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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dishes / Seafood / 30 Mins Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner

30 Mins Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner

February 25, 2019 by Mahy, Updated March 23, 2022 18 Comments

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30 Minutes Mexican Tilapia Fillets

Pressed for time? This Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner with Mexican black beans, homemade guacamole, and restaurant-style salsa comes together in just 30 minutes and is healthy, nutritious and outrageously delicious!

pan-fried tilapia fish fillets crusted with Mexican spices and served with black beans, guacamole and salsa

This 30 mins Mexican tilapia fish dinner recipe is one of those last minute dinner meals that is packed with flavor! It’s absolutely delish and a total crowd pleaser you can make with minimal effort! 

overhead of pan-fried tilapia fish fillets crusted with Mexican spices and served with black beans, guacamole and salsa on a fish shaped plate

TILAPIA FISH

Tilapia Fish is a fresh water fish and has a clean taste. It’s usually farmed unfortunately and has come under some bad press for farming practices in China. So rather than looking for wild Tilapia (because it’s very rare), look for Tilapia raised in the US and other countries.

Tilapia Fish is loaded with minerals, protein and omega 6. What I love most about tilapia however is it’s easily spiced and doesn’t have any “fishy” taste whatsoever.

Tilapia fish takes on any spice blend or topping beautifully, so the sky’s your limit—something simple like this Quick Zesty Herb Tilapia is an example or something fancier and richer in flavor yet still simple, like this Pesto Pistachio Fish Fillet.

You can even go bold with a tandoori spice, or stick to my Mexican spice. Basically garlic, lime and chilli spice. And that’s it. Sear the fish on each side for 6-7 mins and you’re done!

In brief,

Is Tilapia Good For You?

The answer would be YES if you can source it from anywhere but China and if you don’t eat too much of it!

salsa being drizzled on top of spice crusted pan-fried tilapia fillets with black beans and guacamole on the side

MEXICAN FISH / TILAPIA RECIPE

You’ll devour this pan-fried tilapia fish recipe because it’s packed with Mexican flavor! And it’s a total crowd pleaser you can make with minimal effort!

The best thing is that you can play around with various toppings and any grain you want, add some tortilla chips, a chopped salad – whatever you are craving. It’s one of those ultra satisfying dinner plates with condiments that will make you wanna double and triple your servings!

Since tilapia fish cooks very fast, you’ll find it a go to choice when you’re rushed for weekdays dinners.

You can play around with toppings and grains, add some chips, salad, and make this a different version every time. It’s one of those ultra satisfying dinner plates with condiments that will make you wanna double and triple your servings!

Every time I’m up for something Mexican-inspired, I pull out my favorite gadget: Yes, my food processor. I end up making salsas, guacamole or avocado dressing in minutes—and what a difference to the final meal those few mins make!

It’s day and night. One of my favorites is this Quickest Chicken Fajita with Mango Pineapple Salsa, or this Mexican Style lentil Detox salad . Seriously just a few minutes.

HOW TO COOK TILAPIA

For today’s Mexican infused tilapia fish dinner plate, I made my favorite restaurant Style Mexican Salsa and my favorite classic Mexican guacamole.

The tilapia fish is seasoned with simply garlic, chilli powder and salt. That’s really all you need to make this plate shine. It’s also the ONLY way I make my Tilapia Fish Tacos recipe–same blend! Now pan sear the fish in some oil for 5 minutes per side and your fish is ready!

Mexican Style pan fried tilapia fillets served on a fish-shaped plate with Mexican side dishes

My final additions to this recipe are a type of grain and beans. For the grain—I tried to stay away from rice so I used whole wheat bulgur. Any type of grain works beautifully here—quinoa, millet, buckwheat if you’re gluten-free (or not), or something like faro, couscous, pearl couscous. Anything you have on hand.

overhead shot of two plated loaded with pan-fried tilapia fillet, Mexican Black beans, restaurant-style salsa and guacamole

And for the record, the grain is completely optional. As for the beans. This is my favorite shortcut to speedy refried style beans, I mash up roughly some black beans using a fork (very roughly) and then toss them with a pinch of salt and my favorite Restaurant style Mexican salsa. This also makes an amazing bean topping to load up your nachos with!

close up of Mexican pan-fried tilapia fillet crusted with spices served next to sliced avocado and a dish with homemade salsa

Finally, I just assemble my tilapia fish recipe plate by piling up some grain, topping it with my fancy speedy bean mixture, more salsa on top, guacamole on the side, my succulent pan-fried tilapia, more salsa, maybe a dollop of sour cream, forks and a BIG smile on my face!!!

If you’re a fan of uncomplicated dinners and Mexican flavours THIS pan-fried tilapia with all the Mexican trimmings is a must try!! Now dust your food processors, and make yourself a Mexican Fiesta 🙂 Enjoy 🙂

a fork balancing a bite of fried tilapia fish fillet with rice black beans and guacamole

TILAPIA FISH RECIPE TIPS

  • Make sure to really rub the spice mixture into the fish for maximum flavor.
  • Homemade salsa and guacamole taste best (use my recipes) but you can use store-bought as a shortcut.
  • Serve this pan-fried tilapia with any grain or legume you like. Quinoa, brown rice, lentils, farro, white rice or bulgur – anything goes.
  • It’s best to eat the dinner plate as is the same day, but use leftover tilapia for fish tacos or salad!
  • The bean mixture also makes the best nachos!

