Blackened Tilapia

$4.19 recipe / $1.05 serving
by Beth - Budget Bytes
4.41 from 15 votes
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I’m continuing my quest to use up items in my pantry and freezer, which led to this delicious Blacked Tilapia. A while back I bought a bag of 12 individually wrapped tilapia filets for $9.99. I’ve made a couple batches of Baked Tilapia with Tomatoes (YUM!), but wasn’t quite sure how to use the rest. Then it hit me. When in doubt, add spices!

“Blackened” fish or meat isn’t burned. It’s “black” because it’s coated heavily in spices, which turn dark when cooked in a skillet with butter. The process is super simple and adds a LOT of flavor. You really can’t go wrong with that formula. I used my left over tilapia here, but this will also work well with chicken. Just be sure to pound your chicken into thin filets so that it cooks quickly in the skillet before the outside has an opportunity to burn.

I paired this awesomely spiced fish with my Sautéed Corn and Tomatoes. They’re a perfect pair. Perfect for summer cookouts and perfect for Father’s Day!

Blackened Tilapia

Top view of a plate of Blackened Tilapia garnished with parsley, a bowl of seasoning on the side

Pictured with parsley for color. Parsley not needed to achieve amazing flavor. It’s amazing all by its wonderful self.

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Blackened Tilapia

4.41 from 15 votes
Blackened Tilapia means big flavor with little effort. This homemade blend of spices is sure to wow and the fish cooks in just minutes in a hot skillet.
Servings 4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp smoked paprika ($0.30)
  • 1 tsp cumin ($0.10)
  • 1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
  • 1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • Freshly cracked pepper, about 20 cranks of a pepper mill ($0.05)
  • 1 Tbsp butter ($0.15)
  • 4- 4 oz each tilapia filets ($3.33)
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Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, combine the paprika, cumin, thyme, oregano, cayenne, garlic, salt, and pepper. Liberally coat both sides of each tilapia filet with the spices. The moisture from the filet will help the spices adhere. If the fish is very wet, pat it dry with a paper towel before beginning, so that it is just damp.
  • Melt 1 Tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat until it begins to foam. Add two of the fish filets at a time and cook for about two minutes on each side, or until the spices have turned a deep burgundy color and the fish is cooked through. Repeat with the second two filets, adding more butter before beginning, if needed. Serve hot.

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Notes

If smoked paprika is not available, spicy or sweet paprika may be used in its place.
If you prefer a spicier fish, increase the cayenne pepper to 1/2 tsp.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 143.45kcalCarbohydrates: 1.9gProtein: 23.1gFat: 5.23gSodium: 291.33mgFiber: 1.03g
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Plate of Blackened Tilapia topped with corn salad

Pictured with Sautéed Corn and Tomatoes.

 

Step by Step Photos

Blackened Seasoning ingredients in mixing bowl

First mix together the spices for the Blackened Seasoning. In a small bowl combine 1 Tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and about 20 cranks of a pepper mill. Smoked paprika adds an amazing smoky element to this, but if you don’t have that you can use regular paprika. If you want a spicier fish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper. You can test the spiciness after it is mixed together and add more as needed.

Coated Fish in Blackened Seasoning with bowl of extra seasoning on the side

If your fish is really wet, dry it off slightly with a paper towel. You want it to be damp so that the spices will adhere, but not dripping wet. Coat both sides of the filets liberally with the spice mix. This spice mix is enough for about four 4-oz. filets.

Melting Butter in skillet

Melt 1 Tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat until it is foamy. If the butter begins to turn brown, take it off the heat immediately! Burned butter is the last thing you want. A little tan is okay, but if it begins to brown before the fish is even added, it will likely go too far and burn while the fish is cooking. 

Two tilapia fillets cooking in skillet on stove top

Add two filets at a time to the skillet. It should sizzle a bit. Let the fish cook for about two minutes on each side. Flip carefully with a spatula.

Cooked Tilapia in skillet on stove top

See how the spices turn a really nice dark brown color? Beautiful.

Blackened Tilapia filet on white plate garnished with parsley, small bowl of extra seasoning on the side

And then it’s ready to serve! Tilapia cooks very quickly, so it doesn’t need to be in the skillet long. Just until it’s tender enough to flake with a fork.

Top view of a plate of Blackened Tilapia with Corn salad on stop, small bowl of extra seasoning and fork on the side

Seriously. The sweet Sautéed Corn with Tomatoes plus the spicy Blackened Tilapia? A match made in heaven.

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Comments

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  1. I used swai because tilapia is weirdly expensive now. I ended using 2 lb total (the recipe calls for 1 lb) because the filets were bigger. I think 2 lb balanced better was the corn & tomatoes recipe too, which was great on top. You might want to halve the corn & tomatoes if using small 4 oz filets.

    I also served with the seasoned brown rice recipe, which was great all together. 

  2. Your skillet isn’t hot enough. The flavor of blackened foods comes from charring the spices, particularly the thyme and oregano. Use plain paprika instead of smoked and leave out the cumin. You will need to have a stove hood that vents outside or do it in a skillet on a grill outside. Season your fish and preheat the skillet until it is very, very, very hot. Drizzle in clarified butter (it must be clarified). Add the fish and cook about 2 minutes on each side. That’s it. Also works with swordfish or tuna steaks and also chicken breast. You will have a new favorite dish.