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Keto Fish Tacos 🌮

Published: · Updated: by · 4 Comments

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Missing Taco Tuesdays since starting your keto diet? Don't worry! Our Keto Fish Tacos recipe brings all the fun back to your plate. Think about the flavor of fresh salmon, vibrant salsa, and a hint of spicy mayo, all tucked inside a crisp butter lettuce leaf instead of a carb-loaded tortilla. It's the traditional Mexican dish you adore, but with a healthy and tasty twist that aligns perfectly with your keto lifestyle!

Keto Fish Tacos on a black plate with a small bowl of salsa mixed together off to the side
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Preparation and cooking overview

Making these lettuce fish tacos is incredibly easy and requires only 20 minutes. First, you season the salmon fillets with spices, then cook them in a cast-iron skillet until they're perfect. After that, you chop them into small cubes. Next, you whip together a flavorful salsa and some spicy mayo. Finally, you assemble everything in lettuce leaves, and your scrumptious keto-friendly tacos are all set to savor!

Chef's note

Don't hesitate to make these crispy fish tacos your own! If you have some leftover grilled zucchini from dinner, chop it and add it to your salsa. Or use crunchy iceberg lettuce instead of butter lettuce. Making these simple changes can add a unique touch to your dish, so feel free to experiment and see what you like best!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 2 Servings

🌮 Ingredients for this keto fish tacos recipe

Here's what you'll need for the keto salmon tacos recipe:

  • 10 ounces salmon
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon blackening spices, sugar-free
  • 8 butter lettuce leaves

Salsa

  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, minced
  • ¼ cup red onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • Sea salt to taste

Spicy mayo

  • 2 tablespoons keto mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

Ingredient substitutions

Swapping ingredients? Here's a list of some tasty alternatives:

  • Avocado oil: If you don't like avocado oil, use an equal amount of coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. They're both keto-approved and suitable for this dish.
  • Butter lettuce: If you can't find fresh butter lettuce in your grocery store, swap it with romaine hearts or iceberg lettuce.
  • Blackening spices: If you don't have ready-made blackening spices on hand, create your own blend using common spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme.
  • Jalapeños: Substitute jalapenos with a few serrano peppers for a more spicy flavor.

Additional ingredients

Want to jazz up your fish tacos with butter lettuce even more? Check out these extra ingredients you can add to your keto-friendly dish:

  • Cheese: Toss some shredded cheddar or creamy Monterey Jack on your salmon for a cheesy delight.
  • Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a tangy creaminess that goes great with spicy mayo.
  • Cabbage slaw: Mix shredded cabbage, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper for a quick slaw to place under the salmon.
  • Chopped olives: For a salty twist, sprinkle some chopped olives over your salsa. It's a nice contrast to the salmon's richness.
  • Grilled bell peppers: Add smoky sweetness to your salsa with grilled peppers.
  • Fresh herbs: A sprinkle of finely chopped herbs like dill or parsley adds freshness to the top of the tacos.
These Keto Fish Tacos with blackened salmon and a quick cucumber avocado salsa.

Cooking tools required

To make this keto salmon tacos recipe, you'll need the following tools:

  • 10.5″ cast-iron skillet
  • Medium-sized mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Kitchen knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula

Tools substitute options

  • Cast-iron skillet: If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, use a non-stick pan or a stainless steel skillet instead.

How to make Keto Fish Tacos: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Pan-searing

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients and measure them.
  2. Dry the salmon filets with a paper towel.
  3. Rinse the avocado, cucumber, jalapeños, and lettuce leaves, and pat them dry.
  4. Dice the avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, and red onion for the salsa.

Cooking instructions

Sear the salmon fillets

  1. Coat both sides of the salmon filets with sugar-free blackening spices evenly.
  2. Heat avocado oil in a 10.5″ cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Once the skillet is hot, lay the spice-rubbed salmon, skin side down, in the pan.
  4. Sear for 5 minutes until the skin crisps and easily lifts from the skillet.
  5. Flip the salmon and cook for 4 more minutes for a medium finish.
  6. Remove the fillets from the skillet and dice them into 2" cubes.

Prepare the salsa

  1. In a bowl, mix the diced avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, red onion, and minced cilantro.
  2. Add lime juice and sea salt for flavor.

Prepare the spicy mayo

  1. Mix mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder in a small bowl.
  2. Set aside to allow the flavors to blend.

Assemble the tacos

  1. Place two butter lettuce leaves together to form taco shells.
  2. Fill each one with seared salmon cubes and a spoonful of homemade salsa.
  3. Drizzle your spicy mayo over the top of each taco and serve.

Chef's pro tip

Make sure to heat the skillet and oil properly before cooking your salmon. You'll know it's ready when the fillet sizzles as soon as it touches the pan. Sear the skin side for 5 minutes to get it crispy, then cook the other side for just 3-4 minutes. This timing helps keep the fish tender and juicy, even if it continues to cook a little after you take it off the heat.

What to serve with low carb fish tacos?

Looking for what to pair with your low-carb salmon tacos? They're already a hit on their own, but if you want to create a bigger meal, here are some tasty ideas:

  • Keto Mexican Rice: Pair the tacos with keto rice made from cauliflower to soak up the extra salsa or spicy mayo.
  • Creamy Jalapeño Salsa: Want to switch up the flavors? Try this creamy jalapeno mix instead of avocado salsa.
  • Keto Street-Style Cauliflower: Serve the tacos with a side of these flavorful roasted cauliflowers for a bit of crunch.

