These SUPER flavor packed Blackened Fish Tacos with Southwest Slaw are perfect for your Cinco de Mayo party!
Es el tercero de Mayo amigos!
So that means in a few days it’s Cinco de Mayo, and time to grab yourself a fancy schmancy margarita, (perhaps one of my Watermelon Mint Margaritas), and get ready to chow down big time on some terrifically tasty Mexican food!
This year Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby share the same day. So since I’ve already shared my Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders to celebrate the Derby, today it’s all about these Blackened Fish Tacos with Southwest Slaw to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
I love anything with a blackening spice. It gives meat, fish or poultry such bold, intense flavor. There are some delicious store-bought blackening spices, but I usually go the homemade route. I make a big batch at the beginning of grilling season, so whenever I get the craving it’s right at my fingertips. I just drizzle whatever I’m grilling with a bit of olive oil, whether it’s chicken, steak, shrimp, fish, whatev, and then sprinkle away. I used tilapia for today’s tacos, but feel free to substitute your favorite fish or even shrimp.
As much as I love the blackened tilapia for these tacos, I’m all about this Southwest slaw. It’s a combo of cabbage (I use the pre-shredded slaw mix from the market to make it really quick and easy), corn, black beans, red pepper, jalapeno, red onion, a few spices, the juice of a whole lime, and some of my favorite, Sir Kensington’s Chipotle Mayo. Have you guys tried it? It’s rich and creamy with a fantastic smoky flavor that’s the perfect dressing for this slaw. This slaw is amazing on tacos or even served as a side for your summer cook outs. You’re gonna love it!
Hope y’all have an awesome Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received Chipotle Mayonnaise from my friends at Sir Kensington’s to create this recipe.
Blackened Fish Tacos with Southwest Slaw
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Southwest Slaw:
- 1 14 oz. bag green cabbage with carrots
- 1 15 oz. can black beans
- 1 11 oz. can corn
- 1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 whole jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/3 cup Sir Kensington's Chipotle Mayo
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Blackening Spice
- 2 Tbsp. paprika
- 4 tsp. thyme leaves
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. black pepper
Fish
- 1 lb. tilapia fillets
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
To serve:
- 8 flour tortillas, I like to spray my tortillas with nonstick cooking spray and lightly brown on both sides in a skillet over medium heat.
- lime wedges
- Cotija cheese, crumbled (if desired)
Instructions
Slaw:
- Combine all slaw ingredients in a large bowl. Toss well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator. This recipe makes a generous portion of slaw. Store remaining slaw in airtight container in fridge for up to two days.
Blackening Spice:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended.
Fish:
- Drizzle the tilapia fillets with olive oil. Sprinkle each fillet generously with blackening spice. (You will have extra blackening spice. Store remainder in a small jar for later use. ) Let fish sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until fish is opaque. Remove from pan and place on plate. Flake fillets with a fork.
Assembling Tacos:
- Top each warm tortilla with some fish and slaw. Serve with crumbled Cotija cheese and lime wedges.
I don’t know what I love more – the fish component or that slaw! These are perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any day for that matter! Pinned! Cheers to a wonderful weekend, my friend! XOXO
I love that slaw! Perfect as a side for your next BBQ too Dawn!
Sounds like an absolutely perfect fish taco! And since I could eat fish tacos every day, I’ll be trying these :)
I love fish tacos Jennifer! Mahi, tilapia, fresh flounder. I’m up for anything!
Oh yes ! It seems to have Mediterranean kick, at least from my side :-) Thank you and enjoy Cinco de Mayo !
You’re quite welcome! Hope you give these a go!
We had it two hours ago and enjoyed every single bite ! Thank you so much ! Keeping it to repeat during summer !
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed it!
I am SO excited for Cinco de Mayo, and totally ready to devour all the tacos while sipping on pitchers of margaritas! ;) These blackened fish tacos look perfect, Mare! I’m with you on blackened anything – soooo good! I’m loving that slaw too!!! Pinning! Cheers, lovely!
