This blackened tilapia recipe is ideal for busy weeknights while you want a fast, wholesome meal the entire household will love. It’s filled with taste and prepared in underneath quarter-hour!
Whereas many of the fish recipes on EBF are salmon-based, aside from my pan-seared mahi mahi, I believed it was time to shine a highlight on a fish that usually will get neglected—tilapia.
This delicate, 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 trying to strive 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 chew (and in case you love this, you’ve obtained to strive my blackened salmon recipe as effectively!).
One of the best half? It’s filled with 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 while 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! Truthfully, extra occasions than I’d prefer to admit, I’ve discovered myself able to prepare dinner dinner solely to comprehend the recipe requires hours of marinating. As a busy working mother, I don’t at all times have that form of time, so this blackened seasoning is a lifesaver while 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 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 should use both recent or frozen tilapia fillets. If utilizing frozen, ensure 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’ve gotten 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.
Tips on how to Make Blackened Tilapia in Underneath 15 Minutes
All you want is tilapia, a handful of spices and one pan to whip up this recipe. Right here’s make it:
Step 1: Combine the seasonings in a small bowl.
Step 2: Pat the tilapia fillets dry. Brush each side with olive oil.
Step 3: Coat the tilapia fillets with the seasoning combine, urgent evenly to stick.
Step 4: Warmth oil in a skillet over medium-high warmth. Cook dinner the fillets for 3–4 minutes per aspect 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 Ideas for Success
- Don’t overcook: Tilapia cooks shortly, so you should definitely 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. Scale 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: If in case you have one, a forged iron skillet offers the very best outcomes by making a crispy blackened crust and making certain even cooking.
- Keep away from Overcrowding the Pan: Give every fillet sufficient area to sear correctly. Cook 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.
- Regulate spice ranges for youths: When you’re serving this to little ones, skip or scale back the cayenne pepper to make it delicate and family-friendly.
- Use store-bought seasoning: Save time through the use of a store-bought seasoning combine, however you should definitely test for an excessive amount of added salt or sugar.
Tips on how to Retailer Leftovers
If in case you have any leftover blackened tilapia, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days. Be certain 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 can even reheat it in a skillet over medium warmth for 3–4 minutes per aspect. When you’re utilizing a microwave, remember that the fish might lose its crispy exterior.
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Serving Solutions
I really 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 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 can be at all times a success in my home:
Continuously Requested Questions
Sure, you may positively use frozen tilapia. Simply ensure 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 delicate white fish like cod, mahi mahi, haddock, and even catfish. Every of those fish works effectively with blackened seasoning and can prepare dinner equally to tilapia.
Sure, you may freeze leftover blackened tilapia. Permit 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. Notice: Keep away from re-freezing thawed tilapia, as it might have an effect on the feel and style of the fish. All the time thaw within the fridge and reheat promptly after thawing.
