Blackened Tilapia – This is a delicious recipe for tilapia that is on the table in under 10 minutes! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal and so easy to make!
Blackened Tilapia is an easy and flavorful tilapia recipe that is on the table in just minutes! This recipe starts with tilapia but any white fish will work perfectly! I mix up a very simple blackened seasoning recipe and rub it over the outside of the fish. I give it a quick fry in a skillet (or put it into the oven for a few minutes) along with some lemon slices and voila, the perfect blackened fish!
How to Blacken Fish
I learned about blackened fish on a recent trip to New Orleans with some friends. We heard a bit about it on a food tour we took and then got to enjoy amazing blackened fish created for us by a chef in the hotel we stayed in.
What does blackened fish mean?
Blackened Fish was a made popular by chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans and for good reason. It’s very simple and delicious to make.
Blackening fish means brushing fish with butter and rubbing it with a blackened seasoning mixture. The fish is then usually fried in a cast iron pan (but you can make blackened tilapia in the oven as well).
Because of the butter and seasonings, the outside of the fish will turn a dark “blackened” color while keeping it tender and juicy inside.
What is Blackened Seasoning?
What to serve with Blackened Fish
Blackened tilapia is delicious served with a delicious creamy coleslaw, some Crock Pot Corn on the Cob, Simple Herb Oven Roasted Potatoes or a nice fresh Kale Salad with Fresh Lemon Dressing. I always add lemon to the pan to allow it to cook along with the blackened fish for great flavor (and sometimes serve a side of tartar sauce along with it)!
This blackened tilapia is a delicious option spice up our favorite Easy Fish Tacos as well!
More Fish Recipes You’ll Love
- Herb Crusted Baked Salmon
- Parmesan Broiled Tilapia –Popular!
- Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
- Honey Mustard Salmon
- One Pan Sesame Ginger Salmon & Broccoli – Easy family meal!
- Easy Baked Tilapia (or Cod) – Quick!
Blackened Tilapia
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets or other white fish
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Blackened Seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine seasonings & brown sugar in a small bowl.
- Rub seasoning over fish and pan fry or bake in the oven as directed below.
Stove Top
- Heat oil and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the seasoned fish and a few of the lemon slices and cook 3 minutes per side or just until done (do not overcook).
- Serve with remaining lemon.
Oven
- Turn broiler onto high and place oven rack on the top.
- Line a pan with foil and add tilapia fillets and a few lemon slices. Broil for 3 minutes.
- Flip fish and additional 3-4 minutes until tender and flaky. Do not overcook. Serve with remaining lemon.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Seasonings
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
REPIN this Delicious Seafood Recipe
Excellent recipe, the talapia was so flakey with the best flavor off the mixed seasonings and lemon.
Thanks, Sharon. I am glad you enojoyed it!
As a dietetics student who loves to cook, this recipe was a hit! I always challenge myself to find recipes that are nutritious and delicious. My picky boyfriend also loved this one. Thanks for the recipe!
This tilapia dish is absolutely delicious! I also love that I already had all the ingredients on hand!
This will become a regular at our home. Thank you so much!
This is my go to tilapia recipe. Fast, seasonings on hand. Reheats nicely in the air fryer too.
I serve with steamed broccoli.
Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Sloan! So happy to hear how much you love this tilapia recipe!
Does this store well in the refrigerator for meal prepping?
Hi Matthew, once cooked it should last in the fridge 2-3 days. If prepping in advance I would recommend prepping the seasoning separately and then rubbing it on the fish before cooking as directed in the recipe.
Easy snd delicious! Great seasoning recipe as well!
Sooo yummy!! The perfect amount of “spice”. I made a tartar sauce with some mayo, relish, salt, pep, and lemon juice. So good! I will definitely be making this again.
Love this recipe! It’s now a staple in our house & all 5 of my kids love it. I don’t usually add the brown sugar & I triple the spices to really coat the fish thoroughly. I serve it with calabacitas & spanish rice, healthy & delicious!
Sounds delish Amy!
This is so good. My family loves this recipe. I’ve been making it like once a week!
Love the recipes
I doubled the recipe because I was making eight fillets. On the two largest, I only dusted one side, and the rest both. I thought my husband might not like the spiciness! Instead, He said it was terrific and ate two more portions that were dusted on both sides!! :) He said, “we can have this again anytime!!” so I guess it will go into the rotation. Thanks for a great recipe.
Please stop with the stories . Nobody care cares I just want the recipe not your life story
This post contains no stories or personal information. I have included info only related to the recipe and ingredients as cooks of all levels enjoy this site.
In the future, there is a jump to recipe button at the top of each post that will take you directly to the recipe. Hope that helps. Enjoy!
That was very unkind to post, Bob. I didn’t want to read your RUDE comment, only comments about the recipe, but here it is… So please stop with the unnecessary comments. Nobody cares.
P.S. – the recipe was delicious!!!
What a rude comment lol. Geeeeez. Nobody care cares about your ugly opinion either ♀️
Loved this. I can’t believe how good it turned out. Used cooking spray instead of butter. We’re going to try this with fish tacos next. Then I may try it with chicken.
Looks good! If baking in the oven, do you use oil and butter?
I am about to try one of your recipes!! I am looking forward to trying your Blackened Tilapia.
It’s a great recipe Devourah! Have fun cooking!
I made this on yesterday and it was delicious. I also added some blackened seasoning which gave the fish a spicy kick. I will be making this again.
I’m so happy to hear you love this tilapia recipe Ann!