Careme

Location: Quality Food Center - Bellevue East (1510 145th Pl SE)

Stovetop Smoky Rockfish Tacos with Winter Cabbage–Cucumber Crema Slaw

A fast, high-flavor taco night that leans into what’s great in Washington right now: wild Pacific rockfish (on a great sale), plus crunchy winter cabbage and creamy avocado. It’s bright, smoky, and weeknight-easy—no deep frying, no heavy sauces.

Back to full list

Ingredients

  • Fresh Rockfish Fillet Pacific Caught (sustainably sourced) 12 oz, cut into 1-inch chunks $6.99 sale (1 lb)
  • Organic Green Cabbage 8 oz, thinly sliced (about 3 cups) $2.49/lb
  • Organic Long English Cucumber 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1 cup) $3.99 each
  • Fresh Organic Large Ripe Avocado 1, sliced $3.50 each
  • Organic Jumbo Yellow Onions 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced $2.19/lb
  • Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs 1 clove, finely grated/minced $2.79 (3 ct)
  • Oil (olive or neutral) 1 1/2 Tbsp, divided
  • Smoked paprika 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin 1 tsp
  • Chili powder or chipotle powder 1/2 tsp
  • Kosher salt 3/4 tsp, divided (plus more to taste)
  • Black pepper 1/4 tsp
  • Lime 1 (zest + 2 Tbsp juice)
  • Plain yogurt or sour cream 1/3 cup
  • Honey or sugar 1 tsp
  • Corn or flour tortillas 6 small
  • Optional: hot sauce + cilantro to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the slaw: thinly slice 8 oz green cabbage, slice 1 cup cucumber, and thinly slice 1/2 small onion. Put in a bowl.
  2. Make the dressing: in a small bowl whisk 1/3 cup yogurt (or sour cream), 1 clove grated garlic, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss with the cabbage/cucumber/onion. Refrigerate while you cook the fish.
  3. Season the fish: pat dry 12 oz rockfish chunks. Toss with 1 Tbsp oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
  4. Stovetop sear: heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil. When shimmering, add the seasoned rockfish in a single layer. Cook 2–3 minutes undisturbed until browned, then gently turn and cook 1–2 minutes more until just opaque and flaky.
  5. Warm tortillas: warm 6 tortillas in a dry pan, directly over a gas flame, or wrapped in a damp towel in the microwave for 30–45 seconds.
  6. Build tacos: add slaw, rockfish, and sliced avocado to each tortilla. Finish with a little lime zest over the top and optional hot sauce/cilantro.

Health notes: ~650–750 calories per serving (depends on tortillas + avocado). Healthiness: High—lean protein, lots of veg, good fats; moderate sodium if you use store spice blends.

Drink pairing: Why it works: Rockfish is delicate and lightly sweet; you want bright acid and modest oak (or none). The lime, cabbage, and smoked chile love citrus-driven whites. Local(ish) picks: Chateau Ste. Michelle (Columbia Valley) Riesling or Dry Riesling; or a Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Also great: a crisp Mexican lager with a lime wedge.

Chef Feedback

Ask about the recipe and share how it turned out.

Sign in to ask follow-up questions.

Sign in to save cooked feedback and ratings.

Planned by Careme.