Grill/Barbecue

Fish Taco Salad

by:
October  4, 2022
5
1 Ratings
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Fish tacos, well crafted, have got to be one of the best dishes ever. Mmm, mucho bueno!! And late spring through summer is the perfect time to enjoy them. There are times however, when tortillas and all the fixings sound a bit heavy and require more energy and input than I'm willing to expend.
Solution: Salad!
This tossed salad is 1) a great way to clean out your crisper drawer, and 2) so darn good, easy and it serves a crowd (or you've got yummy leftovers).
Enjoy!
This is vaguely based on the Baja Fish Taco recipe from Cook's Illustrated. —em-i-lis

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Ingredients
  • For the grilled fish and the dressing
  • 2 pounds Red Snapper or another similar white fish (preferably one that's not endangered or caught using environmentally harmful methods)
  • salt and ground cumin for sprinkling
  • 1 Alder plank to grill on, if available (soak in water for 1-2 hours before using)
  • 1/4 cup
    2 tablespoons mayonnaise


  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • For the salad
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
  • 1 pound shredded cabbage (I used mostly Savoy but also some purple for color)
  • 1/4 + 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced into rings (about 2/3 c)
  • 1 ear corn, kernels cut off, cob discarded
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
Directions
  1. For the grilled fish and the dressing
  2. Set your grill to high. Wash and pat dry the snapper filets (about 1 pound each), place them on your pre-soaked Alder wood plank and sprinkle generously with salt and ground cumin. Place on the grill and cook until fish flakes and is just opaque. When cool enough to handle, remove all skin and any bones and pull apart into nice-sized chunks.
  3. While the fish is cooking, make the dressing by whisking together the mayo, yogurt, salt, 1/4 t ground cumin and fresh lime juice. Set aside.
  1. For the salad
  2. In a small bowl, put the chopped cucumber and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 5-10 minutes and then strain using a fine mesh sieve.
  3. In the meantime, in a large mixing bowl, toss together the cabbage, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, chives, mint, scallions, corn, cider vinegar and canola oil. When the cucumbers are well-drained, toss them in too. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Add the flaked fish and toss gently until evenly distributed throughout the salad.
  4. Serve with extra lime slices and enjoy!

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8 Reviews

aimeebama September 27, 2012
Fixed this for supper tonight (although instead of grilling the fish we baked at 350F, and we skipped salting the cucumber) and the meal was really outstanding. We eat A LOT of cabbage salad when the weather gets cooler and this is a real shining star. Thank you!
em-i-lis September 27, 2012
Wow, aimeebama! Thank you so much for this kind note! I'm so glad yall enjoyed the salad- it's a favorite here! Also glad the oven-baked fish worked so well! Thanks again!
Tgdc July 19, 2012
Looks incredible!
em-i-lis September 27, 2012
Thank you!!
fiveandspice July 19, 2012
This sounds like such a perfect summer meal! Love it!
em-i-lis July 19, 2012
Thanks fiveandspice!!!
aargersi July 13, 2012
What a great idea! i LOVE planked fish ...
em-i-lis July 13, 2012
Thanks, aagersi!! It was super yum. Aren't you in TX? this would be awesome down there! :)