Fish tacos look cheap. Seafood is not.
Your margin depends on cooked yield, batter absorption, and tortilla count. If you cost by raw weight or ignore sauces, your taco special turns into a weekly loss.
Quick Summary
- Cost by cooked yield, not raw weight
- Lock a single fish portion (oz) for every taco
- Price tortillas, slaw, and sauces as line items
- Plates protect margin better than single tacos
- Review prices quarterly as seafood costs move
Why Fish Taco Costing Is Tricky
- Fish loses weight during cook
- Batter absorbs oil you never count
- Tortillas are small but add up fast
- Slaw and crema portion sizes drift
- Fish prices swing more than poultry
The Core Fish Yield Formula
Cooked yield % = Cooked weight ÷ Raw weight
Cooked cost per lb = Raw cost per lb ÷ Cooked yield %
Taco cost = Cooked fish portion + Tortillas + Slaw + Sauce + Garnish + Packaging
Target price = Taco cost ÷ Target food cost %Quick test cook example:
- Raw fish: 10 lb
- Cooked fish: 7.2 lb
- Yield: 72%
If raw fish is $5.50/lb:
$5.50 ÷ 0.72 = $7.64 cooked cost per lbUse the cooked cost for every taco.
Portion Standards to Lock In
- Fish portion per taco (oz cooked)
- Batter weight or coating method
- Tortillas per taco (1 vs 2)
- Slaw scoop size (oz)
- Sauce cup size (oz)
Example: Two-Taco Plate
Assumptions (example):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fish (4 oz cooked total) | $1.90 |
| Tortillas (4 small) | $0.40 |
| Slaw | $0.25 |
| Crema + salsa | $0.30 |
| Lime + garnish | $0.10 |
| Packaging | $0.15 |
| Total | $3.10 |
Target food cost 30%:
$3.10 ÷ 0.30 = $10.33Menu price: $9.99-$10.99
Smart Add-Ons
- Extra taco at a margin-protected add-on price
- Chips + salsa (low cost, high attachment)
- Fish upgrade (mahi vs. cod) with a clear upcharge
Price Review Cadence (US)
Seafood costs move fast. Use CPI and the USDA Food Price Outlook to schedule quarterly check-ins.
Related Guides
- US Taco Truck Cost Guide
- US Restaurant Portion Control Guide
- US Prep Yield Calculator
- US Menu Pricing Calculator
- US Delivery App Pricing Guide
Want This Done Automatically?
KitchenCost recalculates recipe costs, food cost %, and price targets as ingredient prices change.
If you want a faster way to protect margin, try KitchenCost.