How to make it healthier

Here's how you can make this keto taco recipe even healthier: 

  • Choose organic produce: If possible, buy organic salmon and vegetables from your local store.
  • Reduce sodium: Some spices and seasonings hide extra sodium. Make your own blackening spices to control salt levels, and go easy on added salt in the salsa and spicy mayo.

Time-saving tips

  • Buy ready-made salsa: Short on time? Pick up a store-bought salsa. Just make sure it's sugar-free and fits with your keto plan.
  • Use frozen salmon: High-quality frozen salmon fillets can save you cleaning and filleting time – just defrost and cook!
  • Find pre-made spice mix: Don't want to mix the spices yourself? Buy a keto-friendly blackening spice mix.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Salsa: Chop and mix the salsa ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you're ready to make the tacos.
  • Spicy mayo: Make this sauce earlier and keep it in the fridge. This helps the flavors mix together well.
  • Salmon: If you rub the salmon with spices and keep it in the fridge, it'll be ready to cook when you are. Just make sure to let it warm up to room temperature before you put it in the pan.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage instructions

  • Refrigerator: Store the cooked salmon, prepared salsa, spicy mayo, and lettuce wraps in separate airtight containers. The salmon, salsa, and mayo can be kept for 3-4 days, while the lettuce should be used within 1-2 days.

Reheating instructions

Avoid reheating the salsa, mayo, and lettuce wraps, as these ingredients are best enjoyed fresh and crisp from the refrigerator. The cooked salmon cubes can be reheated and even used in fresh salads.

  • Oven: To reheat the salmon in the oven, set the temperature to 275°F (135°C) and warm the salmon just until heated through.
  • Stovetop: Gently warm the salmon cubes in a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

These Keto Fish Tacos are not just perfect for lunch and dinner, but they also make a charming addition to a bright brunch. They encapsulate the spirit of traditional Mexican tacos but with a refreshing twist that aligns with your keto lifestyle.

So, if you find yourself missing the taste of classic tacos, don't hesitate to try these low-carb options. We encourage you to whip them up and then share your cooking experience with us. Your culinary adventure is waiting, and we're excited to hear all about it!

Frequently asked questions

Traditional fish tacos are not keto-friendly due to the high-carb shells. However, our recipe uses lettuce wraps and low-carb ingredients, making these fish tacos without tortillas a suitable and delicious option for those following a keto diet.

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests salmon, you can experiment with other fish like cod and tilapia. Make sure to modify the cooking time as needed to ensure the fish is cooked thoroughly.

Of course! The spicy mayo adds a kick, but if you want to skip it altogether, omit it or substitute it with non-spicy mayo or a Greek yogurt dressing.

Absolutely! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the salmon for about 4-5 minutes per side. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the fish.

Add more jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the salsa if you prefer a spicier kick. You can drizzle some hot sauce on the tacos for an extra fiery flavor.

Avoid freezing the leftovers, as none of the ingredients of these tacos freeze well. They lose their texture when frozen and thawed.

📖 Recipe

Keto Fish Tacos on a black plate with a small bowl of salsa mixed together off to the side

Keto Fish Tacos

These Keto Fish Tacos with blackened salmon and a quick cucumber avocado salsa are healthy, satisfying, and packed with healthy fats.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30-minute, cajun, easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 550kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces salmon
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon blackening spices sugar free
  • 8 butter lettuce leaves

Salsa:

  • 1 avocado diced
  • ½ cup diced cucumber
  • 1 jalapeño minced
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice

Spicy Mayo:

  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Sear the salmon fillets

  • Coat both sides of the salmon filets with sugar-free blackening spices evenly.
  • Heat avocado oil in a 10.5″ cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Once the skillet is hot, lay the spice-rubbed salmon, skin side down, in the pan.
  • Sear for 5 minutes until the skin crisps and easily lifts from the skillet.
  • Flip the salmon and cook for 4 more minutes for a medium finish.
  • Remove the fillets from the skillet and dice them into 2" cubes.

Prepare the salsa

  • In a bowl, mix the diced avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, red onion, and minced cilantro.
  • Add lime juice and sea salt for flavor.

Prepare the spicy mayo

  • Mix mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder in a small bowl.
  • Set aside to allow the flavors to blend.

Assemble the tacos

  • Place two butter lettuce leaves together to form taco shells.
  • Fill each one with seared salmon cubes and a spoonful of homemade salsa.
  • Drizzle your spicy mayo over the top of each taco and serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Fish Tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 550 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 182mg8%
Potassium 1499mg43%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 4313IU86%
Vitamin C 30mg36%
Calcium 58mg6%
Iron 3mg17%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

# Hashtag with us!Don't forget to mention @castiron_keto or tag #castironketo on Instagram with your creations! We love seeing what you're making.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kerry says

    What are blackening spices?

    Reply

  2. Rhonda says

    I made this tonight and was absolutely delicious! Thanks so much!

    Reply

  3. Susie says

    5 stars
    You gotta try K-38 Taco stand in Baja California. It’s about 45 min south of the border (San Diego/Tijuana)

    The best! Say hi to Roberto and the familia if you get there

    Reply

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