We are big fish taco eaters. We probably eat fish tacos (or some form of taco for that matter) at least once a week.  My usually choosy husband has been transformed into a raving fish taco fan thanks to this easy seasoning blend…and as long as we make his with shrimp. He is quite the purist while the rest of us are big on accessorizing our tacos with ALL the toppings like this five minute avocado crema.

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Throw out the seasoning packet

The best thing about this recipe is you can assemble it all at once from spices you likely have on hand. The only spice that you might not have is the ancho chili powder (unless you aren’t a regular steak chili fan, then you also might need a medium heat chili powder). Don’t skip this ingredient – you’ll find yourself wanting to use it in lots of recipes calling for regular chili powder it’s that good.

Ingredients needed

The ingredient list and time you need for this super simple fish taco seasoning recipe is short and probably you have most of these in your pantry.

Here is what you’ll need:

How to make fish taco seasoning

1. Measure out the spices into a small bowl.
2. Toss gently with a fork.
3. Save to a clean small spice jar or labeled ziploc bag to use the rest next time.

It’s the definition of easy peasy, right?

Now that you have the seasoning figured out, let’s get into how to make fish tacos. It’s just as easy as the seasoning.

Best fish for tacos

Any firm white fish will do. Tilapia is a great first choice. Frozen fillets can be easily found at the grocery store or your local Trader Joe’s. They are great to keep on hand when the taco craving strikes! 

Fish taco making process

Follow these easy steps to eat fish tacos in minutes:

1. Heat a cast iron skillet on medium high. When the rim of the pan is warm, add in 1 Tablespoon of canola or avocado oil and heat until almost smoking.
2. Pat the fish dry on both sides before rubbing about 1/2-1 teaspoon of the fish spice blend on both sides of the fish. I usually use about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon per side. For shrimp, I use about 1 Tablespoon per pound.
3. Carefully place the fish into the heated skillet and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side until firm to the touch in the center. This time assumes an average tilapia fillet you’d find at the grocery fish counter.