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Spicy Fish Taco Bowls

34 reviews / 4.9 average
fish taco bowls on a table


Bob Harper wants me to eat more fish.

But Bob has not been to the fish market on my street, and something tells me that eating fish from the market would do something scary to my weakling Western digestive system.

I want to be a really savvy person who lives in the Philippines and shops for fish at her local market, but you guys. I am Type A and I have an irrational fear of the fish eyeballs staring at me and the big knives covered with fish scales. I think I’ll hold off on the fish market just yet.

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls

So I bought familiar-looking fish filets from the grocery store. No eyes or anything. Then I cooked them, put them a bowl with all my favorite things and devoured it in .4 seconds.

Bob is on to something here.

This is like a Chipotle burrito bol, but it’s made with spicy fish and you can put as many pieces of avocado on as you want without paying two dollars extra. It’s what my Mexican food dreams are made of: avocado, brown rice, garlic, roasted corn and peppers, black beans, avocado, cilantro, cheese, avocado, and spicy fish. And avocado. With a little avocado on top.

Besides eating 100 of these bowls, the only thing that would be a better use of my time is melting in the arms of a four year old girl.

Is this real life?

Spicy Fish Taco bowl
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A picture of Spicy Fish Taco Bowls

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 34 reviews

Description

These spicy fish taco bowls are my favorite way to eat fish! Spicy sauteed tilapia in a bowl with avocados, black beans, and roasted corn? Yes, please.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 34 tilapia filets (or other fish filet of your choice)
  • 12 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 cup fresh sweet corn kernels (sliced off the cob is the best)
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 can black beans
  • cooked brown rice (I used about 2 cups)
  • fresh cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, or pico de gallo for topping

Instructions

  1. Mix the spices together in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over both sides of the fish filets. (I like to season my fish a LOT, but just sprinkle on however much looks good to you.) Add salt and pepper to taste.
  2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add the fish filets to the pan. Grill the fish on each side for several minutes, checking the middle for doneness (fish should be completely white and flake apart easily). Remove fish filets and set aside.
  3. Add corn, red peppers, and onions to the pan with no additional oil. Heat over high heat for several minutes WITHOUT stirring to get a brown/black roasted look on the outside. Repeat for several minutes (stir, wait, stir, wait) until the peppers and onions are tender-crisp. Add the black beans and heat through.
  4. Layer rice, corn/pepper mixture, and fish in a bowl – or mix everything together in the skillet. Top with any of the toppings listed above!

Notes

My favorite toppings were the cilantro, avocado, and pico de gallo (or just salsa).

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Keywords: fish taco bowl, spicy fish taco bowl, spicy fish taco

One thing: How did it become AUGUST? Sheesh.

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120 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    When I was in the Maldives, we went on a tour of the fish market and it was probably the most vomit-inducing experience of my life so I don’t blame you for buying your fish from the grocery store. You’re braver than I am to even write about it! Enough about dead fish…look at all those pretty colours and delicious flavours!

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Yum! My husband is obsessed with fish tacos lately. How easy just to throw it all in a bowl….and gluten-free!
    Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to hear about your experiences!

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Oh this is one of my favs you’ve ever done, had to pin stat! Ive been reading you for awhile but just noticed that you are living in the Phillipines working at an orphanage. How cool is that?! I just returned from spending a few weeks in the Congo working at an orphanage myself. Not the same thing as a year but I can feel where your heart is at. Knowing this about you makes all these recipes that much more special. Thanks for all the great idea and for being an inspiration and leader for these little children.

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      That is awesome! What were you doing there? Just working at the orphanage? teaching? I would love to read more about your time there – I’m hoping you have some posts about it on your blog?!

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m sort of scared of fish in general. I have a new project to train myself to enjoy fish, and honestly? This recipe will help. Because I love Mexican food, I love roasted corn and garlic, and I love love LOVE avocado!! I think I might not even notice the fish, with enough avocado! Gorgeous!

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Don’t be scared. You can do it! Get it all mixed together and you will barely notice it. This is a perfect starter fish recipe. 🙂

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks so yummy! It definitely reminds me of a Chipotle burrito bowl. Minus their delicious salty and lime-y chips. I’m a bit TOO obsessed with those.

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    suddenly, i had a hard craving for some chipotle. this kind of makes the bad-ness of those bols a bit better with it being homemade and w/fish and all..love the colors, gorgeous as always!

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so grateful that you posted this today! This evening, I am making my own little concoction which vaguely resembles the Chipotle Burrito Bowl which we love so much. I’m out of avacado, but I have corn, tomatoes, black beans, bown rice, cilantro, lime and chicken. I saute the chicken in a little low sodium soy sauce and then chop it to go in with all the other ingredients. We’re short on the cheese and sour cream, but it tastes pretty darn good! I can’t wait to try with the spicy fish, maybe tomorrow. Thanks again!

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks amazing! My husband is obsessed with Chipotle bols and I LOVE fish tacos – this is a perfect combination to make us both happy! Thanks for a great recipe!

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I went to a fish market in Korean when I was a bit younger and I think back then, you have no fear and no gagging reflexes so I’m used to it now. Although had I not been there when I was kid, I’d be in the same boat as you.

    As for this bowl, love it! You just saved me lots of trips to Chipotle! Actually, you should sell this recipe to Chipotle and make millions 🙂

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Fish tacos are one of my favorites and these bowls look incredible. I can follow Bob’s rule to eat more fish, but is he also going to want me to eat less chocolate : )

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks delicious!
    You and Bjork are truly blessed, it looks like youre enjoying your life thoroughly!
    p.s. this recipe made me think of you.
    Mango Lassi Popsicles!!!! OMG!

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love following your story, your honesty and sense of humor. Made the fish taco bowls and for once in my life followed the recipe exactly. We LOVED it, even my 13 year old fish hating son had seconds. My husband commented that this is definitely
    a repeat. Thanks for the inspiration.