These light and fresh salmon tacos are ready in just 15 minutes. A smoky and slightly spicy rubbed grilled salmon on top of crunchy slaw in a soft tortilla - all topped with a delicious avocado cream. Serve with crunchy tortilla chip and dips for a Mexican feast.
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You can never have too many taco recipes in your life, and this salmon taco recipe is one of our favourites. A great way to use salmon and getting your family eating more fish and a really light and fresh taco that is perfect for summer.
Easy to adapt with different salads, vegetables and toppings, it's a real crowd-pleaser.
If you are looking for more salmon recipes, take a look at our delicious Honey and Garlic Salmon, simple Air Fryer Salmon or our party-favourite Salmon Pate.
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Why You Will Love It
- Quick - This recipe for salmon tacos is ready in 15 minutes. Who says you can't have incredible meals in just 15 minutes.
- A new way to enjoy salmon - If you are bored of just eating grilled salmon with sides, this is a great way to use it.
- Easy to adapt - The great thing about tacos is that they are so adaptable. Lots of suggestions below.
- A light summer meal - These salmon tacos just scream summer evenings!
- Great for feeding a crowd - Need something easy to make for a dinner party? This is it!
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Salmon - We used boneless salmon fillets for these tacos and it doesn't matter if they have skin on or not. The salmon will be topped with our homemade spice rub, and there is more on that below. If you have some salmon haters in your house, you can grill halloumi for them.
- Soft Tacos - For us there is really no choice when it comes to the tortilla. It has to be a soft one, we love corn tortillas and these keep it gluten free. However, if you prefer crunchy tacos then you can use a crispy taco shell instead.
- Slaw- These tacos are bulked out with a lettuce, cabbage and carrot mix (one of those ones you buy in a bag at the supermarket). However, you can use any salad mix you like. One that has spinach in it would be a nice way to give it a green boost. Or you could just use a creamy slaw, there are lots of options here.
- Cheese - Creamy feta is a great addition to these salmon tacos and adds a nice saltiness to them too. However, if you want to keep it more traditional then you could add queso fresco/cotija cheese. Although not at all traditional, you could add some grated cheddar if that is all our had, or keep it cheese free.
- Avocado Cream - These tacos are finished off with a deliciously simple avocado cream, that makes a nice change from guacamole. We just blended an avocado with some yogurt and lime juice and drizzled it on top before serving. You could use guacamole instead though.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Salmon Tacos - Step by Step
- Step 1: Mix together the paprika, cumin, chili powder and salt and pepper and rub over the salmon. Put the salmon under the grill (broiler) for 12 minutes, until cooked through.
Alternatively you can pan fry in a skillet over a medium heat.
- Step 2: Make the avocado cream by adding to a food processor the avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice and water and blending until smooth. If you don't have a food processor, then you can mash it all together in a bowl, but you won't get as smooth a sauce.
- Step 3: Once the salmon is cooked, use a fork to flake it.
- Step 4: Build your tacos by adding salad to the soft tacos, top with the salmon, tomatoes and feta and then spoon over the avocado cream.
Taco Seasoning
Most of the flavour in this dish comes from the salmon seasoning. The great thing about it, is that is is so adaptable. You could use less chilli powder, or leave it out completely, if you are making these for kids.
You a smokey and spicy paprika/chilli powder mix isn't your thing, then you could use a cajun seasoning on this, or even curry powder for a twist.
Serving Suggestion
These make quite a nice light lunch, but if you wanted a more filling meal (or if you are serving them up to a few people), there a some delicious extras that you could serve these tacos with.
Start with some homemade tortilla chips and salsa, and then a bowl of refried beans or some grilled corn would go well. Extra avocado cream on the side wouldn't hurt too - it makes a tasty dip.
Give these tacos an even fresher feel by serving them with our Easy Pineapple Salsa or Mango Salsa.
If you want these to go a bit further, then serve them with some more filling sides like Peri Peri Fries, Spanish Rice or Air Fryer Potato Slices.
Extra Tips
- If you don't have a food processor, then you can mash the sauce ingredients together in a bowl, but you won't get as smooth a sauce.
- If you are making these for younger children, then use less chilli powder (or leave it out) and leave out the salt.
- Add some extra crunch by topping the tacos with slices of radish.
- We used crumbled feta on top of these tacos, but you can use queso fresco to keep it more traditional if you can find it.
- If salmon isn't your thing, then you could swap it for cod, or even some king prawns.
- Use a lettuce leaf instead of a taco to save some calories.
- Why not gently toast your tortillas over an open gas flame on the hob to give them a bit of colour.
