Mahi Mahi Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Mango Salsa

Last Updated on June 18, 2024 by Carne Diem

Protein: Fish, Seafood

Origin: Taste of the Islands

Method: Flat Top or Griddle

Mahi Mahi Tacos are one of our favorite seafoods to make on our griddle or flat top. These spicy fish tacos are topped with a spicy chipotle slaw and a sweet chipotle and mango salsa. The tropical and smoky flavors perfectly complement the griddle fried fish. Whether you are using a Blackstone or other griddle like a Cooking Steel, this Mahi Mahi fish taco recipe is super easy to make and sure to impress.

Making the Mahi Mahi Tacos

To make these spicy fish tacos, you will need to prepare the chipotle-lime slaw, chipotle-mango salsa, and season the fish. You will need about 3 mahi mahi fish fillets for the tacos, or about 1-1.5 pounds. This is typically enough to make tacos for 5-6 people.

Selecting your Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi is a firm, surface dwelling fish.  It is a mild fish and is one of our favorite fish for making fish tacos as it is firm enough to keep its shape while cooking. In some areas you may see it called dolphin fish or dorado. When making the fish tacos with mahi mahi, you want to use the freshest fish possible. The best fish tacos are made with fresh fish, so use it is at all possible.  Fresh mahi mahi will have superior texture and flavor. If you are unable to find fresh mahi mahi you can use frozen mahi fillets for the recipe.

Making the Chipotle-Lime Crema Slaw for the Spicy Mahi Mahi Tacos

For the spicy slaw you will need sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, ground cumin, garlic powder, Greek yogurt, and slaw mix. This slaw is the perfect complement to the fish. It is a medium spice level, so if you would prefer it with a bit more heat you can increase the chipotle pepper or add a little cayenne pepper to the slaw.

If you choose to make the slaw from a head of cabbage, shred the cabbage then rinse the shredded cabbage well. Use a salad spinner to dry the cabbage and prevent it from getting soggy.

Combine the ingredients for the Chipotle Lime Crema Slaw in a small bowl. Mix to combine and cover and refrigerate until needed. We prefer to make the slaw the same day we are making the tacos, but it can be covered and refrigerated overnight.

For a different and less spicy twist on these fish tacos, swap out the spicy chipotle slaw for our Jalapeno Coleslaw With Bacon Aioli or make some Low Country fish tacos with our Lexington Style Red Coleslaw.

Preparing the Chipotle Mango Salsa for the Grilled Fish Tacos

To make the chipotle-mango salsa you will need chipotle peppers, cherry or Peppadew peppers, grape tomatoes, red onion, a serrano pepper, garlic, cilantro and salt and pepper. Finely dice the cherry or Peppadew peppers, the chipotle pepper, the serrano pepper, and the mango. Quarter the grape tomatoes. Finely chop the cilantro and mince the red onion and garlic.

Peppadew peppers come in both mild and hot varieties so you can make the salsa spicier if desired.

Combine the salsa ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Salsa can be made a day or 2 ahead of time. We actually prefer the flavor of the salsa when it as time to sit in the refrigerator for a day or two.

If you want to make a milder version of the salsa, use mild Peppadew or cherry peppers in place of the hot versions that we use here.

Seasoning the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

The seasoning for the mahi mahi fish tacos is pretty simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. To make the fish seasoning mix, combine the corn starch, black pepper, sweet paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in a small bowl and mix to combine.

The cornstarch in the seasoning helps to form a crispy exterior when you fry the fish. The paprika, cumin, and cayenne provide the perfect amount of spice to the fish.

Cut the Mahi Mahi fillets into chunks, pat dry with a paper towel, and season generously with the homemade chili powder.

After coating the mahi-mahi fillets, allow the fish to sit on a wire rack for a few minutes before you begin cooking. This helps the seasoning adhere to the surface and prepare for cooking.

Cooking the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos on your Griddle or Flat Top

These spicy fish tacos are so easy to make on your favorite flat top like a Blackstone or Cooking Steel. Preheat your griddle to medium heat, about 350 degrees. Make sure that the surface of your flat top or Blackstone is well oiled. Cooking over medium heat helps to cook the fish chunks evenly and prevent overcooking, which can result in dry fish.

