This blackened tilapia recipe is ideal for busy weeknights once you want a fast, wholesome meal the entire household will love. It’s full of taste and prepared in below quarter-hour!
Whereas many of the fish recipes on EBF are salmon-based, excluding my pan-seared mahi mahi, I believed it was time to shine a highlight on a fish that usually will get ignored—tilapia.
This gentle, white fish is ideal for a fast, flavorful meal, particularly when coated with a daring seasoning like on this blackened tilapia recipe. Plus, it’s a beginner-friendly possibility for these new to cooking fish, making it a really perfect selection in case you’re seeking to attempt one thing new with out feeling overwhelmed.
Why You Gotta Attempt This One
I used to assume tilapia was form of boring, however this recipe utterly modified that. The blackened seasoning takes what may very well be a bland piece of fish and turns it right into a taste explosion in each chunk (and in case you love this, you’ve bought to attempt my blackened salmon recipe as properly!).
The most effective half? It’s full of taste with out piling on additional fats or energy. A easy mix of spices that elevates the dish by 20+ notches. Plus, it’s low-carb and high-protein, making it the proper selection for these days once you’re specializing in retaining issues gentle and fueling your physique with lean protein.
And right here’s the actual win: no want for marinating upfront! Truthfully, extra instances than I’d prefer to admit, I’ve discovered myself able to prepare dinner dinner solely to understand the recipe requires hours of marinating. As a busy working mother, I don’t all the time have that form of time, so this blackened seasoning is a lifesaver once you need one thing tasty on the desk quick! I normally pair it with air fryer broccoli for a fast and wholesome facet.
Elements You’ll Want
- tilapia – the star of the present! Tilapia is a light, white fish that’s fast to prepare dinner and has a impartial taste, making it an important base for daring seasonings like blackened seasoning. You need to use both recent or frozen tilapia fillets. If utilizing frozen, make sure that to thaw them utterly and pat them dry to make sure the seasoning sticks.
- olive oil – helps the spices follow the tilapia and provides the fish a lovely sear. Use no matter oil you may have readily available.
- seasonings – we’re making our personal blackened seasoning combine with smoked paprika, dried thyme, brown sugar (or coconut sugar), onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
- lemon or lime wedges – for a recent squeeze of citrus proper earlier than serving. It provides a burst of brightness and acidity that helps improve the spices.
The right way to Make Blackened Tilapia in Below 15 Minutes
All you want is tilapia, a handful of spices and one pan to whip up this recipe. Right here’s the best way to make it:
Step 1: Combine the seasonings in a small bowl.
Step 2: Pat the tilapia fillets dry. Brush either side with olive oil.
Step 3: Coat the tilapia fillets with the seasoning combine, urgent flippantly to stick.
Step 4: Warmth oil in a skillet over medium-high warmth. Prepare dinner the fillets for 3–4 minutes per facet till opaque and flaky, with a pleasant char on the skin. Serve heat garnished with recent parsley and with lemon or lime wedges.
Brittany’s Recipe Suggestions for Success
- Don’t overcook: Tilapia cooks rapidly, so be sure you take away it from the warmth as soon as it’s opaque and flakes simply with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry.
- Don’t burn spices: Monitor the warmth carefully, as blackened seasoning can burn rapidly. Cut back the warmth barely if wanted for a good sear.
- Pat fish dry: Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels earlier than seasoning to make sure the spices stick and the fish develops a crispy crust.
- Use a forged iron skillet: When you’ve got one, a forged iron skillet offers one of the best outcomes by making a crispy blackened crust and guaranteeing even cooking.
- Keep away from Overcrowding the Pan: Give every fillet sufficient area to sear correctly. Prepare dinner in batches if wanted to keep away from steaming the fish.
- Be mild when flipping: Tilapia is delicate, so use a skinny spatula and flip solely as soon as to maintain the fillets intact.
- Alter spice ranges for youths: If you happen to’re serving this to little ones, skip or cut back the cayenne pepper to make it gentle and family-friendly.
- Use store-bought seasoning: Save time by utilizing a store-bought seasoning combine, however be sure you examine for an excessive amount of added salt or sugar.
The right way to Retailer Leftovers
When you’ve got any leftover blackened tilapia, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days. Be sure the fish has cooled to room temperature earlier than sealing it to keep away from condensation, which may make it soggy.
To reheat your leftover tilapia whereas retaining it crispy, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. You may as well reheat it in a skillet over medium warmth for 3–4 minutes per facet. If you happen to’re utilizing a microwave, bear in mind that the fish could lose its crispy exterior.
Serving Options
I like serving blackened tilapia with one thing cooling or citrusy to stability out the warmth like my pineapple salsa. Once I’m not consuming it on low-carb days, I pair it with my cilantro rice. You could possibly additionally flip this into blackened tilapia tacos, topped with pineapple salsa and an avocado crema—use my wholesome fish tacos recipe as a information! Listed here are a couple of of my go-to veggie sides which can be all the time a success in my home:
Often Requested Questions
Sure, you’ll be able to undoubtedly use frozen tilapia. Simply make sure that it’s totally thawed earlier than cooking. After thawing, pat the fillets dry with paper towels to take away any extra moisture—this may assist the seasoning stick and guarantee a crispy blackened crust when cooking.
Sure! Whereas tilapia is a good selection, you should utilize different gentle white fish like cod, mahi mahi, haddock, and even catfish. Every of those fish works properly with blackened seasoning and can prepare dinner equally to tilapia.
Sure, you’ll be able to freeze leftover blackened tilapia. Enable the fish to chill utterly, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil earlier than inserting it in an hermetic container or freezer bag to forestall freezer burn. When saved correctly, blackened tilapia could be frozen for as much as 3 months. Be aware: Keep away from re-freezing thawed tilapia, as it could actually have an effect on the feel and style of the fish. All the time thaw within the fridge and reheat promptly after thawing.
