Baked Blackened Tilapia – Slender Kitchen

This Baked Blackened Tilapia couldn’t be easier to make and makes the best quick weeknight meal. Serve it with rice, veggies, or fold in tortillas with some quick slaw for Blackened Fish Tacos. 

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with tilapia. I love that it is affordable, versatile, and can be found almost anywhere in the country. This makes it accessible for almost everyone. It also has a mild flavor making it an approachable fish for those who aren’t in love with fish and seafood. However, I don’t love the fact it can sometimes lack flavor, which is why I like to punch it up with lots of spice and flavor whenever I cook it. 

Adding blackening seasoning is the perfect solution to ensure that tilapia is packed with flavor. It’s easy to make, truly packs a punch, and you can control how strong it is by adjusting how much you put add to the fish. The butter adds richness to the fish and also cuts the spice slightly. Served with some fresh lemon and it is one delicious and healthy dish.

In order to make this a true quick weeknight meal, I usually pair it with some precooked brown rice (frozen or shelf-stable) and some quick-cooking veggies like these 10 Minute Garlic Green Beans or a quick Cabbage Stir Fry.

How to make homemade blackening seasoning?

The key to this recipe is the blackening spice blend. It’s easy to make and I always have a big container ready to go in my pantry. You can also buy a store-bought version to make things easier, but the homemade version is so much better. Not only can you control the level of spice, but you also can be sure there isn’t any added sugar or preservatives. If you make a large batch, it will keep for at least a year. 

• 2 tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

What sides to serve with Blackened Tilapia

Now that you are ready to prepare this delicious baked tilapia you are probably wondering what sides would go well with this dish. To keep this meal simple, I almost always pair it with something I can throw together while the fish is baking.

• An obvious side dish is a nice fresh green salad or you can mix it up and serve it with a fresh fruit salad on the time. This Watermelon and Avocado Salad is one of our favorites.
• For starches, consider using precooked rice or quinoa. I always have frozen brown rice and quinoa on hand for quick meals.
• Another heartier side dish is baked sweet potatoes. Make them in the microwave to speed up the cooking time. The sweetness of the potatoes is delicious with the spices on the fish. You could also try these Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes, but they take a bit longer.
• For a low carb option, make this Coconut Cauliflower Rice or some Stir Fried Zucchini Noodles.

Is Tilapia Good for You?

Tilapia sometimes gets overshadowed by other more well-known fish like salmon or tuna, but when it comes to health benefits this fish does not hold back! Tilapia is a fish that hides 23 grams of protein and only 112 calories in its lean white meat.  It also has a good amount of B vitamins and potassium.  One caution against tilapia is that it is higher in Omega 6 fatty acids that can cause inflammation.

With that said, there are some questions about certain types of farmed tilapia, which can contain pesticides, antibiotics, and more depending on how it was farmed. Whenever possible, it is best to choose wild caught tilapia, but that can be extremely hard to find. When you can’t find wild-caught, look for tilapia that has been farmed in the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Ecuador,  or Peru, where conditions are more closely monitored. Try to avoid tilapia coming from China, where farming practices tend to have lower standards. 

Recipe Ideas and Tips

This is a versatile dish that’s easy to make and easy to customize. Here are some ideas:

• Consider using this recipe for fish tacos! Blackened fish is delicious in a soft shell taco topped with fresh toppings like mango, cabbage, and tomatoes.
• Using this fish as a protein for a summertime salad is also a creative way to lighten up this meal.
• Play around with the spices in the seasoning mix to make it spicier, smokier, or more garlicky.
• This recipe works great on the grill. Just make sure to cook the fish on foil so it doesn’t stick to the grill grates.
• This will also work in a heavy skillet. Simply cook it in melted butter or olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side. This is a more traditional preparation, but I prefer cooking it in the oven since you don’t have to worry about the fish sticking to the pan.

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