FISH RECIPES

  • Baked Fish With Dill Cherry Salsa And Lemon Cauliflower Rice
  • Pesto Pistachio Fish Fillet
  • Fish Taco Recipe Bowl With Peach Slaw
  • Blood Orange Salmon Salad With Orange Dill Dressing
30 Mins Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner. The absolute crowd pleasing Mexican infused fish dinner in mins! Quick, EASY, insanely delicious and perfect for busy nights! Get the recipe and variations for endless ways to enjoy this! www.twopurplefigs.com
4.22 from 23 votes
Print

30 Mins Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner

Pressed for time? This Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner with Mexican black beans, homemade guacamole, and restaurant-style salsa comes together in just 30 minutes and is healthy, nutritious and outrageously delicious!

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword How to Cook Tilapia Fish, Seafood Dinner, Tilapia Fish recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 499 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Tilapia:

  • 4 tilapia fish fillets (whole or loins only)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tablespoons Mexican chilli spice (hot or mild)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Beans:

  • 1 cup drained canned black beans
  • 1/2 cup Restaurant style Mexican salsa
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Assemble

  • 2 cups cooked lentils or any grain or seed ( see: how to cook quinoa, spicy vegan chickpea Moroccan couscous, mixed grain kale citrus salad, or Mexican style lentil detox salad)
  • 1 batch restaurant style Mexican salsa
  • 1 batch classic Mexican Guacamole
  • sour cream (optional)
  • grape tomatoes (optional)
  • sliced jalapeños (optional)

Instructions

  1. Using a food processor, prepare the Restaurant style Mexican Salsa and the guacamole.
  2. Toss the fish fillets with all ingredients except for the olive oil. Rub the spice, garlic and lime well into each fillet for utmost flavor.
  3. Heat up a skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil, and when hot, add the tilapia fish. Let the fish sear on one side for 6 mins, flip the fillets and let them cook for another 6-7 mins, and then flip them one last time. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let the fish stay in the pan for 2-3 mins more (this ensures perfect done-ness).

  4. In the meantime, prepare the bean mixture. Mash up the black beans roughly using a fork in a bowl, season them with salt, and toss them with the salsa mixture while gently mashing to your desired texture.
  5. Assemble the plate by mounding some cooked grain, seed or lentils, top them with the bean mixture, and top that with more salsa. Place the fish fillet next to it and then surround it with some salsa, guacamole and your favorite condiments. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • Make sure to really rub the spice mixture into the fish for maximum flavor.
  • Homemade salsa and guacamole taste best (use my recipes) but you can use store-bought as a short cut.
  • Serve this pan-fried tilapia with any grain or legume you like. Quinoa, brown rice, lentils, farro, white rice or bulgur - anything goes.
  • It's best to eat the dinner plate as is the same day, but use leftover tilapia for fish tacos or salad!
  • The bean mixture also makes the best nachos!
Nutrition Facts
30 Mins Mexican Tilapia Fish Dinner
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 499 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 85mg28%
Sodium 1073mg47%
Potassium 1629mg47%
Carbohydrates 43g14%
Fiber 17g71%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 49g98%
Vitamin A 560IU11%
Vitamin C 14.4mg17%
Calcium 90mg9%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Filed Under: Cuisine Category, Mexican Recipes, Recipes, Seafood Tagged With: 30 mins meals, 30 mins tilapia dinner, classic salsa, Fish spice, healthy dinners, how to cook fish, how to cook tilapia, mexican, Mexican dinner, Mexican fish, mexican grain bowl, quick fish, seafood, spicy fish, tilapia dinner, tilapia fish, tilapia recipe, tilapia recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ieva

    October 20, 2022 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    Your Mexican recipes are the best! I’m probably on your 10th recipe in just one month, and cannot get enough! This was another brilliant meal – so quick to make, beautifully spiced, and as we just found out – it works wonderfully with bream, in case you don’t have tilapia on hand! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Allyson Zea

    February 27, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t believe how gorgeous these plates are! LOVE IT!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      hahahah everyone loves the plates!

      Reply
  3. Catalina

    February 27, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    Tilapia is my favorite fish. This is definitely a must try recipe!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      Hope you make it!

      Reply
  4. Cindy Gordon

    February 27, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    5 stars
    That recipe looks delicious! However, I think I’m just as in love with those plates too. 😛

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      hahahahaha I know the plates play a role here 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sabrina

    February 27, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    This was such a great dinner! So easy and delicious.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      glad you enjoyed it Sabrina!

      Reply
  6. Katerina @ diethood .com

    February 27, 2019 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    Such an amazing dish!! The Tilapia looks incredibly delicious!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      Thanks Katerina!

      Reply
  7. Chrissie Baker

    February 27, 2019 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    Very delicious, while also being light and healthy – definitely highlights the flavor of the fish in subtle way.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      So true!

      Reply
  8. Harshad

    February 26, 2019 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never tasted Tilapia in my life, but I have to say this one looks so delicious. I wonder if we can prepare it with saltwater fish though.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      Try it with another type of fish!

      Reply
  9. Mona

    February 26, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    Love to taste all ingredients in one healthy dish

    Reply
    • Mahy

      April 23, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      So true!!

      Reply
  10. Mahy

    May 18, 2016 at 9:49 pm

    Heather thanks so much!! Hope you like it 🙂

    Reply

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Mahy PicHi I'm Mahy, a recipe developer, food stylist, culinary instructor, photographer, wife and busy mom! Welcome to my blog!...Read More

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