Salmon tacos are an easy taco recipe topped with homemade avocado ranch. The simple ingredients pair so well together!
These soft tacos have blackened flaky salmon, fresh tomatoes, red onions, creamy avocado ranch, and soft tortillas. This meal was giving me ALL the warm weather feels.
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What to watch while eating tacos?
Season 3 of Claws just started! If you aren’t watching this show, you are missing out. This staff is stellar and works so well together. While it is funny in parts, the drama can get deep as well. This show reminds me a lot of Dexter.
What beer pairs well with salmon tacos?
The beer: Local’s Light from Short’s Brewing.
For this taco and craft beer pairing ‘light’ meets ‘light’. A subtle beer that’s perfect for a summer afternoon then transitions perfectly to enjoy with this seafood taco recipe.
Ingredients
These salmon fish tacos have-
- Salmon rubbed with garlic and onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and chili powder then drizzled with olive oil and cooked until crispy and flaky
- Soft flour tortillas
- Creamy homemade avocado ranch dressing for topping the tacos
- Diced tomatoes and onions for extra flavor
I like to use frozen, vacuum-sealed salmon fillets. I add the frozen fillets to warm water to defrost before using them. Use scissors to cut open the packs, drain the liquid, then add pieces to a paper towel and dry off.
How to make salmon tacos step-by-step
Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Sprinkle on the chili powder, then drizzle with olive oil.
Rub the seasonings into the salmon on both sides.
Next, cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, then flip. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the pan and flake the salmon using two forks.
How to make avocado ranch dressing
In a food processor add the skinned and pitted
Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like. I used about 2 tsp of olive oil as I like it to thicken.
Tips & Variations
- I like to use frozen salmon fillets but you can use fresh salmon as well I just recommend removing the skin before cooking.
- The avocado ranch dressing keeps well in a tightly covered container so it’s great to use on salads too!
- Make your own homemade flour tortilla recipe with this recipe from I Heart Naptime.
We love tacos! How about you? Check out these other taco recipes!
Serve with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a side of
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Salmon Tacos {with Avocado Ranch}
Equipment
- large sautee pan
- tongs
- food processor
Ingredients
Salmon Tacos
- 1 pound salmon
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 6-8 flour tortillas
Avocado Ranch Dressing
- 1 large ripe avocado skinned and pitted
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 bunch fresh parsley cleaned of the stems (can sub for 1 Tbs dried parsely)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil to thin out as needed
Instructions
Salmon Tacos
- Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cumin.1 pound salmon, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, then flip. Cook an addition for 2-3 minutes.2 teaspoons olive oil
- Remove from the pan and flake the salmon using two forks.
Avocado Ranch Dressing
- In a food processor add the skinned and pitted avocado, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, onion powder, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.1 large ripe avocado, 1/4 cup sour cream, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 bunch fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, salt and pepper to taste
- Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like.olive oil to thin out as needed
- Serve with the ranch, chopped tomatoes, and red onions on flour tortillas. Enjoy!6-8 flour tortillas
Notes
Tips for making this recipe:
- I use frozen pre-portioned and vacuum sealed salmon fillets that I thaw in warm water. Make sure to drain the liquid and pat dry before adding seasoning.
- The avocado ranch stays well for up to 3 days in a tightly covered container.
- To store: Separate the ingredients into covered bowls. Reheat the salmon in the microwave for 2 minutes. Eat within 3 days.
Originally published in June of 2019. Updated photos in August of 2022, same great recipe.
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Last Updated on August 18, 2022 by Erin@BottomLeftoftheMitten
SO amazing! This really takes fish tacos to another level. Avocado ranch dressing is such a great compliment.
Thank you Carissa, yes the Avocado Ranch is a great addition.
Erin, i made these tacos and LOVED them! On whim, my husband brought home some salmon and we had most of the taco ingredients. First time doing fish tacos. Will def make again!
Wonderful, Jen! I’m so glad you liked them and will be making them again.
Your taco shells look so thin and perfect to pair with the salmon.
Thank you, Andrea! Flour tortillas are the perfect vehicle for the salmon.
Loving the sound of this avocado ranch and salmon tacos! This is def perfect for a taco Tuesday!
Yes to all the tacos on Taco Tuesday! Thank you, Caitlyn.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE tacos. Fish tacos are the BEST. Such a fun meal for the weekend. Perfect for entertaining.
I agree, Gloria! Perfect to whip up when guests visit.