For this mahi mahi recipe we chose to use our Cooking Steel griddle, but this recipe works great cooked on a griddle on your grill as well, a Blackstone or the fish taco recipe can also be made in a cast iron skillet or grill pan if needed.

Fry the Mahi Mahi on the griddle for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Mahi mahi is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 137 degrees.

If desired, warm or grill your tortillas on the flat top griddle as well.  We prefer flour tortillas for fish tacos as they hold their consistency better with the salsa and slaw and don't get soggy and fall apart like corn tortillas can.

What to Serve with Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Serve the Mahi Mahi in the warm tortillas along with the fruit salsa and spicy and crunchy slaw.  Dash with your favorite hot sauce for a little more kick. Serve with fresh cilantro, lime wedges or your favorite taco toppings. These spicy fish tacos go great with a side of Charro Beans With Hickory Smoked Bacon and Fresh Guacamole. Don't forget the Mango Habanero Margaritas or Coconut Mai Tai. The chipotle seasoned fish tacos also pair well with rice dishes, roasted corn salad, and homemade tomato soup.

Leftover fried fish should be refrigerated and is best used within 2 days. Use leftover fish as a salad topping, in a rice bowl, or for more tacos. For best results reheating the fish, rewarm to at least 140 degrees in a skillet or in an oven.

For more great Blackstone, Cooking Steel, and flat top griddle recipes check out some of our favorites:

• Grilled Peaches with Amaretto Whipped Cream
• Spicy Double Smash Burger on Texas Toast
• Japanese Teppanyaki On Your Grill
• Fried Lump Crab Cakes with Sriracha Mayonnaise
• Flat Top Chicken Fried Rice
• Breakfast Pastrami Hash
• Fried Mashed Potato Cakes with Herbes de Provence Butter

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog and try our Spicy Smash Burger. If you tried and enjoyed our recipe, please share with others and please leave us a comment and review. We also love to see your pics so don’t forget to tag us @Carne_Diem_Culinary or #CarneDiemBlog. To be notified of future recipes please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, or sign up for our e-mail notifications. Until next time, Carne Diem!

📖 Recipe

Mahi Mahi Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Mango Salsa

Carne Diem Culinary

These Mahi Mahi tacos are grilled to perfection and then topped with spicy chipotle lime crema slaw and mango-chipotle salsa. They are the perfect recipe for your flat top griddle like a Blackstone or Cooking Steel.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican, Taste of the Islands

Servings 6

Calories 239 kcal

Equipment

• Flat top or griddle

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 Mahi Mahi Fish Fillets about 1-1.5 pounds
• 10-12 Corn Tortillas

Seasoning:

• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Cumin
• ½ teaspoon Sweet Paprika
• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne

Chipotle Lime Crema Slaw

• 4 Cups Slaw Mix
• ¼ Cup Greek Yogurt
• ¼ Cup Sour Cream
• 2 Chipotle Peppers in adobo finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons Lime Juice
• ¼ teaspoon Cumin
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder

Chipotle Mango Salsa

• ¼ Cup Hot Cherry Peppers or Peppadew Peppers
• 1 Tablespoon Chipotle Pepper in Adobo chopped
• ½ Cup Grape tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Red Onion minced
• ¼ Cup Mango diced
• 2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro
• 1 Garlic Clove minced
• 1 Serrano Pepper diced
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl combine the ingredients for the Chipotle Lime Crema Slaw. Mix to combine and cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Finely dice the cherry or Peppadew peppers and the chipotle pepper. Quarter the grape tomatoes. Finely chop the cilantro.
• Combine the salsa ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Salsa can be made a day or 2 ahead of time for better flavor.
• Combine the fish seasoning spices in a small bowl and mix to combine.
• Cut the Mahi Mahi fillets into chunks and season generously with the spice mix.
• Heat your griddle or flat top, over medium heat. Make sure it is well oiled.
• If desired, warm or grill your tortillas on the griddle.
• Fry the Mahi Mahi for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Mahi mahi is dine when it reaches an internal temperature of 137 degrees.
• Serve the mahi mahi in the warm tortillas along with the salsa and slaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 20gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 909mgPotassium: 607mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 953IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 2mg

Keyword chipotle, fish, Mahi Mahi, mango, red onion, Salsa, slaw, spicy, tacos, tomatoes

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