Crispy, tender, and flavorful battered fish - topped with Baja white sauce, cabbage, and salsa. These beer battered fish tacos will put your favorite restaurant tacos to shame. I like to serve these with our salsa fresca and a side of refried beans.
Why This Recipe Works
I can still remember the first time I ate a fish taco. It sounded terrible. I was resistant to try it. I was 14 years old, and I had traveled to San Diego, CA to visit my aunt. She picked me up from the airport and insisted we stop at Rubio's. All I can say is that it was love at first bite. This recipe replicates the taste of a restaurant fried fish taco, and can be made without leaving the house.
About The Ingredients
All of the ingredients in this recipe can be purchased at your local grocery store. Here are a few items to note:
- Firm white fish - there are several options of white fish you can use for this recipe. Cod is popular, but you can also use Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, halibut, tilapia or bass. You just want it to be flakey and white.
- Mexican beer - beer is included in these beer battered fish tacos. It add depth to the batter and helps it to cook up light and crunchy. The alcohol cooks off, so you don't need to worry about it being and adult only dish, but you can sub club soda if you'd like.
- Oil for frying - Peanut oil and canola oil are ideal for use in deep fryers because of their high smoke points. You can also use avocado oil.
- Shredded cabbage - you can use pre-shredded cabbage, of you can thinly slice a fresh head of cabbage. I like to use a mix of purple and green.
- Your favorite red salsa - we have several options for salsa's here on the blog. Our salsa Fresca, chipotle salsa, or Pico de Gallo all taste great on these tacos.
Pro Tip: If fresh fish is not available, choose frozen - it is frozen fresh and will give you the best flavor next to fresh from the market. You can find frozen cod in the freezer section of your grocery store.
A complete list of ingredients is located in the recipe card below.
How Do I Make The Battered Fish?
Step 1: Combine flour, baking soda, egg, garlic salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add beer.
Step 2: Whisk until combined.
Step 3: Dust each piece of fish with flour. Dip in batter and make sure it is completely coated.
Step 4: Heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pro Tip: Use a versatile thermometer like Thermoworks. You can test the temperature of your oil, and your fish with it. You can also use this thermometer for candy making - so it saves money and space in your kitchen.
Step 5: Deep fry fish for a few minutes on each side - until golden brown, or until internal temp reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Step 6: Make white sauce but combining yogurt, mayonnaise, and garlic salt - stirring until combined. Set aside.
Step 7: Assemble tacos by layering a warm corn tortilla.
Pro Tip: There are a few ways to heat corn tortillas:
- On a skillet: Heat a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium to medium-high heat. Heat tortillas 30-60 seconds per side or until they warm and crisp.
- On a gas burner: you can also heat them directly on your gas burner. This gives those nice charred edges.
- Microwave: Another option is You can also heat your corn tortillas in a microwave or oven by wrapping your tortillas in a damp paper towel.
Step 8: Add cabbage.
Step 9: Add fried fish.
Step 10: Top with red salsa or pico.
Step 11: Drizzle with white sauce.
Step 12: Serve with a squeeze of lime juice.
Baja Beer Battered Fish Taco FAQ
Peanut oil and canola oil are ideal for use in deep fryers because of their high smoke points. You can also use avocado oil.
You want to use a deep pot or high sided saute fan for frying. You need enough room to safely cook with about an inch of oil.
Yes - for beer battered fish tacos without beer you can sub club soda.
Beer battered fish, white sauce, red salsa, and shredded cabbage are a must. Serve with a lime wedge and you'll feel like you're back in baja. This also goes great with tortilla chips and Mexican beans.
Using beer batter for making fried fish keeps the outer crust light, crisp and airy, rather than doughy. The natural sugars in beer also help create that crispy golden-brown color of the beer battered fish.
Expert Tips
Fresh vs Frozen Fish: If fresh fish is not available, choose frozen - it is frozen fresh and will give you the best flavor next to fresh from the market. You can find frozen cod in the freezer section of your grocery store.
How to Heat Corn Tortillas: There are a few ways to heat corn tortillas:
- On a skillet: Heat a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium to medium-high heat. Heat tortillas 30-60 seconds per side or until they warm and crisp.
- On a gas burner: you can also heat them directly on your gas burner. This gives those nice charred edges.
- Microwave: Another option is You can also heat your corn tortillas in a microwave or oven by wrapping your tortillas in a damp paper towel.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like these Beer Battered Fish Tacos, you are also going to love these other dinner recipes:
- Blackened Salmon Tacos - If you love a good fish tacos recipes you will love this one. Complete with a chipotle sour cream sauce and corn relish. This is the ultimate dinner recipe.
- Citrus Slaw Tacos - this is a copycat of Wahoo's famous tacos. These are just about as good as food gets! Tender chicken, and tangy slaw in warm corn tortilla.
- Refried Beans - complete you meal with Rubio's style refried beans. We tell you the secret ingredient to doctor up canned beans to taste just like the restaurant makes them. Semi-homemade for a 5 star rating recipe.
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Baja Beer Battered Fish Tacos // Rubios Copycat
Equipment
- food thermometer
- skillet
Ingredients
Beer Battered Fish
- 4 filets firm white fish see notes
- ½ cup flour
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 cup of mexican beer
- peanut or canola oil
White Sauce
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Red Salsa
Taco Fixins'
- 8 warm corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- cilantro
- limes
- red salsa
Instructions
Beer Battered Fish
- Combine 1 cup flour, baking soda, egg, garlic salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add beer. Whisk until combined.
- Dust each piece of fish using the ½ flour. Dip in batter and make sure fish is completely coated.
- Heat oil to 375 degrees. Deep fry fish for a few minutes on each side - until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel to drain.
White Sauce
- Combine yogurt and mayo in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Taco Assembly
- Assemble tacos by layering white sauce, fish, cabbage, and red salsa in a corn tortilla. Serve with lime and cilantro.
Video
Notes
- On a skillet: Heat a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium to medium-high heat. Heat tortillas 30-60 seconds per side or until they warm and crisp.
- On a gas burner: you can also heat them directly on your gas burner. This gives those nice charred edges.
- Microwave: Another option is You can also heat your corn tortillas in a microwave or oven by wrapping your tortillas in a damp paper towel.
kathi Puplava says
Question:
Do I use Baking Powder or Baking Soda? Recipe says Baking Powder, but photo shows a box of Baking Soda. Thanks!
Kadee says
Hi there! Sorry for the mistake. It is baking soda. I've corrected the recipe card.
Emily Kemp says
These tacos sound amazing, proper comfort food!
Nikki says
This is the most delicious recipe! I made it last night for my family and every 10 minutes someone was saying how good it was! I owe don't drink so I was a little worried about using alcohol so I just used non-alcoholic beer and it still tasted amazing!
Kadee says
So glad you loved the recipe Nikki!
cheryl larimer says
I am making this recipe tomorrow for my husbands birthday party. We have a freezer full of fresh walleye caught just 2 days ago. I had no idea the white sauce was so easy and I hope mine turn out as good as yours look.