Easy Salmon Tacos with Creamy Slaw

Food

Easy Salmon Tacos with Creamy Slaw

admin

January 23, 2023

These Easy Salmon Tacos are done in 30 minutes and make the perfect weeknight dinner. Tender salmon rubbed down with a smoky spice rub then baked till caramelized and topped with creamy slaw, pickled onions, and salty cotija for the ultimate mix of flavor and textures.

We love to serve these alongside my Mango Shrimp Ceviche and a Light Refreshing Spicy Margarita.

easy salmon tacos with creamy sauce and red onion garnish

Easy Salmon Fish Tacos

Sometimes you just want a food truck taco and let me tell you, these Easy Salmon Tacos hit the spot! Not only are they loaded with flavor, but there’s a mix of spiciness and sweetness, plus the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy.

Salmon pieces are tossed in spices that are very similar to blackening spices, but they aren’t pan-fried (and your house doesn’t become a smokey mess!). Instead, the salmon is baked which makes the recipe move quicker and is less messy!

Then, the tacos are topped with a creamy slaw that you could just eat by the spoonful. Crunchy cabbage is tossed with creamy avocados, cilantro, garlic, and fresh lime juice. It’s creamy – but in a healthy way because only the avocados are used to make it smooth and tasty.

So, when the family wants to sneak out for fish tacos – make these instead! They’re ready in under 20 minutes and I promise you’re going to love them!

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make these Easy Salmon Tacos at home.

For the Tacos:

Salmon: I recommend buying fresh salmon for this recipe, but you can also use frozen.
Smoked Paprika: The smoked paprika has a very distinct taste. Regular paprika can work if you don’t have any, but will not have that smokey flavor.
Garlic Powder: Granulated garlic can also be used.
Chipotle Chili Powder: I highly recommend using chipotle chili powder for the best flavor here. It’s smokey and spicy, and pairs perfectly with the creamy slaw.
Ancho Chili Powder: You can also use regular chili powder or use more chipotle chili powder if you can’t find this one.
Sea Salt: You could also use kosher salt.
Olive Oil: Or your favorite cooking oil.

ingredients to make a creamy slaw like cabbage, avocados, herbs, and lime juice

For the Creamy Slaw:

Avocado: I used mashed avocado to make the slaw creamy (instead of using mayonnaise).
Lime Juice: Always use fresh lime juice when you can!
Red Wine Vinegar: The extra acid makes a big difference in the flavor. You could also use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Garlic: Again, I highly recommend using fresh garlic here for the best flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: Use more or less depending on if you want the slaw to be spicy.
Salt
Shredded Cabbage: You can use green, napa, or red cabbage for this recipe.

Other:

What To Look For When Buying Salmon

When buying fresh salmon for these Easy Salmon Tacos, you want to look for a few things. You always want to make sure the is bright red or orange and not grey or dull looking. If it’s not shiny and clean, it’s not good to eat anymore.

The salmon should also have a fresh fish smell to it. It shouldn’t smell too fishy and in that case, you should not buy it.

I also prefer to buy wild salmon for sustainability reasons and I think it tastes much better.

How to Make Salmon Tacos with Slaw

Making these incredible-tasting tacos is so easy! Here’s what you need to do:

First, make the slaw. Do this by combining everything but the cabbage in a bowl to make the “dressing”.

Then add the cabbage and toss everything together. You can store the cabbage in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

mixing raw salmon in a bowl with seasonings

Next, prepare the salmon for the tacos. Toss the salmon first in a bowl with all of the seasonings. Then spread the pieces on a lined sheet tray.

cooked salmon ni a bowl alongside tortillas and slaw

Bake the salmon for about 8 minutes. See? This recipe doesn’t take that long at all! Don’t forget to turn the broiler on at the last minute to get that blackened flavor.

Then add the salmon to the tacos and top with the creamy slaw. I also like to use pickled onions and cotija cheese as a topping.

salmon tacos with creamy sauce and red onion garnish

Tips for Success

Follow these tips and you’re Easy Salmon Tacos will turn out perfectly every time!

Thaw the salmon, if using frozen. Make sure that you thaw and pat the salmon dry if you are going to use frozen filets.
Build the tacos right before serving. You can make the creamy slaw and even bake the salmon ahead of time, but I recommend not building them until you’re ready to serve or they will get soggy.
Use the creamy slaw immediately. You can make the slaw a few hours ahead of time, but it will not store well for multiple days because it has fresh avocados.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my other favorite dishes to serve alongside these tacos!

Can You Reheat Cooked Salmon?

Yes, you can reheat cooked salmon. It’s pretty easy and I recommend doing it in a saute pan or in the air fryer. Keep in mind that the salmon may break apart when it’s reheated.

Alternatively, these Easy Salmon Tacos aren’t that bad cold! The salmon holds up well refrigerated and still tastes amazing if you can’t reheat it and want to bring them as a lunch on the go.