These easy fish tacos with papaya salsa are made with flaky white fish and come together in under 30 minutes. Fresh, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light, crowd-pleasing meal for entertaining.
I’ve teamed up with Super Starr Papaya to share today’s recipe. Their papaya has a super sweet flavor, available all year round making the papaya salsa perfect anytime of the year!
We’re spoiled with so many authentic, delicious taco spots here in Central Florida, but my all-time favorite stand recently closed, and I’m still not over it. They made the best flaky fish tacos, topped with fresh-caught fish and a simple shredded papaya and cabbage mix that I crave every summer.
I knew I had to recreate them at home. While these aren’t exactly the same, they’re pretty close. My version uses flaky white fish and a quick, fresh papaya salsa that you can make ahead or throw together in about 10 minutes while the fish cooks. It’s bright, flavorful, and just as good with shrimp tacos or over blackened salmon.
ingredients for easy fish tacos
This is such an easy, classic fish taco recipe -but the papaya salsa is what really takes it up a notch, adding fresh, tropical flavors that feel restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.
Papaya Salsa
- Super Starr papaya: sweet, juicy, and the star of the salsa
- red onion: for a little bite and crunch
- fresh cilantro:adds brightness and freshness
- 1 clove garlic, minced + 1 jalapeño, minced – for a subtle kick (adjust to taste)
- Juice of 1 small lime + pinch of salt and pepper – ties everything together with fresh, balanced flavor
Fish Tacos
- white fish: cod, halibut or tilapia. Mild, tender, and perfect for tacos
- spice blend: cumin, garlic powder, chili powder for a simple, smoky spice blend
- salt and pepper: to season the fish and brighten the flavors
- fresh lime juice: or finishing and a pop of acidity
- Papaya salsa: for topping
- Tortillas: I like white corn, but yellow corn, flour or lettuce wraps also work here
Toppings for Fish Tacos
The papaya salsa is more than enough for garnish, but if you want to tszuj up the toppings even more on taco night, here are some ideas:
- Cotija cheese: salty, crumbly, and the perfect finishing touch
- Shredded cabbage : adds fresh crunch (green or purple both work)
- Smashed avocado or guacamole: creamy and balances the spice
- Mexican crema or sour cream: cool, tangy, and ties everything together
- Extra cilantro + lime wedges: for a bright, fresh finish
- Pickled red onions: adds a pop of color and acidity
- Hot sauce or chipotle mayo: for a little heat and smoky flavor
how to make fish tacos with papaya salsa
easy fish tacos with a papaya salsa
Ingredients
Papaya Salsa
- 1 Super Starr Papaya
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
- 1 small lime, juiced
- pinch of salt and pepper
easy fish tacos
- 1 1/2 pounds cod or other white flaky fish - halibut, tilapia, etc
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice – to garnish
- papaya Salsa
- corn or flour tortillas, or lettuce wraps, cotija cheese, shredded cabbage, etc to assemble.
Instructions
Papaya Salsa
- To a medium bowl, add diced papaya, diced red onion, cilantro, minced garlic and jalapeño. Gently mix to combine. Stir in the juice of 1/2 lime, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Mix well. Taste and season with additional lime juice, salt and/or pepper if desired. Can be made 1-2 days in advance.
Fish Tacos
- To a small bowl, combine cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper and chili powder to make a spice blend. Sprinkle generously over cod and set aside.
- Heat a medium skillet on medium-high heat. Once warm, add oil. Once hot, add seasoned white fish and sear 3-4 minutes. If you flip fish and it resists, allow more time to cook. Once opaque and slightly charred in color, flip and sear 3-4 more minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh lime juice. Using a fork, break apart cod into large chunks
- Assemble tortillas, with flaky seasoned cod, papaya salsa, cotija cheese and cabbage, if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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