Fish tacos are a really under rated dish here in the UK, if you've never had them what the hell have you been doing?! These fish tacos however are like nothing else, the 7up batter is a work of genius (if I do say so myself!)
I stumbled across this tasty batter quite by accident! I was making some beer battered fish but in typical style totally forgot to buy the beer. There was some 7up in the fridge so I used that as a substitute, 7up batter was born and it worked wonderfully! The 7up batter was crispy and light with a sweetness and hint of lemon and lime. It didn't work too well accompanied with mushy peas and chunky chips but i knew the flavours would be perfect in some Mexican fish tacos.
In this recipe I used Basa fillets, a fish from Asia but farmed here in the UK so it makes a great sustainable alternative to Cod. You of course can use Cod in this recipe, or any other white fleshed fish, but if you haven't tried Basa before then do give it a go.
There are a really good balance of flavours in these fish tacos. A creamy avocado base, a sweet and spicy 7up batter topped with an acidic red cabbage dressing and the freshness of cucumber and coriander.
If you like these tacos, be sure to check out my Chilli Beef Nachos and Fried Shrimp Tacos. And if fish isn't your thing, be sure to try my Marinated Steak Tacos!
Fish Tacos in a 7up Batter
Ingredients
For the fried fish
- 4 basa fillets or other white fish
- vegetable oil
- 7 ounces self raising flour (200g)
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- 12.6 ounces 7up (375ml)
For the red cabbage
- 1 small red cabbage finely sliced
- 1 green chilli finely sliced
- 1.7 ounces white wine vinegar (50ml)
- 1 tbsp salt
- zest of 1 lime
- 5 tbsp mayonaise
- 5 tbsp sour cream
For the cucumber salsa
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 red onion diced
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
For the creamed avocado
- 2 ripe avocados
- juice ½ lemon
- salt and pepper
To serve
- 8 soft corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Whisk in the beaten egg and then bit by bit whisk in the 7up until you have a nice smooth batter. Pop in the fridge until ready to use.
- For the red cabbage, mix all the ingredients together well and pop in the fridge. Same for the cucumber salsa. Really nothing tricky about knocking these up!
- Peel the avocados into a bowl and add the lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mash together. Add the mayo and sour cream and mix well. Put in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Put a large saucepan on a high heat on the hob and pour in about 1cm of vegetable oil. You need to get the oil really hot, so could take 5-10 mins.
- Take the batter out of the fridge and cut each Basa fillet in half length ways.
- Once the oil is really hot, dip a fillet in to the batter to coat it and carefully lay into the frying pan. They only take about 3 minutes on each side to cook through and get a crispy batter. Be careful when turning the fish and only do two in the pan at a time. Put the fish on some kitchen towel to soak up any excess oil.
- Warm the tacos through according to packet instructions (I was going to make my own, but sometimes life is too short!).
- Put a spoonful of the avocado mix on to each taco, top with a piece of fish and the cabbage and cucumber mixes.
Notes
Nutrition
Marlee says
7-Up is perfect for making the perfect fried fish taco!!!
cakespy says
Wow, these look incredible. Fish tacos are often underwhelming to me (living outside of the "Fish taco belt" good ones are harder to come by) but I know that when homemade or purchased from a great place they are a thing of beauty. THESE are a thing of beauty!
Slow The Cook Down says
Ah thank you!! It's all about that crispy batter, I hate getting them when they aren't nice and crispy!
ijustmakesandwiches says
I love this idea! Fish tacos are my favorite by far. I tried a Coke batter once and it was fantastic but 7-Up would be equally delicious I think!
Slow The Cook Down says
Coke?! That is interesting...I may give it a go! 7up gives it a nice freshness that works really well with the fish
pinchmeimeating says
I never had fish tacos until a few years ago! My friends in Tucson thought I was nuts. Now I love them, especially with nice crunchy slaw like these!
Slow The Cook Down says
They are THE BEST! You don't get them much in the UK, we are really missing out!
patrick @alldayieat.com says
great pics. have never seen a sweet soda for batter before!!
[email protected] says
Thanks Patrick! The sweetness really works withe fish, it's pretty subtle but gives it that extra something!
Karly says
Love me some fish tacos- so glad you're embracing them across the pond! 🙂 These look perfectly crispy and so tasty!
[email protected] says
Thanks Karly! They are starting to become more popular over here, but slowly! I have no idea why they've taken so long to catch on!
All Thyme Favourites says
These look absolutely wonderful!
[email protected] says
Thank you! It's one of those recipes I've been thinking about for ages! Super tasty!