Salmon Tacos with Creamy Slaw

These Easy Salmon Tacos are done in 30 minutes and make the perfect weeknight dinner. Tender salmon is rubbed down with a smoky spice rub, 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

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 (so your house won’t become a smoky mess!). Instead, the salmon is baked, which makes the recipe move quicker and keeps the clean-up simple!

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 nice and rich, 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!

(Also, if you can’t get enough when it comes to fish tacos, be sure to try these Baja fish tacos, too. Or, treat yourself to some more easy salmon dinners by making this air fryer honey garlic salmon or this garlic butter baked salmon.)

Why You’ll Love This Salmon Tacos Recipe

These salmon tacos are about to become your family’s favorite fish dinner! Here’s why:

• Flavor-packed. These tacos are seasoned with smoked paprika, spicy chili powders, tangy lime juice, and so much more. They’ll wow your taste buds from the first bite!
• Perfect texture. Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth salmon and creamy avocado slaw are a divine combination.
• Quick and easy. It takes 10 minutes to prep the salmon and the slaw, and 10 minutes to cook and assemble the tacos. That’s all!
• Great for any occasion. Salmon tacos can be made for a casual weeknight dinner, but they’re also perfect for a dinner party!

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make these easy salmon fish tacos at home. (Check out the recipe card for exact amounts and the full directions!)

For the Salmon

• Salmon: I recommend buying fresh salmon for this recipe, but you can also use frozen.
• Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika has a very distinct taste. Regular paprika can work if you don’t have any, but it won’t have the signature smoky 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 smoky 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.

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: 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: Again, use sea salt, kosher salt, or whichever kind you prefer.
• Shredded Cabbage: You can use green, napa, or red cabbage for this recipe.

To Assemble the Tacos

• Tortillas: Use the tortillas of your choice – corn, flour, whatever you like!
• Toppings: I like to add in pickled onions and cotija cheese. For more options, check out the topping ideas section below!

What to Look For When Buying Salmon

When buying fresh salmon for these salmon tacos, you want to look for a few things. You always want to make sure that the fish 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. If it smells too fishy, 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 tender and flaky salmon tacos is so easy! Just follow these simple steps:

• 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.

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

• 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 seasoning flavor.
• Finally, add the salmon to the tacos and top them with the creamy slaw. I also like to use pickled onions and cotija cheese as a topping.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips and tricks and your salmon fish 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 don’t recommend building the tacos 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.

Substitutions & Topping Ideas

As mentioned above, I like sprinkling some pickled onions and cotija cheese on top of my salmon tacos, but you definitely have other options:

• Cilantro Lime Crema: I’m a big fan of the creamy avocado slaw, but you could always top your tacos with crema and an assortment of fresh veggies, too.
• Salsa: There are so many routes to go here. You could try mango salsa, pineapple salsa, etc.!
• Queso Fresco: If cotija cheese isn’t your thing, try some crumbled queso fresco instead.
• Other Taco Fillings: Shredded pork or shrimp will also work beautifully in these tacos.

What Goes With Salmon Fish Tacos?

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

• Salsa and Guacamole: Taco night wouldn’t be complete without fresh guacamole and salsa! My fresh homemade salsa is a must-make recipe.
• Side Dishes: My favorite taco side dishes include fresh mango salsa (linked above – you can eat it as a salad or on top of the tacos), chili lime corn salad, and easy black beans.
• Margaritas: The spicy margarita recipe linked above is a great choice, and so is this classic margarita recipe!

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

If you don’t end up eating all the salmon, go ahead and store it for later. Here’s the best way to do that:

• To store. Leftover salmon can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. (The slaw is best eaten fresh, so I don’t recommend trying to store it.)
• To reheat. Reheating salmon is pretty easy – I recommend doing it in a sauté pan or in the air fryer. Keep in mind that the salmon may break apart when it’s reheated. Alternatively, these 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 it as a lunch on the go.

More Easy Salmon Recipes

Looking for more salmon dinner ideas? I highly recommend these ones!

• Honey Mustard Pecan Crusted Salmon
• Easy Whole30 Baked Salmon with Spice Rub
• Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
• Pan Seared Salmon with Brown Butter Sauce
• Honey Mustard Baked Salmon

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