Soft Shell Salmon Tacos with Tropical Mango Salsa

Soft Shell Salmon Tacos redefine the classic fish taco experience, transforming it into an exquisite culinary journey. Featuring succulent, perfectly roasted salmon as the star, this recipe promises to be the Best Fish Tacos Recipe you’ve ever encountered! Each soft shell tortilla is generously loaded with a symphony of vibrant flavors: a refreshing, homemade mango salsa, a crisp and tangy cabbage slaw, and a zesty, spicy lime sriracha sauce that ties every element together.

Beyond their incredible taste, these Seafood Tacos offer a significantly healthier alternative to traditionally fried or battered fish options like tilapia. By opting for nutrient-rich, roasted salmon, you’re choosing a dinner that is not only extraordinarily delicious but also packed with beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, making it a smart and satisfying choice for any night of the week.

Why You Need to Make These Gourmet Salmon Tacos Today

Prepare to elevate your dinner routine with these exceptional salmon tacos. Here’s why this recipe deserves a prime spot in your culinary repertoire:

• An Explosion of Flavor: These tacos are a masterpiece of taste, harmoniously blending the rich, flaky roasted salmon with the sweet and spicy kick of mango salsa, the refreshing crunch of cabbage slaw, and the creamy, piquant sriracha lime sauce. Every bite is an adventure for your palate.
• A Refreshing Twist on Taco Night: Tired of the usual beef or chicken tacos? These salmon tacos offer a sophisticated and delightful departure from the ordinary. They bring a fresh, light, and exciting option to your table, perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re observing Lent, seeking a healthy weeknight meal, or planning a festive gathering, these seafood tacos are incredibly versatile. They’re hearty enough for dinner yet light enough to feel indulgent without being heavy.
• Healthy and Wholesome: Made with roasted salmon, a powerhouse of Omega-3 fatty acids, along with fresh vegetables in the slaw and salsa, these tacos are a meal you can feel good about. They offer a delicious way to incorporate more healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins into your diet.
• Easy to Prepare: Despite their gourmet appeal, these salmon tacos are surprisingly straightforward to make. With clear instructions and readily available ingredients, you can whip up this impressive dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

My husband, a true skeptic when it came to fish tacos, always managed to find an excuse to pass on them. So, when I casually mentioned “fish tacos for dinner” last week during his call on the way home, a moment of profound silence filled the phone line. Crickets, you might say. I decided to let the suspense build, knowing his apprehension stemmed from a childhood filled with less-than-appetizing seafood experiences, like dried-out Salmon Loaf and the infamous Tuna Fish Casserole, often made with canned soup. Growing up in the landlocked Midwest, right on the Mississippi, his perception of “fresh fish” was largely limited to catfish. Over the years, however, I’ve slowly introduced him to the joys of succulent shrimp, vibrant fresh salmon, and even decadent crab cakes, steadily expanding his seafood horizons.

This time, I kept the crucial detail about these being *salmon* tacos a secret. A little giggle escaped me internally, as I had a strong hunch that these soft-shell salmon tacos, bursting with fresh flavors, would be a complete game-changer for him. And oh, was I right! Watching him dive into his taco, adorned with the crisp slaw and lively salsa, with uncharacteristic gusto and an eventual two-thumbs-up endorsement, confirmed my suspicion. It was another culinary victory, proving once again that sometimes, mama truly does know best!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Salmon Tacos

Crafting the perfect salmon taco requires a thoughtful selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layered flavors and textures that make this dish so irresistible.

• Kitchen Staples: Ensure you have on hand essential pantry items like high-quality olive oil, flaky sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, pungent garlic powder, creamy mayonnaise, and a touch of brown sugar to balance flavors.
• Green Cabbage: Shredded thinly, green cabbage forms the crunchy, vibrant base for our tangy slaw, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the salmon.
• Red Bell Pepper: This versatile vegetable is used in two ways: thinly sliced for the slaw, adding a sweet crunch, and finely diced for the mango salsa, contributing color and a subtle sweetness.
• Red Onion: Like the bell pepper, red onion serves a dual purpose: thinly sliced for the slaw to impart a sharp, zesty kick, and finely minced for the salsa, offering a delicate oniony bite.
• Champagne Vinegar: This light and slightly sweet vinegar is the secret to a perfectly balanced and tangy cabbage slaw, elevating its freshness.
• Mangoes: Choose ripe mangoes, peeled and diced, for the salsa. Their tropical sweetness is crucial, providing a juicy, exotic counterpoint to the savory salmon and spicy sauce.
• Cilantro: Freshly minced cilantro brings a burst of herbaceous brightness to the mango salsa, enhancing its overall aromatic profile.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Absolutely essential for both the salsa and the sriracha sauce. Freshly squeezed lime juice provides a vibrant acidity that bottled juice simply cannot replicate, brightening all the flavors.
• Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream forms the creamy base of our luscious lime sriracha sauce, adding a rich tanginess.
• Mayonnaise: A good quality mayonnaise (Hellmann’s or Dukes are preferred) contributes to the silky texture and savory depth of the sriracha sauce.
• Sriracha: Or your favorite hot sauce, to taste. Sriracha introduces a delightful heat and a hint of garlic to the creamy sauce, allowing you to customize the spice level.
• Salmon Fillets: Opt for skin-on salmon fillets for roasting. The skin helps protect the delicate flesh, keeping it moist and flavorful during cooking. Look for vibrant, firm fillets.
• Cumin: This warm, earthy spice is a cornerstone of Tex-Mex cuisine and imparts a deep, aromatic flavor to the salmon rub, perfectly complementing the other taco elements.
• Ancho Chili Powder: Adds a delicious smoky heat and a rich, subtle complexity to the salmon rub, creating a truly authentic taco seasoning.

