Tacos de Pescado Ahumado (Smoked Mackerel Tacos)
Flaked smoked mackerel stands in for Baja smoked marlin, with fresh cucumber, pickled onions and a zingy jalapeno sauce.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Creamy jalapeno cilantro sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.76 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Flake the smoked mackerel into bite sized pieces in a bowl, checking carefully for any small bones. It is already cooked, so there is no need to heat it.
- 2
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 to 30 seconds a side and wrap them in a clean tea towel.
- 3
Spread a spoonful of jalapeno cilantro sauce (see the base recipe) over each tortilla.
- 4
Pile on the mackerel, cucumber, avocado and pickled red onions.
- 5
Scatter over the coriander, squeeze over lime and serve straight away.
Tips
- Smoked mackerel is oily and rich, so the acidic pickled onions and lime are important.
- Use plain smoked fillets, not peppered ones, which become overpowering in tacos.
- Check carefully for pin bones, even in boneless fillets.
- Add a little salsa taquera at the table for those who like heat.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 day. Eat within the use by date of the fish and keep it chilled until serving.
Questions
Is this a traditional recipe?
Smoked marlin tacos are a Baja and Sinaloa speciality. Smoked mackerel is an easy UK swap with a similar smoky richness.
Can I use smoked salmon or trout?
Yes. Smoked trout fillets are a good alternative, and hot smoked salmon flakes beautifully. Avoid cold smoked salmon slices.
Are these tacos gluten free?
Yes, with plain smoked mackerel and masa harina tortillas, which contain no gluten, egg or nuts. The jalapeno cilantro sauce contains dairy, so they are not dairy free.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Ensalada de Frijol Negro y Elote con Lima (Black Bean and Sweetcorn Salad)
GFDFEFTacos de Pollo Asado con Guacamole (Grilled Chicken Tacos)
DFEFNFTamales de Barbacoa de Res (Beef Barbacoa Tamales)
DFEFNFSalmón al Adobo de Guajillo con Aguacate (Guajillo Salmon with Avocado Salsa)
EFNFLCSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.