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Crispy fish tacos with jalapeño sauce, cilantro, and Cotija cheese toppings

Crispy Fish Tacos with JalapeñO Sauce and Fresh Toppings

Crispy fish tacos with jalapeño sauce combine a crunchy beer-battered coating with fresh, creamy toppings and a bright spicy sauce. They are a flavorful choice for a quick meal or a fun gathering.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 323

Ingredients
  

jalapeño sauce
  • 1 large jalapeño (leave ribs and seeds in for more spice)
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup green onions
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
fish and batter
  • 2 lbs. (907 g) firm white fish like cod
  • 1 cup flour (see notes)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or spicy seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light beer (NA beer works too!)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • vegetable oil for frying
assembly and toppings
  • 12 flour or corn tortillas
  • cilantro for topping
  • Cotija cheese for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Blend the jalapeño, cilantro, green onions, oil, Greek yogurt, water, avocado, and salt in a food processor until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Add a little more oil or water if needed for a smoother drizzle.
  2. Pat the fish dry with paper towels and cut it into 2-3 inch pieces.
  3. Place 1/2 cup flour in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, chili powder, baking powder, and salt.
Cooking
  1. Add the beer and beaten egg to the batter mixture and stir until combined.
  2. Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan to partially cover the fish pieces and heat until a drop of water sizzles on the surface.
  3. Coat each fish piece in the plain flour, then dip it into the batter before placing it in the hot oil.
  4. Fry the fish for 3-5 minutes on each side until crisp and browned. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then sprinkle with salt while hot and allow to cool slightly.
Assembly
  1. Fill the tortillas with pieces of fried fish, cilantro, Cotija cheese, and jalapeño sauce before serving.

Notes

About the flour: Both whole wheat flour and white flour work in this recipe. White flour is more traditional, while whole wheat flour is another option. About the batter: If the batter rests, the cornmeal can settle, so stir it again before dipping the fish to redistribute the ingredients.