  • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder
  • For Pico de Gallo:
  • 2 Roma Tomatoes,chopped
  • 1 Small Red Onion,chopped
  • 1/2 Jalapeno,chopped,seeded
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 2 Tbsp Cilantro,chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
  • To serve:
  • 12 Soft Corn Tortillas – 6 Inch/ Flour Tortilla, 6 Inch
  • Lime wedges
  • Cilantro chopped

Instructions

  1. In a bowl clean and pat dry the fish pieces.
    Marinate them with salt and black pepper powder.
  2. In a blender,blend together all the ingredients mentioned for Chipotle crema.
  3. In a bowl mix all the ingredients mentioned for batter except the soda water/sprite/beer.
    Mix it right before frying the fish.
  4. In a separate bowl make the citrus cabbage slaw.
  5. In another bowl mix the ingredients to make pico de gallo.
  6. Heat oil in a deep frying pan and when its hot(to check this drop a small drop of batter and it rises to the top immediately then the oil is ready)
  7. Mix the soda water / beer in the batter and dip each fish piece to coat the batter and slowly drop in oil to fry.
    Fry till golden brown.
    Drain and keep the fish to drain oil on wired rack.
  8. To assemble,heat the corn tortilla covered in damp kitchen tissue in microwave every 10 seconds interval.
  9. Place the tortilla,add the cabbage slaw,pico de gallo,fish,chipotle crema,cilantro chopped,lime juice and serve immediately.
Yield: 12 Servings
Prep Time: 00:20:00 mins.
Cook time: 00:20:00 mins.
Total time: 40 mins.
Tags: Mexican food,Taco,Restaurant-style,Baja fish taco

Recipe Notes:
  • Make sure the fish pieces are dry and do not have water. This will allow the batter to stick to the fish pieces.
  • The batter should be of pancake batter consistency not watery but thick.
  • Right before frying the fish add the soda water /sprite /beer  to the batter and whisk. Do not mix the soda and keep aside and fry later,this will cause the batter to deflate and fish wont be crispy and airy.
  • Do not fry the fish on high heat as the fish will get burned and outside cover will be black.
  • Serve the tacos while the fish is fried fresh,as the more time the fish sits it starts to get soggy.




Baja fish taco with chipotle crema served on a plate



Other Taco recipes you might be interested in:












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A close look of Baja fish taco with chipotle crema

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Hi, I'm Prasanna!

I will be the first one to admit that I am an accidental food blogger. I love trying out new recipes and giving them a twist of my own. Hope you enjoy trying out the recipes ... do leave me your valuable feedback 😊

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    Comments

    1. I decided to try your recipe versions of Baja fish tacos, and I gotta say they are darn near the real thing. I've grown up going to Ensenada for fish tacos, and being that I'm not as near geographically, I'm loving the fresh taste. Definitely recommend THIS recipe for fish tacos 🥰

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