Mango Salsa Tilapia Tacos (Printable)

Pan-seared tilapia with zesty mango salsa in warm corn tortillas

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Tilapia

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (approximately 1 pound 2 ounces)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ For the Mango Salsa

10 - 1 large ripe mango, diced
11 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
13 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
14 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Juice of 1 lime
16 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ For Assembly

17 - 8 small corn tortillas
18 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
19 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of each fillet, then drizzle with lime juice.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place tilapia fillets in the pan and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a plate and break into large chunks.
03 - While fish cooks, combine diced mango, chopped red onion, diced bell pepper, minced jalapeño, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a mixing bowl. Toss gently to combine without breaking down the mango.
04 - Heat corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for approximately 30 seconds per side, or warm in a microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 1 minute.
05 - Layer shredded red cabbage onto each warm tortilla, top with tilapia pieces, then spoon mango salsa generously over the fish.
06 - Arrange assembled tacos on a serving platter and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The mango salsa brings this crazy bright sweetness that makes you feel like youre eating somewhere tropical even when its raining outside
  • Everything comes together in thirty minutes flat but tastes like you spent way more time thinking about it
  • The spice rub on the fish gives it this restaurant quality smokiness that people always ask about
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd your pan when cooking the fish or it will steam instead of sear and youll lose that gorgeous crust
  • The salsa needs at least ten minutes to hang out so the flavors can meld together properly
  • Warm tortillas make or break the whole experience so please dont skip this step
03 -
  • Buy mangoes a few days ahead and let them ripen on the counter until they give slightly when you press them
  • Toast your cumin and paprika in a dry pan for thirty seconds before rubbing onto the fish for next level flavor
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