Healthy and Delicious Fish Tacos Using Halibut
Below: Find out how to make healthy fish tacos with a homemade purple cabbage slaw that not only tastes good but is anti-inflammatory also!
My all-time favorite kind of food is tacos, and growing up in Mexico, I have tried many varieties. One of my favorites has always been fish tacos, which makes sense since I grew up on the coast.
Of course, tacos are not always the most healthy food, but they actually are better for you than a lot of other antojitos or street food. Today I am going to show you how to make these easy fish tacos using halibut fillets which is one of my favorite types of fish for tacos.
Fish is one of the white meats that is very good for an anti-inflammatory diet. Although red meat can be good in moderation, it is more difficult to digest, especially when your immune system is already compromise and causing inflammation, so it is best to avoid it when possible.
That is why you will see a lot of fish-based recipes on this website. It is not just because of that, but also because, like I said, I grew up on the coast of Mexico and I used to go and get the fish with my family fresh out of the ocean and that is why I grew up loving seafood.
I will always remember finding all types of seafood – shrimp, octopus, crabs, and more. I learned so many great recipes from my mom and my abuela that I am excited to share with all of you.
What type of fish do you use for fish tacos?
Tacos are such a versatile type of food. You can turn basically any ingredient into a taco. If you have leftover meat from the night before, you can eat it in a taco. Do you have cooked veggies? If so, you can make a vegetarian taco. In this case, we are using pieces of fish to make some exquisite tacos. Just make sure that you have removed the bones first and that you accompany it with something like avocado since many types of fish can dry out when you cook them.
I like to use halibut, but you can also use something else like tilapia, which is another great option, or any other white fish fillets. It is interesting how different fish have different flavors and depending on which one you choose, your recipe will change.
Why is fish good for an anti-inflammatory diet?
Fish is one of the white meats with a high volume of selenium and omegas 3, 6, and 9. They are easy to digest as long as you are no allergic. For this recipe, I used halibut which is loaded with antioxidants that can help repair damaged cells and lower inflammation levels. Omega 3 is also good for prevening heart problems, ahthritis, and even cancer. It also has niacin and magnesium which can help relax your body and finally, it can also help your skin stay healthy.
Now, imagine all of those great benefits, multiplied even more by adding other nutrients by accompanying it with fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cabbage!
It is important to remember, however, that although fish is healthy, you should still be aware that some fish have high levels of mercury and purines. Halibut is low in mercury, but it has high levels of puries, which means you should eat it in moderation if you have high levels of uric acid or have been diagnosed with gout.
How do you cook halibut?
Halibut is a delicate, low fat meat, which means that it is easy to overcook and dry out. However, if you cook it the right way, it is one of the most flavorful fish that you will find.
If it is a thick fillet, you should cook it in a pan with a little bit of olive oil for 5-9 minutes, but if it is smaller 3-4 minutes is sufficient. You can also cook it in the oven instead for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees.
All you need to season it is salt, pepper, and cumin to taste.
How do you make delicious fish tacos?
All you need to make this recipe are a few simple ingredients. The flavor comes from the fish itself, which you will season with salt, black pepper, and cumin. In addition, to add some additional flavor that you won’t forget, we will be making a fresh cabbage slaw using avocado oil mayonnaise. You can then add your favorite toppings for tacos, such as cilantro, lime juice, and a tasty salsa.
These are the ingredients you will need to gather for these fish tacos with red cabbage slaw.
- 2 large halibut fillets
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
- 1 cup of shredded carrots and broccoli
- 1 1/2 cup of shredded purple cabbage
- Lime juice from one lime
- Warm Corn tortillas or flour tortillas (grain free tortillas are ideal if you are on an anti-inflammatory diet)
- Salsa Roja
- Fresh Cilantro
- Jalapenos (for a little kick of spice)
- Or other fresh toppings like feta cheese or cotija cheese
To make this recipe, season the halibut with salt, pepper, and cumin and cook for 3-10 minutes, depending on the thickness, in a pan with a little bit of olive oil over medium heat. Once it is done, you can break it into smaller pieces before adding it to the fresh corn tortillas with the rest of the ingredients.
For the slaw, just combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. You can then spoon it onto the tacos and add your toppings of choice before enjoying the best fish tacos of yor life!
The fresh flavors in this recipe will surprise you and you will be coming back for more. I encourage you to experiment with differents kinds of fish and your choice of tortilla. You can also season the fish in a different way with a dry rub or another seasoning mix.
Let me know below how it turns out!
Healthy Fish Tacos recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Halibut Fillets
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cumin
For the cabbage slaw
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrot and Broccoli Mix
- 1 1/2 Cup Shredded Purple Cabbage
- 3 Tbsp Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
- 1 Lime the Juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
For the Tacos
- 10 Corn Tortillas or Flour or Grain Free
- Fresh Cilantro
- Jalapenos
- Salsa Roja
- Feta Cheese Optional
Instructions
- Season the halibut with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Cook the halibut by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and cooking the fillets on each side for about 5-10 minutes depending on the thickness.
- Set aside and break up into smaller pieces
- Make the cabbage slaw by combining the ingredients and mixing well.
- Form the tacos by adding a small amount of the cooked fish to a warm tortilla and topping with the slaw and other toppings as desired.