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A plate of fresh salmon tacos garnished with lime and cilantro.

Pan-Seared Salmon Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw and Creamy Chipotle Sauce

These Pan-Seared Salmon Tacos feature flaky salmon, a refreshing cilantro-lime slaw, and a zesty creamy chipotle sauce, all nestled in warm tortillas for a quick and flavorful meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 tacos
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Small bowl
  • Medium bowl
  • Large non-stick skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon

  • 1 lb salmon fillet skin on or off, cut into 1-inch wide strips or bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Cilantro Lime Slaw

  • 3 cups pre-shredded coleslaw mix green cabbage and carrots
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp lime juice about 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for slaw
  • 1/2 tsp sugar optional, for balance
  • Salt and pepper to taste (for slaw)

For the Creamy Chipotle Sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1-2 tsp chipotle in adobo sauce minced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice for sauce
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder for sauce
  • Pinch of salt for sauce

For Serving

  • 8-12 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Optional toppings: diced avocado, pickled red onions, crumbled cojita cheese, extra cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions
 

Prepare the Salmon

  • Pat the salmon strips dry. Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the salmon.

Make the Slaw

  • Combine coleslaw mix, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and sugar in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then toss well and set aside.

Whip up the Chipotle Sauce

  • Whisk together Greek yogurt, minced chipotle in adobo, lime juice, and garlic powder in another small bowl. Season with salt and adjust chipotle or lime to taste.

Cook the Salmon

  • Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon strips and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and flaky.

Warm the Tortillas

  • While salmon cooks, warm tortillas using a microwave, gas flame, or dry skillet.

Assemble the Tacos

  • Lay out warm tortillas, place a generous portion of salmon on each, and top with slaw and chipotle sauce.

Serve & Garnish

  • Offer additional toppings like avocado, pickled red onions, cojita cheese, cilantro, or lime wedges. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the salmon for 15-30 minutes before cooking. You can also char the tortillas directly over a gas flame for a smoky flavor. Adjust the chipotle in adobo to your preferred spice level. If you don't have fresh limes, bottled lime juice can be used, though fresh is always best!