Cinco de Mayo is always so fun! And this years we’ve got the Derby on the same day. Busy, busy! I’m hoping the weather stays gorgeous like it is right now! Sipping margaritas on the deck while enjoying a few fish tacos sounds like a plan! Happy weekend ahead! XO
Oh man – these look amazing!! I’ll take a couple with your gorgeous margarita to sip, please!
Thanks Annie! Perfect with a margarita!
Fish tacos are my favorite food on the planet and I am loving your southwest slaw. It gives me a new way to mix it up! Happy Cinco de Mayo girl!
Happy Cinco de Mayo to you too Karen! Fish tacos are my fave too! Trying to get Tom on board…slowly, but surely!
Fish tacos are my favorite! I could eat them every single day and not get bored. I’m totally trying these because I’ve never blackened my fish before throwing it in a taco. SO GOOD!
You’ll love the blackening spice Kelsie. And I think you’ll really enjoy the slaw too! Happy weekend!
I love tacos and especially fish tacos. Your blackening spices are perfect Mary Ann. You are such a great cook. Pinned!
Me too Gerlinde! Thanks so much! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Looks like I am having these tacos tonight!
Woohoo! Enjoy Jennifer!
I looove fish tacos and I can’t wait to try out your recipe! I was planning on carnitas, but maybe I need fish tacos instead!:)
Sounds like a good plan Leigh Ann! Enjoy! I think you’ll love that slaw too!
That spice! That mayo! Hello deliciousness! You know I love all the flavors here, Mary Ann! Such a fun recipe and packed with goodness!
I LOVE Sir Kensington’s products Traci! This mayo is delicious! I’ll be making these tacos and switching out the fish to shrimp or chicken all summer long!
I love everything about these tacos, so fresh and full of flavor! The mayo sounds wonderful, I will look for it!
You’d really enjoy it Chris! It’s my fave!
So perfect for this weekend MaryAnn!
Yes! We’ll be celebrating for sure!
I love tacos and fish and this recipe is among my favorite — thank you! Will prepare this for the whole family..
So glad you’re liking these Codrut! Hope you enjoy them!
That slaw looks amazing! Probably good on anything! Thanks for sharing!
I think you’d love it Karly!
I’m totally adding these to my Cinco de Mayo menu! Love fish tacos!!!!
Woohoo! Enjoy Kevin!
I love recipes like this because they inspire adaptations. For example, my husband doesn’t care for tilapia. However, I can adapt this recipe and use the amazing spices on chicken or pork and he’d love it! Thanks for the inspiration.
Perfect with chicken or pork Christina! You’re very welcome. Enjoy!
Two major events on the same day??? That could be a whole lot of partying and eating! I love fish tacos and these look amazing! Love that slaw…I could eat that all by itself. :)
You definitely could Kathy! It’s perfect for summer BBQ’s!
I love this southwest slaw, Mary Ann – so fresh, crunchy and zesty too. This is the kind of salad that I love having in the fridge so I can eat it all day – packed with veggies and great flavors – my kind of salad! I’m going to have to be on the lookout for chipotle mayo – I haven’t see that before.
You’ll definitely need to try it Geraldine! I love all their products, but their chipotle mayo is one of my faves!
Oh man! I’ve been working with a personal trainer to improve my core strength & drop body fat. It’s more of a challenge than anything (to prove I can do it. . .even in my forties) for me as I’m already in the athletic range but boy do I miss tacos. . .especially fish tacos. On the positive, the filling would be A-ok for me to eat. Only problem is it will be difficult for me to stop.
Everything in balance Lynn! You’re a hard worker when it comes to working out, so you deserve it!! Go for it!
Love fish tacos, and that southwest slaw sounds amazing Mary Ann! What a great addition to Cinco de Mayo, or any summer gathering!
I love fish tacos too Leanne. I’ll be making this slaw all summer long too!
Fish tacos are hands-down my favorite type of taco. I’m going to be making these all summer long! And I need to get some of that chipotle mayo – yum!!
You’ll love the mayo Tessa! Hope you enjoy!
I love fish tacos and these look so flavorful and delicious!
Thanks Laura! We love them too!
This sounds amazing! I love fish tacos and will need to try this recipe
I love fish tacos too Jenny! Hope you enjoy these!