This blackened tilapia recipe is ideal for busy weeknights while 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 neglected—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 alternative should you’re trying to strive one thing new with out feeling overwhelmed.
Why You Gotta Attempt This One
I used to suppose tilapia was type 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 should you love this, you’ve obtained to strive 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 alternative for these days while you’re specializing in conserving issues gentle and fueling your physique with lean protein.
And right here’s the actual win: no want for marinating upfront! Actually, extra occasions than I’d prefer to admit, I’ve discovered myself able to cook dinner dinner solely to understand the recipe requires hours of marinating. As a busy working mother, I don’t at all times have that type of time, so this blackened seasoning is a lifesaver while you need one thing tasty on the desk quick! I normally pair it with air fryer broccoli for a fast and wholesome aspect.
Elements 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 a fantastic base for daring seasonings like blackened seasoning. You should 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 persist with the tilapia and provides the fish a ravishing 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 recent squeeze of citrus proper earlier than serving. It provides a burst of brightness and acidity that helps improve the spices.
How one can Make Blackened Tilapia in Beneath 15 Minutes
All you want is tilapia, a handful of spices and one pan to whip up this recipe. Right here’s learn how to 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 calmly 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 surface. Serve heat garnished with recent parsley and with lemon or lime wedges.
Brittany’s Recipe Suggestions for Success
- Don’t overcook: Tilapia cooks shortly, so make 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 shortly. Scale 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 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. 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.
- Alter spice ranges for youths: When you’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 through the use of a store-bought seasoning combine, however make sure you test for an excessive amount of added salt or sugar.
How one can Retailer Leftovers
When 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 may make it soggy.
To reheat your leftover tilapia whereas conserving 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, bear in mind that the fish could lose its crispy exterior.
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Serving Strategies
I really like serving blackened tilapia with one thing cooling or citrusy to steadiness out the warmth like my pineapple salsa. After 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 below are a number of of my go-to veggie sides which are at all times successful in my home:
Regularly Requested Questions
Sure, you possibly can 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 superb alternative, you need to use different gentle white fish like cod, mahi mahi, haddock, and even catfish. Every of those fish works properly with blackened seasoning and can cook dinner equally to tilapia.
Sure, you possibly can freeze leftover blackened tilapia. Enable the fish to chill utterly, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil earlier than putting it in an hermetic container or freezer bag to forestall freezer burn. When saved correctly, blackened tilapia may be frozen for as much as 3 months. Notice: Keep away from re-freezing thawed tilapia, as it could possibly have an effect on the feel and style of the fish. At all times thaw within the fridge and reheat promptly after thawing.
