14 Best Tilapia Recipes (How to Cook Tilapia)
on Oct 02, 2022, Updated Nov 01, 2023
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Looking for the best tilapia recipes? This fish has a flakey flesh and mild flavor that pairs well with many sides and sauces, making it a popular seafood choice. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to cook tilapia properly, keep reading for some inspiration!
Is Tilapia Fish Healthy?
Tilapia is a lean protein and contains some beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, albeit less than some other species like salmon. It also contains a variety of nutrients including vitamin B12, vitamin D, phosphorus, selenium and niacin. Tilapia is the world’s most farmed fish, so there are concerns about contamination and farming practices. Always buy from reputable sources.
When is Tilapia Done Cooking?
Insert the tines of a fork into the thickest part of the tilapia and twist slightly. The inner flesh should appear translucent and flake slightly when it’s done. If you have an instant-read thermometer handy, it should measure an internal temp of about 140°F.
Best Tilapia Recipes
Cajun Air Fryer Tilapia
If you feel like a healthier option for fried tilapia, why not use the air fryer? This recipe features garlic butter and cajun seasoning for an irresistible main dish that’ll become your new favorite!
Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia
When cooler weather arrives, there’s nothing like oven-baked fish and this recipe is no exception. It’s a one-pan dish with delicious lemon butter flavors. Plus, you can make it in 20 minutes flat!
Baked Stuffed Fish
Along with the previous baked tilapia recipe, try making delicious stuffed fish. With its delicious garlic and bacon filling, this is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that will melt in your mouth.
Easy Grilled Tilapia
When grilling season arrives, this grilled tilapia with basil aioli really hits the spot. It’s quick-cooking for an easy dinner that’s healthy and flavorful! Follow the tips to nail the perfect doneness and get flakey and moist tilapia on the grill.
Blackened Tilapia with Cilantro Lime Sauce
If you love cajun flavors, then you have to try this blackened tilapia with cilantro lime sauce. You can make it easily on the stovetop and serve as-is, or combine with tortillas and toppings to make blackened fish tacos. Yum!
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
This 5-ingredient recipe couldn’t be simpler. Fresh tilapia fillets are coated in a parmesan breadcrumb mixture and pan-seared to perfection. It looks and tastes fabulous!
Panko-Crusted Tilapia
This crusted tilapia uses panko breadcrumbs with lemon, garlic, ginger and fragrant seasonings. The combination of flakey fish with a crispy exterior is hard to beat!
Thai Tilapia with Coconut Curry
If you love Thai cuisine, then you have to try this broiled tilapia with coconut curry flavors. It’s perfect as an Asian-inspired main served with jasmine rice to soak up the curry! Plus, you can customize it to make it as spicy as you like.
Spicy Fish Taco Bowls
Continuing with the fish tacos theme, let’s try these taco bowls made with tilapia, cilantro and other fresh ingredients. It’s a perfectly healthy lunch idea with no compromise on flavor!
Brazilian Fish Stew
Enjoy South American flavors with this homemade fish stew. It features tilapia, bell pepper, onions and tomatoes cooked in a rich coconut milk broth. This hearty dinner is ready in just 30 minutes!
Mediterranean Sheet Pan Tilapia
Who doesn’t love a one-pan meal with no next-to-no cleanup? Enter this Mediterranean tilapia cooked with vegetables on a sheet pan in the oven. It’s delicious, healthy and easy!
Fish Tacos with Tilapia
Nothing says summer like fish tacos, but you can make these all year long at home! They’re pan-seared and feature a chipotle-lime sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Blackened Tilapia With Avocado Salsa
Here is another recipe for spicy blackened tilapia, this time with an avocado-cucumber salsa. You can make them in as little as 10 minutes for a quick and healthy meal on the go!
Skillet Tilapia with Shrimp (Olive Garden Copycat)
Skip the restaurant takeout and make this skillet tilapia in the comfort of your own home! It tastes just like Olive Garden combining two favorites in one!
Easy Fried Tilapia Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Old bay seasoning, to taste
- 1 pound tilapia filets
- salt and pepper, to taste
- vegetable oil, for frying
- lemon wedges, optional
- tartar sauce, optional
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Place the flour, garlic, lemon zest, and Old bay seasoning in a shallow bowl and stir together to combine.
- Generously season both sides of the tilapia filets with salt and pepper.
- Dip the tilapia in the eggs and then coat well with the seasoned flour on both sides, turning the filets 2-3 times until covered.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet until hot. Add the fish and fry for about 2-3 minutes on both sides until golden.
- Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
