Nothing says date night in like tacos! And these Blackened Fish Tacos made with perfectly seasoned tuna steaks that are blackened to perfection in a cast iron pan. Served along side a sweet mango salsa. Stuff the warm corn tortillas with the blackened tuna steaks, purple cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a scoop or two of that mango salsa. A tried and true recipe made by so many, these easy fish tacos are a great Valentine's Day dinner or Taco Tuesday option!
Meal prep friendly, dairy-free, & gluten-friendly.
Blackened Tuna Steak Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa
These blackened tuna steak tacos is a super easy recipe that is made with our blackened seasoning mix - a precise blend of spices we have been using for years! In fact, Jake made these blackened tuna steaks are on our first date! The seasoning has a light spiciness to it but not too spicy. Of course if you want to up it a notch then add some more SPICE 🔥. Then with the addition of some cooling components like mango, red cabbage, and even some avocado slices.
If you need other Taco Tuesday inspiration we also have these great options: Whole30 Instant Pot Spicy Buffalo White Chicken Chili, Fish Tacos Al Pastor, Slow Cooker Carnitas Burrito Bowls
What You Will Need
- blackened seasoning - a combination of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, cayenne pepper, chili powder
- grassfed butter or ghee - this is KEY to the perfect blackened tuna. Dredging this lean muscular fish in some melted butter gives it not only more flavor but a little fat to a pretty lean fish
- tuna steaks - the star of this dish!
- purple cabbage - you can buy pre-shredded or shred it yourself!
- mango salsa - a MUST for these tacos!
- corn tortillas - any tortillas will work here (but since we are primarily GF we stick with corn tortillas) but flour tortillas will work here!
BEST Way to Cook Blackened Tuna
Cast-iron skillet is the way to go when cooking any blackened protein. We inherited Jake's grandma's old skillet and it's honestly my favorite skillet we own.
Using the freshest steaks available is also crucial to making the best blackened tuna. They should be a vibrant pink and have no fishy smell at all.
How To Make Blackened Tuna Steak Tacos
Note: Full detailed recipe instructions and ingredient measurements are found in the recipe card below.
First step to making the best damn fish tacos of your life is to get the tuna steaks out, pat dry with paper towels, and dredge them in a small bowl of liquid gold (aka butter or ghee- again a HUGE fan of Fourth and Heart).
Next is to stir together that blackening seasoning mix. Coat the tuna steaks in the spice mixture evenly on all sides.
Get a cast iron skillet preheated on medium-high heat. Swirl around a little olive oil to coat the pan. Add the fish and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side on the hot pan.
PRO TIP- You want to keep a meat thermometer handy. To avoid a rubbery tuna steak that's WAY over cooked, you want to take it off the heat to at 140F. This will ensure a perfectly cooked tuna that the fish flakes with a touch of the fork.
Allow the tuna to rest for a few minutes (5-8 minutes). While the tuna rests whip up the fresh mango salsa and other of your favorite taco toppings.
Break the tuna into smaller pieces and serve in warm tortillas topped with crunchy cabbage, red onions, mango salsa, avocado chunks, green onions, and a squeeze of lime juice.
What To Serve With Blackened Tuna Tacos?
Jake and I LOVE Mexican food and can pretty much be game for tacos any day of the week. Which is why this awesome fish taco recipe is ALWAYS at the top of our list for Valentine's Day dinners, date nights, or any night of the week. We love to serve it with a side of pico de gallo, sour cream (if you are not too concerned with dairy), black beans, corn, and maybe a side of plantain chips.
Typical blackened seasoning consists of smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Nope! They do fall in a similar category though. Creole seasoning is a bit spicier than blackening seasoning.
No. Blackened proteins are simply coated in a layer of seasoning that turns a very dark color when cooked in a cast iron skillet, grill, or oven.
Valentine's Day Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 tacos 1x
Ingredients
Blackened Seasoning
- 1 tbs smoked paprika
- 1 tbs sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbs ground black pepper
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Blackened Tuna Tacos
- 2 4-6oz tuna steaks
- 1 tbs olive oil
- Blackened Seasoning
For the Tacos
- 4 corn tortillas
- 1 mango, peeled and cut into small pieces
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 2 tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbs lime juice
Topping Ideas
- Mango Salsa
- Red onion
- Extra cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Lime Juice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: fish tacos, mexican cuisine, taco tuesday, tuna steak recipe
Bill says
Tuna already in the fridge. Had the idea to make blackened tuna tacos for my wife for Valentines day. A flavor we had in PVR, and your recipe looks great. definitely doing this.
Christina Nifong says
I am a Mexican-any-day-of-the-week kind of girl, myself. Thanks for creating/sharing this yummy looking recipe! Happy Valentine's Day!
Amanda says
Yes girl! 🙌🏻 Hope you like it and Happy Valentine's Day to you! 💕
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Those sound terrific and such great flavors - my husband would especially love these!
Amanda says
Thanks Kimberly! I hope he likes it!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
YUMMATOLA. I love the story of how y'all met and his bragging about his blackened tuna. 🙂 Cuties!
Amanda says
Lol thank you! He acts like he doesn't like me telling it, but he secretly likes it 🙃
Alyssa | EverydayMaven says
These tacos sound incredible!
christine says
I'm not a huge lover of tuna BUT I'm always looking for just the recipe to get me more on board. This one could certainly tempt me!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I love mango salsa! It's so good and I haven't had it in forever! Looks like I need to make this soon!
Amanda says
Isn't it the best?! So fresh yet spicy! Thank you Angie!
LaurenKellyNutrition says
I should make these for my boys and hubby, they would love them!
Amanda says
I think so! Let me know what they think!!
The Food Hunter says
they sound wonderful I want to make them for V Day!
Amanda says
I think you should! And it falls on a Tuesday! It was meant to be!
Tiffany Layton says
What do you use for the wrap?
Amanda says
I used corn tortillas here but you can use whatever you like! Lettuce Wraps, thinly sliced jicama, or put it on a bed of greens!