This blackened tilapia recipe is ideal for busy weeknights whenever you want a fast, wholesome meal the entire household will love. It’s full of taste and prepared in beneath quarter-hour!
Whereas many of the fish recipes on EBF are salmon-based, except for 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 choice for these new to cooking fish, making it a perfect selection in the event you’re trying to attempt one thing new with out feeling overwhelmed.
Why You Gotta Attempt This One
I used to assume tilapia was sort of boring, however this recipe utterly modified that. The blackened seasoning takes what could possibly be a bland piece of fish and turns it right into a taste explosion in each chunk (and in the event you love this, you’ve received to attempt my blackened salmon recipe as nicely!).
One of the best half? It’s full of taste with out piling on further 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 right selection for these days whenever you’re specializing in preserving issues gentle and fueling your physique with lean protein.
And right here’s the actual win: no want for marinating upfront! Actually, extra instances than I’d wish to admit, I’ve discovered myself able to cook dinner dinner solely to appreciate the recipe requires hours of marinating. As a busy working mother, I don’t all the time have that sort of time, so this blackened seasoning is a lifesaver whenever you need one thing tasty on the desk quick! I often pair it with air fryer broccoli for a fast and wholesome aspect.
Components You’ll Want
- tilapia – the star of the present! Tilapia is a gentle, white fish that’s fast to cook dinner and has a impartial taste, making it an excellent base for daring seasonings like blackened seasoning. You should utilize both contemporary or frozen tilapia fillets. If utilizing frozen, make certain to thaw them utterly and pat them dry to make sure the seasoning sticks.
- olive oil – helps the spices stick with the tilapia and offers the fish a phenomenal sear. Use no matter oil you will have 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 contemporary squeeze of citrus proper earlier than serving. It provides a burst of brightness and acidity that helps improve the spices.
The best 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 easy methods 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 frivolously to stick.
Step 4: Warmth oil in a skillet over medium-high warmth. Prepare dinner the fillets for 3–4 minutes per aspect till opaque and flaky, with a pleasant char on the surface. Serve heat garnished with contemporary parsley and with lemon or lime wedges.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas for Success
- Don’t overcook: Tilapia cooks shortly, so make sure to 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 intently, as blackened seasoning can burn shortly. Cut back the warmth barely if wanted for a fair 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 have one, a forged iron skillet offers the most effective outcomes by making a crispy blackened crust and making certain even cooking.
- Keep away from Overcrowding the Pan: Give every fillet sufficient house 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.
- Modify spice ranges for teenagers: 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 make sure to verify for an excessive amount of added salt or sugar.
The best way to Retailer Leftovers
When you have any leftover blackened tilapia, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days. Be sure that the fish has cooled to room temperature earlier than sealing it to keep away from condensation, which might make it soggy.
To reheat your leftover tilapia whereas preserving it crispy, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. You too can reheat it in a skillet over medium warmth for 3–4 minutes per aspect. If you happen to’re utilizing a microwave, remember that the fish could lose its crispy exterior.
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Serving Ideas
I like serving blackened tilapia with one thing cooling or citrusy to steadiness 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 may 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 below are a number of of my go-to veggie sides which are all the time a success in my home:
Steadily Requested Questions
Sure, you’ll be able to undoubtedly use frozen tilapia. Simply make certain it’s totally thawed earlier than cooking. After thawing, pat the fillets dry with paper towels to take away any extra moisture—it will assist the seasoning stick and guarantee a crispy blackened crust when cooking.
Sure! Whereas tilapia is a superb selection, you should use different gentle white fish like cod, mahi mahi, haddock, and even catfish. Every of those fish works nicely with blackened seasoning and can cook 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 stop freezer burn. When saved correctly, blackened tilapia could be frozen for as much as 3 months. Word: Keep away from re-freezing thawed tilapia, as it may well have an effect on the feel and style of the fish. All the time thaw within the fridge and reheat promptly after thawing.
