Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn Salsa

A terrific grilled fish tacos recipe topped with fresh sweet corn salsa. This super healthy dinner is perfect for summer. Ready in 30 minutes and gluten-free!

Recipe first published September 1, 2015. Last updated, May 18, 2022.

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Lately we’ve been grilling practically every single night.

I normally don’t grill white flaky fish—it can quickly overcook, fall through the grates, you name it—but last night I decided to grill this lovely piece of cod and man the goodness of that char was lost on no one.

This fish tacos recipe takes fresh pieces of fish like cod or halibut (more on the best fish for fish tacos below) coats it in a smoky, slightly spicy rub and then cooks it until it gets a little bit of char on the outside and still tender on the inside.

That grilled fish gets tucked in some warm tortillas and topped with a fresh corn salsa made with red onion, fresh herbs, and lime juice. These fish tacos are the best summer has to offer and you’d be crazy not to try them.

More To Explore

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Radish Pico de Gallo

Wild Alaskan Cod Fish Tacos with Toasted Corn Salad

Cilantro-Lime Fish Taco Slaw

what’s in the rub?

Marinating meat is nice but a basic spice rub like this smoked paprika and chile recipe is one of the easiest ways I know to incorporate flavor in a flash. I like this combo below, but a chili powder, cumin mix is also really good.

The rub also compliments the sweet, succulent fish without compromising its delicate texture as some vinegary marinades tend to do. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Ground coriander
• Kosher salt
• Smoked paprika
• Ground black pepper
• Ground cayenne powder

what’s in the salsa?

The sweet corn salsa is a necessity given our backyard crop which seems to ripen at the rate of like a dozen ears an hour. It’s a blessed problem and I’ll gladly carry the burden especially when I can make salsas like this one to use it up.

If you don’t have corn growing footsteps from your back door try to find some at a Farmer’s market or farm stand, the milk-and-honey sweetness of the corn combined with the spicy kick of chile really makes this salsa sing. Here’s all the salsa ingredients:

• Fresh sweet corn
• Red onion
• Red Fresno chiles or jalapeños
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt

what’s the best fish for fish tacos?

Liked I mentioned before, grilling fish can be tricky because it is so delicate. Choosing fish that has a thicker fillet and is more firm makes it so much easier. I like to make this fish tacos recipe with several types of fish that are good on the grill like cod, mahi mahi, bass, or halibut.

If you want to make tilapia fish tacos those might be better pan-fried or broiled. Tilapia fillets are more delicate than cod or halibut and can easily fall apart on the grill.

how to make fish tacos!

step one

Make salsa. The first step is to make the salsa. This will give the flavors time to meld and marinate while you prepare the tacos. Letting it sit 30 minutes is great.

You’ll want to blanch the sweet corn, just to soften the kernels a bit. I like to boil it for 2-3 minutes in a pot of salted water then run the cobs under cold water to stop the cooking.

Combine the oil, lime juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl, whisk to blend. Cut the corn off the cob and add, along with all the other salsa ingredients to the bowl. After it has sit for about 20 minutes, give a taste and season with salt as needed.

step two

Make the grilled fish tacos. Heat your grill to medium high heat. While that is going, mix together the rub ingredients. Sprinkle the rub all over both sides of the fish. Drizzle with olive oil and let sit about 15 minutes while you warm the corn tortillas.

step three

Grill the fish. Once the grill is ready, clean the grill grates and rub the grates with oil. Grill the fish until lightly charred and is easily flaked with a fork, about 4 minutes per side.

After you’ve grilled the fish, assemble the tacos by tucking the fish into warm tortillas, topping with the corn salsa, some cilantro, lime, and even sour cream if you want. Other toppings could include hot sauce, Pico de Gallo or using shredded cabbage to make a cabbage slaw.

grilling tips

Let’s talk grilling for a sec. Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill there are a few techniques that lead to grilling success.

1. Get the grill nice and hot before putting any food on it.
2. Clean the grill grates (I like this grill brush) and rub the grates with oil right before putting on the fish.
3. Put the fish on the grill then close the lid and leave it alone. Let it cook undisturbed for at least 2-3 minutes before attempting to flip it. Once it releases easily from the grill it is ready.

more taco recipes to try!

• Shredded Beef for Tacos {Carne Deshebrada}
• Citrus Chicken Fajitas
• Vegan Chipotle Mushroom Tacos
• Summer Squash Tacos
• Pork Tinga Tacos
• Slow Cooker Short Rib Tacos
• Wild Alaskan Cod Fish Tacos

the low key, healthy dinner you’ve been looking for

These Grilled Fish Tacos are simply put—satisfying! Let me know when you make it by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating) ! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!

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