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Fish Stick Tacos are a surefire way to get the kids eating seafood. It’s the easy way to make fish tacos with fish sticks that are jazzed up with zippy chili lime flavor. This fast dinner recipe is a kid-friendly hit for Taco Tuesday or any busy weeknight!
Disclaimer: This recipe was previously developed through a sponsored partnership with Gorton’s. As always, all opinions are my own.
Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos
Admittedly, I didn’t grow up eating a lot of seafood. My mom was not a fan of fish, so she rarely cooked it. I was more familiar with the commercials for fish sticks than with the fish sticks themselves.
Hoping to avoid the same fate for my kids, I’ve tried to introduce fish to them early on. Luckily they love everything from barbecue shrimp to maple glazed salmon.
But trust me, as a reformed picky eater, I know that sometimes the obnly way to get a kiddo to eat seafood is in the form of a fish stick. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Because let’s be real, even my little seafood fans love a good fish stick as much as the next kid. And Taco Tuesday might be their favorite night of the week. Second only to when we have seafood dinners.
So it’s a mom win when I combine the two!
How to Make Fish Tacos with Fish Sticks
Sure, you could have easy fish stick tacos by just popping them in a taco shell and adding your favorite toppings. But a quick trick gives those fish sticks just a hint of spice and a little zing. This recipe is a fun and totally kid-approved way to change up your usual taco night.
Ingredients
- Lime juice, chili powder, and cumin: This simple mixture will add a little spice and a lot of zesty flavor to jazz up those fish sticks.
- Frozen fish sticks: This makes it easy, but you can also use homemade fish sticks. Just be sure to brush them with that flavorful mixture.
- Hard taco shells: If you prefer, you can also use soft tortillas. Either one you choose, just warm them according to the package directions.
- Fish taco toppings: Lettuce, salsa, guacamole, cheese, etc. Keep reading for more ideas.
Directions
- Bake the fish sticks: Prepare the fish sticks as per the package instructions for cooking in the oven. About halfway through the cooking time, brush each side of the fish sticks with a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin, and finish baking.
- Make the tacos: Place lettuce in the bottom of each taco shell or tortilla. Top with three fish sticks and your favorite toppings.
- Enjoy: Dig in right away!
Make it a Meal
A taco dinner naturally needs the tacos. But to make it a meal you need fixin’s and side dishes for those tacos
Toppings for fish tacos
- Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds that bit of crips
- Salsa: Mango Avocado Salsa adds just the right amount of fresh flavor to brighten it up and bring it all together. But you can use your favorite homemade or store-bought salsa. I do think the pairing of a fruit salsa with fish is especially delicious.
- Guacamole: Another case where you can make your own or buy it. If your kids don’t like chunks of raw onions or jalapenos, try Kid-Friendly Guacamole.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of queso fresco adds a little salty bite, but if you can’t fund it, crumbled feta cheese is a perfect substitute.
- Sour Cream: A little dollop is a great way to finish off these tacos, but Greek yogurt is a lower calorie and higher protein substitute (and what I usually have in my fridge even when I don’t have sour cream). For some extra zip, try Fish Taco Sauce.
- Extras: If your tastebuds love an extra burst of flavor, you can always add a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of cilantro.
Side dishes for fish stick tacos
- Chili Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Basic Roasted Cauliflower
- Chili Lime Corn
- Mexican Pepper Jack Cauli-Tots
What are the best fish sticks to use?
This recipe was originally developed in partnership with Gorton’s, and I used their fish sticks from the Delicious Classics Line, which are 100% real fish with no fillers, and made with simple ingredients you’d find in your own pantry.
However, their fish sticks are not gluten free, though they have a Gluten Free Fish Sticks recipe on their website using their grilled fish fillets.
If you are looking to make gluten free fish tacos with fish sticks, there are options.
Gluten Free Fish Sticks
- You can make your own gluten free fish sticks. You can even skip the frying and make baked fish sticks.
- Now there are even frozen ones you can buy, like Ian’s Gluten Free Fish Sticks, or from brands like Starfish and Dr. Praeger’s.
Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos
Ingredients
For the Mango Avocado Salsa:
- 1 avocado chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 mango chopped (about 1½ cups)
- ¾ cup chopped tomatoes grape tomatoes or regular tomatoes with seeds and excess moisture removed
- 1-2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- A few grinds of black pepper
For the Tacos:
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 24 Fish Sticks (30 pack Gorton’s Fish Sticks)
- 8 hard taco shells or soft corn tortillas, warmed according to package instructions
- shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
- crumbled queso fresco, feta cheese, or cotija cheese (about a cup)
- sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
For the Mango Avocado Salsa:
- Add the avocado to a bowl and top with the lime juice. Toss to prevent the avocado from browning.
- Add the remaining ingredients, season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside or store in the refrigerator to use later.
For the Tacos:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Stir together the lime juice, chili powder, and cumin.
- Prepare the fish sticks as per the package instructions for cooking in the oven. When instructed to flip the fish sticks after 8 minutes, brush each side of the fish sticks with the lime juice mixture and finish baking.
- Place lettuce in the bottom of each taco shell or tortilla. Top with three fish sticks, the Mango Avocado Salsa, about a tablespoon of cheese, and sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired.
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
These look so good Brianne! I love their fishsticks! Soooo crunchy 🙂 Mango salsa is on point 🙂
Thank you so much, Karen!