Name: Fish Taco Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: About ¾ cup sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lime; ⅓ cup sour cream; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 1 tablespoon half and half (or light cream); ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste

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Introduction

This flavorful Fish Taco Sauce brings a creamy, tangy twist to your favorite tacos. With fresh lime, cilantro, and a blend of spices, it’s the perfect companion to enhance any fish taco experience.

The image shows three soft tacos held upright in a metal taco holder on a white marbled surface. Each taco has a lightly charred, warm flour tortilla shell. Inside, the bottom layer is a bed of fresh green lettuce, topped with chunks of grilled chicken that have a golden-brown, slightly crispy texture. Small pieces of diced yellow pineapple and red tomato add bright color and freshness on top. In the foreground, there is a clear glass bowl filled with a creamy, pale peach-colored sauce speckled with green herbs. A slice of lime is visible next to the bowl on the marble surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice

⅓ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon half and half (or light cream)

½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Zest ½ teaspoon of lime and juice 1 tablespoon from the lime.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the lime zest and juice with sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, half and half, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Whisk everything together until smooth and well blended.
Step 4: Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 5: Drizzle over fish tacos or any tacos of your choice before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely chopped jalapeño to the sauce.
Swap half and half with Greek yogurt for a thicker consistency and extra protein.
Use freshly chopped parsley instead of cilantro if you prefer a milder herb flavor.

If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika or a small dash of chipotle powder works well.

Storage

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before using. It’s best served chilled but can be brought to room temperature if preferred. Avoid freezing, as the texture may become grainy.

How to Serve

A clear round bowl filled with a creamy, light orange sauce speckled with green herbs sits on a white marbled surface. Above the bowl, three soft tortillas rest upright in a metal taco holder. Each tortilla has a toasted, slightly charred edge and is layered with fresh green lettuce at the bottom, chunky white grilled fish pieces in the middle, and small yellow pineapple cubes and red diced tomatoes on top in one taco, while the other two tacos have fish resting atop lettuce. A lime wedge is partly visible to the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, preparing the sauce a few hours or even a day in advance allows the flavors to develop and blend beautifully.

Is this sauce suitable for other types of tacos?

Absolutely! This creamy, tangy sauce pairs well with chicken, shrimp, or vegetable tacos as well.