Easy Tilapia Recipes

Tilapia is an inexpensive and versatile fish, making it a great choice when you're looking for a simple (yet filling) meal. These simple recipes are sure to please, whether it's crispy fried fillets or spicy fish tacos.

Grilled tilapia with butter, capers, and orzo pasta

When it comes to grilling fish, tilapia is a perfect choice. Because the white fish has a subtle flavor, it makes a great base for bold sauces, like this rich butter sauce.

Recipe: Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers, and Orzo Pasta

Fried fish sandwich

Corn-breaded tilapia fillet makes a great sandwich filling on a soft potato bun. Top each sandwich with crisp lettuce and Jeff's homemade tartar sauce.

Recipe: Fried fish sandwich with tartar sauce

Tilapia in a spicy honey glaze

Here, tilapia is marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce: you get the best of both worlds!

Recipe: Grilled Tilapia Glazed with Smoked Hot Pepper and Honey

Spicy spaghetti with fish and olives

This easy weeknight dinner is rich in protein and fiber; just 230 grams of fish feeds a family of four. Thanks to the whole-grain spaghetti, this dish (420 calories per serving) is both filling and budget-friendly.

Recipe: Spaghetti in spicy sauce with fish and olives

Homemade fish sticks

With whole-grain breadcrumbs and a yogurt-based dipping sauce, these homemade tilapia fish sticks are a healthier version of store-bought options.

Recipe: Homemade fish sticks

Salpicon with tilapia

What do you get when you pan-fry tilapia and infuse it with vibrant flavors? The perfect taco filling!

Recipe: Salpicon with tilapia

Tilapia with green beans

Coat tilapia fillets with a flour-herb mixture and fry in butter until crispy. Serve with green beans and grape tomatoes—dinner is ready in 30 minutes.

Recipe: Fried tilapia with green beans

Tilapia baked with grated potatoes

Store-bought frozen shredded potatoes are the secret to this simple weeknight dish. The fish is baked on crispy fried potatoes.

Recipe: Hashbrowns with tilapia

Baked Tilapia with Coconut and Cilantro Sauce

Dress tilapia with a creamy sauce made with coconut milk, ginger, and cilantro. It's a delicious, quick, and low-calorie dish.

Recipe: Tilapia with coconut sauce and herbs in the oven

Tilapia cutlets with tartar sauce

What's the secret to these amazing fish cakes? It's the sauce—every bite is delicious!

Recipe: Tilapia tartare cutlets

Fried tilapia with bean salad

Cook the tilapia in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until lightly charred. Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.

Recipe: Fried Tilapia with Black-Eyed Bean Salad

Fish sandwich with jalapeño popper salad

Fried tilapia fillets are the perfect size for these sandwiches. Create a fun dinner for the whole family, letting everyone add their own toppings.

Recipe: Fried fish sandwiches with coleslaw and pickles

Tilapia, Shrimp, and Coleslaw Tacos

A marinade of lime juice and fresh herbs adds a vibrant flavor to the shrimp and tilapia. The filling pairs perfectly with a crisp, spicy coleslaw. Because tilapia fillets are thicker on one side, they are difficult to cook evenly. Cut them along the center seam so the two pieces can be grilled separately.

Recipe: Tilapia, Shrimp, and Coleslaw Tacos

Tilapia with asparagus and mint gremolata

Gremolata, a blend of mint, lemon zest and garlic, adds a fresh flavor to fried fish.

Recipe: Tilapia with steamed asparagus and mint

Tilapia Milanese

Breaded tilapia, fried in olive oil, and then baked, has a very vibrant flavor. A fresh arugula salad with a light citrus dressing is the perfect side dish for the fish.

Recipe: Milanese fried fish

Moroccan Tilapia with Eggplant

Serve the cooked tilapia with baked eggplant for a flavorful Moroccan-inspired dish. Add pesto sauce for a beautiful presentation (and extra flavor).

Recipe: Moroccan Grilled Tilapia with Eggplant

Tilapia Ceviche

Ceviche is one of our favorite warm-weather dishes. It's filling and nutritious, yet light and refreshing.

Recipe: Tilapia Ceviche

Tilapia with rice and masala sauce

This dinner is inspired by the flavorful elements of Indian cuisine. Baked tilapia is paired with basmati rice, peas, and a light yogurt sauce flavored with garlic, ginger, lime, and spices.

Recipe: Baked Tilapia with Masala and Rice

Baked fish with apple and beetroot salad

Oven-baked fish gets a lovely crispy crust (and rich flavor) from a coating of savory panko breadcrumbs.

Recipe: Baked fish with beetroot and apple salad

Baked tilapia with potatoes and tomatoes

New potatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and sweet cherry tomatoes come together in a Mediterranean side dish for baked fish.

Recipe: Baked tilapia with tomatoes and potatoes

Mexican Fish Soup Stew

Fresh cilantro, lime juice, and ancho chili powder add a vibrant Mexican flavor to this hearty 30-minute fish soup.

Recipe: Mexican fish stew

Fish tacos with spicy creamy dressing

Marinate tilapia in a simple lime marinade to infuse it with flavor and tenderize it. So easy and delicious!

Recipe: Fish tacos with creamy sauce

Breaded fried fish

For extra flavor and a tender crust, coat the tilapia in a flour mixture with paprika, then fry until golden brown. A drizzle of creamy sauce and a side of green beans complete the dish.

Recipe: Fried fish in crispy breading

Tilapia and seafood stew soup

A light, flavorful broth forms the base of this tilapia and mussel ragout. Serve each serving with a toasted slice of ciabatta for dipping.

Recipe: Tilapia and seafood stew

Baked Tilapia with Herb Butter

Make homemade compound butter: chop fresh herbs and stir into room-temperature butter. You can make it ahead of time and freeze it, or add a little butter directly to baked fish for a quick seasoning.

Recipe: Perch baked with herbs

Tilapia with lemon, garlic and spinach

It's hard to beat this filling weeknight dinner: 410 calories and 32 grams of protein per serving. Plus, it's ready in just 35 minutes!

Recipe: Fried tilapia with lemon-garlic sauce and spinach

Fish tacos with red rice and black beans

Rachel uses simple pantry ingredients to transform fish tacos into a dish packed with flavor.

Recipe: Healthy Fish and Black Bean Tacos

Tilapia baked in foil

Foil packets are a quick, efficient, and neat way to cook fish in the oven or on the grill and transport it to the table, especially if it's tilapia. Wrapped in foil, the delicate white fish won't burn.

Recipe: Tilapia with vegetables in foil in the oven