- Give the tacos a squeeze of lime juice before serving to lighten it all up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When they only take 15 minutes to make, there's really no need to make them ahead of time. Freshly cooked salmon is always better than reheated anyway. You could make the avocado cream earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge for when you are ready to make these tacos.
We never usually have an issue with leftover tacos, as we eat them within minutes of them hitting the table. However, if you do any any leftover then you can wrap them up in foil and keep them in the fridge for 24 hours. They are great for work/school lunches, or even packing for a picnic.
Absolutely, just swap the flour tacos for corn tacos and you have a gluten free taco! Or to save some calories as well as making them gluten free, use a large lettuce leaf and wrap all the filling up in that.
More Taco Recipes
If you've tried this salmon taco recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Salmon Tacos with Avocado Cream
Ingredients
- 480 g (1 lb) Salmon fillets
- 0.5 tablespoon (0.5 teaspoon) Paprika
- 0.5 tablespoon Chipotle powder (or any chilli powder)
- 0.5 tablespoon Cumin
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 8 Soft tacos
- 200 g (7 oz) Crunchy lettuce/cabbage mix - shredded
- 1 Avocado
- 4 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
- 1 Lime - (juice only)
- 2 tablespoon Fresh coriander (cilantro) - cilantro
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) Water
- 2 Tomatoes - diced
- 50 g (0.33 cups) Feta - crumbled
Instructions
- Mix together 0.5 tablespoon Paprika, 0.5 tablespoon Cumin, 0.5 tablespoon Chipotle powder (or any chilli powder) and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper and rub over the salmon. Put the salmon under the grill (broiler) for 12 minutes, until cooked through.
- Make the avocado cream by adding to a food processor 1 Avocado, 4 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt, juice of 1 Lime and 2 tablespoon Water and blending until smooth. If you don't have a food processor, then you can mash it all together in a bowl, but you won't get as smooth a sauce.
- Once the salmon is cooked, use a fork to flake it.
- Build your tacos by adding 200 g Crunchy lettuce/cabbage mix to 8 Soft tacos, top with the salmon, 2 Tomatoes and 50 g Feta and then spoon over the avocado cream.
- Sprinkle with 2 tablespoon Fresh coriander (cilantro).
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have a food processor, then you can mash the sauce ingredients together in a bowl, but you won't get as smooth a sauce.
- If you are making these for younger children, then use less chilli powder (or leave it out) and leave out the salt.
- Add some extra crunch by topping the tacos with slices of radish.
- We used crumbled feta on top of these tacos, but you can use queso fresco to keep it more traditional if you can find it.
- If salmon isn't your thing, then you could swap it for cod, or even some king prawns.
- Use a lettuce leaf instead of a taco to save some calories.
- Why not gently toast your tortillas over an open gas flame on the hob to give them a bit of colour.
- Give the tacos a squeeze of lime juice before serving to lighten it all up.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Brittany says
I love when meals come together QUICK and are still nutritious and delicious! Well done.
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Love this recipe Danni, right up my street and will have to try it as I'm sure the family would love it too:-)
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
This didn't show up on my feed and that is NOT OK.
And now I want tacos, and a margarita, dammit.
Emily Leary says
This really looks great.
Anne's Kitchen says
Mmm the salmon looks crispy and the avocado cream looks lush! I love everything about this dish!! yum!
Michelle says
I love all the colours in this. Great recipe!
Mir says
Wow. You have hit on two of my favorite things: salmon and tacos. I LOVE salmon tacos, especially when the weather gets warmer. This is fabulous, Dannii!
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
I love Mexican food! These tacos sound and look super delicious! Pass me some, Dannii :)
Anita-Clare Field says
Salmon, avocado, Mexican flavours. WIN ! This looks absolutely delicious and I've got a piece of salmon that is crying out for this.
Janice says
This looks so good! I love tacos and have made fish tacos before but not with salmon, must try it.
marcie says
This is my kind of meal, Dannii! I love salmon, Mexican flavors, and of course the 15 minute thing! :)
Kathy Widenhouse says
I had never thought to use salmon for tacos. What a yummy and nutritious idea, esp with the avocado and Greek yogurt. Thanks so much!
Fran says
This is going to be dinner tomorrow night. Salmon is one thing my whole family can agree on, so I am always looking for new ways to eat it.
Sarah @tamingtwins says
I bought some salmon this week and haven't had any for ages before that. Will definitely give this a try, they look so tasty.
Carlease Burke says
Thank you so much Dannii! I love salmon, cooking and discovering new recipes. I'm adding all these ingredients to my shopping list today! I'm signing up to receive your recipes and I'll be looking for more on the Ultimate Blog Challenge fb page.