Expert Tips for Crafting the Ultimate Salmon Tacos

To ensure your salmon tacos are nothing short of spectacular, follow these invaluable tips for preparation and assembly:

• Perfectly Cooked Salmon is Key: While I often enjoy salmon medium-rare when dining out, for these tacos, a slightly more well-done approach works best. Aim for an internal temperature of about 140°F (60°C). This ensures the salmon is cooked through and flaky, but still incredibly moist and tender, rather than dry. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
• Don’t Skip the Accompaniments: The magic of these tacos lies in the harmonious interplay of the three distinct components: the refreshing cabbage slaw, the vibrant mango salsa, and the creamy sriracha lime sauce. While you can opt to make any or all of them, I highly recommend preparing all three. They each contribute a unique texture and flavor profile that truly elevates the dish.
• The Essential Cabbage Slaw: A crisp cabbage slaw, lightly tossed in a simple vinaigrette, is a classic and indispensable pairing with fish tacos. Its cool, tangy crunch provides a wonderful contrast to the warm, flaky salmon. Feel free to add a touch of finely shredded carrot or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flair.
• Embrace the Mango Salsa: If ripe mangoes are calling your name at the market, answer the call! This vibrant mango salsa, with its sweet tropical notes and a subtle kick from a finely diced jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat, or left in for more), brings an unparalleled freshness and exotic zest to the tacos. It’s a flavor bomb you won’t want to miss.
• The Unifying Fish Taco Sauce: A flavorful fish tacos sauce is the secret ingredient that pulls the entire dish together, unifying all the components into a cohesive, delicious experience. Whisk up an easy lime, sriracha, and sour cream sauce, which can be drizzled generously over the assembled tacos just before that first mouthwatering bite. This creamy, spicy, and tangy sauce provides the perfect finishing touch. How will you customize yours? Perhaps a dash more lime, or a hint of smoked paprika?
• Choose Your Tortilla Wisely: While corn tortillas are often considered the most classic choice for fish tacos, their distinct flavor and texture might not be for everyone. I opted for soft flour tortillas, which provide a neutral canvas for the bold flavors of the salmon and toppings. Experiment with your favorite type, whether it’s corn, flour, or even a whole wheat option.
• Warm Your Tortillas to Perfection: Never serve cold tortillas! To freshen them up and make them more pliable and flavorful, quickly toast your tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 15-30 seconds per side, until they are warm and slightly browned, with a few puffed spots. This simple step makes a world of difference in texture and aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salmon Tacos

Explore More Delicious Recipes

If you loved these salmon tacos, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic seafood and main course recipes:

• Rainbow Salmon Skewers from The View from Great Island
• Open Faced Salmon Sandwiches
• Smoked Salmon Reuben
• Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
• Grilled Fish Tacos
• Soft Shell Beef Tacos
• Smoked Salmon Dip 
• Steak Fajita Recipe
• More Delicious Seafood Recipes
• More Main Course Recipes

The Recipe:

Soft Shell Salmon Tacos Recipe with Mango Salsa

Prep Time
45 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
1 hour

Yield
4 servings

Roasted salmon with all the fixings for a sophisticated seafood taco – fresh mango salsa, tangy slaw, and zesty sriracha lime sauce make this a healthy and irresistible meal!

Ingredients

For the Cabbage Slaw:

• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• ½ cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Mango Salsa:

• 1-2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced red onion
• 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Lime Sriracha Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (Hellmann’s organic preferred)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon sriracha
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

For the Roasted Salmon:

• 4 4-ounce salmon fillets, skin on
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Olive oil

To Assemble:

• 4-8 flour tortillas

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage Slaw: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, thinly sliced red bell pepper, and thinly sliced red onion. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the champagne vinegar, olive oil, and salt to create the dressing. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Make the Mango Salsa: In a separate bowl, gently combine the diced mangoes, diced red bell pepper, minced red onion, and minced cilantro. In another small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pour this dressing over the mango mixture and toss lightly to combine. Set aside.
3. Whip Up the Lime Sriracha Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, sriracha, and salt until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sriracha to your preferred level of spice. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Season the Salmon: In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, ancho chili powder, brown sugar, and kosher salt to create the spice rub. Generously rub this mixture all over the top and sides of the salmon fillets. Drizzle a little olive oil over each fillet.
5. Roast the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin side down, on an oiled grill pan or baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast the salmon for 10-15 minutes, or until it is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets; aim for an internal temperature of around 140°F (60°C). Once cooked, remove from the oven and set aside.
6. Assemble the Tacos: To assemble each taco, take one warm tortilla and flake about half or a full salmon fillet onto it, discarding the skin. (I personally love a generous amount of slaw, so I often use half a fillet to make room!) Top the salmon with a spoonful of the crisp cabbage slaw, followed by a dollop of the vibrant mango salsa. Finish with a drizzle of the creamy lime sriracha sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy your gourmet salmon tacos!

Notes

This recipe is highly versatile! Feel free to substitute salmon with other types of seafood like succulent shrimp, flaky cod, or tender sea bass for a delicious variation.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1-2 tacos

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 917Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1166mgCarbohydrates: 91gFiber: 8gSugar: 29gProtein: 37g

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