Grilled Rockfish Tacos with Garlic Lime Sauce combine the fresh, flaky texture of rockfish with a zesty homemade sauce, creating a meal that is both simple and satisfying. This recipe focuses on a straightforward approach to grilling rockfish, paired with a flavorful garlic lime sauce that enhances the natural taste of the fish. Perfect for a casual dinner or a get-together, these tacos promise a burst of flavor in every bite.
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Living on the West Coast and being a fishing family, catching rockfish is one of the most fun fish to go out and get. They are abundant, taste great, and can be made into so many different things.
Known for its mild, sweet flavor, rockfish makes an ideal base for the robust notes of garlic and lime in the sauce. The prep for this dish is hassle-free, involving just a few steps to bring out the best flavors in the fish.
If you don’t have rockfish hanging around, any mild whitefish will work for this recipe. Halibut, Lingcod, Cod, Mahi-Mahi, Snapper, Haddock, Pollock, all of these are great options.
If you fish the freshwater, crappie, walleye, catfish, bass, or perch would be great options. You’ll need to catch a lot more of them to feed a crowd.
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Easy Preparation: The recipe requires minimal preparation time, making it perfect for quick, nutritious meals.
- Customizable: With a variety of optional condiments, everyone can tailor their taco to their taste preferences.
- Flavorful Sauce: The garlic lime sauce is rich and tangy, providing a delicious complement to the mild rockfish.
- Healthy Option: Rockfish is a great source of protein and pairs well with fresh, healthy toppings like cabbage, avocado, and tomato.
Get 75+ of my favorite Traeger Recipes here!
Grilled Rockfish Tacos with Garlic Lime Sauce shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Flour Tortillas
- Rockfish Filets
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Granulated Garlic
- Butter
- Garlic
- Lime Juice
- Sugar
- Chopped Cilantro
- Optional Condiments: Fresh Onion, Cilantro, Diced Tomatoes, Diced Avocado, Sour Cream, Salsa, Shredded Cabbage
Eat more TACOS!
How to make Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Wondering what you’re getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here’s a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you’re cooking.
- Preheat & Prepare: Heat your grill to 400°F. Pat the rockfish filets dry and coat them with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and granulated garlic.
- Grill the Fish: Place the seasoned fish on a sheet pan and grill for 10-12 minutes or until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Make the Garlic Lime Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add salt, sugar, and lime juice, and bring to a simmer before adding cilantro.
- Warm the Tortillas: Steam tortillas in the microwave or toast them on the grill for a minute per side.
- Assemble the Tacos: Fill tortillas with grilled fish, drizzle with garlic lime sauce, and top with your choice of condiments.
Try this Rockfish and Spot Prawn Ceviche!
Grilled Rockfish Tacos FAQ
How do I store leftover rockfish tacos?
Store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the fish gently to maintain its texture.
Can I prepare the rockfish or sauce in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the rockfish seasoning and garlic lime sauce a day ahead. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to grill.
Are there any substitutions for rockfish?
Flounder or tilapia make excellent substitutes, offering a similar texture and flavor profile. You can also sub in halibut, cod, lingcod, walleye, or whatever mild whitefish you can access.
Blackstone Blackened Fish Tacos
Serve this with…
More great recipes featuring fish to love!
More Great Tacos To Try…
Grilled Rockfish Tacos with Garlic Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- 10 flour tortillas
- 2 pounds rockfish filets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
Garlic lime sauce
- 2 sticks butter
- 5 cloves garlic
- 3 limes juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Optional Condiments
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced avocado
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 400°F.
- Pat your fish filets dry with paper towels.
- Evenly coat the bottom of a sheet pan with olive oil to prevent the fish from sticking.
- Mix the salt, pepper, paprika, onion and granulated garlic together.
- Sprinkle the mixed dry ingredients over both sides of the filets.
- Place the filets onto the sheet pan uniformly with a little space between each piece.
- Place the sheet pan onto your preheated grill.
- Let cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Check for doneness by sticking a fork through the center of the thickest filet. If the fork slides through easily it should be done, but probe the center for temperature. Safe temperature for eating fish is 145°F.
- While the fish is cooking, you can start your lime sauce.
- In a small saucepan on medium-low heat, add the two sticks of butter and let them start to melt.
- Mince or crush your garlic and add to the pan and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the salt and sugar and let cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the lime juice, turn the stove up to medium-high heat, and bring the sauce to a quick simmer.
- Turn the heat off and then add in the chopped cilantro.
- Warm your tortillas by either steaming in the microwave for 1 minute, wrapped in a damp paper towel, or toasting them on the grill for 1 minute per side.
- Start making your tacos when the fish, sauce, and tortillas are all done. Fish first, then a little sauce on top.
- Then add the condiments of your choice on top of the fish and sauce and you are ready to eat!