20 Best Tilapia Recipes

Tilapia is versatile, mild tasting, and an inexpensive alternative to pricier white fish. We love tilapia's delicate texture and subtly sweet flavor. You can bake, broil, poach, fry, and grill tilapia. And its neutral flavor lets the flavors of marinades, wine- or stock-based sauces, and dressings shine through. Tilapia's also low fat and a terrific source of protein. What's not to love? Check out these 20 top-rated tilapia recipes. They're quick and easy and offer loads of variety. And explore our complete collection of Tilapia Recipes.

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Grilled Tilapia with Mango Salsa

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These easy grilled tilapia fillets feature a flavorful homemade mango salsa with jalapenos, red bell peppers, red onions, lime juice, and cilantro. "This is super-easy, and gets rave reviews whenever I serve it," says Naomi Witzke. "Combine leftover salsa with some drained black beans the next day for lunch."

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Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Fillets

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Folks who think they don't like fish, fall in love with this tilapia recipe despite themselves. It's a quick-and-easy dinner that calls for just five simple ingredients, but it's loaded with irresistible flavor. "Even my husband (who doesn't like fish that much) went back for seconds!" says France C. "Works well in low-carb diets."

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Hudson's Baked Tilapia with Dill Sauce

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This simple but impressive baked tilapia recipe features Cajun seasoning and a creamy dill sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Dinner's ready in about 30 minutes! "This recipe is easy, quick and great!" raves binvan. "The whole family loved it. Fish has enough flavor that it doesn't have to be served with the dill sauce, but I made if for those who wanted it."

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Pan-Seared Tilapia

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Another simple tilapia dish that’s full of flavor and requires only a bare minimum of ingredients. Lightly coat the fillets with seasoned flour and pan-fry them in olive oil -- dinner’s on the table in minutes. "This pan-seared tilapia dish is a delicious and easy way to prepare seafood!" says Apple Chef. "Great for a quick weeknight meal accompanied with fresh veggies. Try this healthy dish full of flavor and nutrition!" Garnish with chopped parsley and a splash of lemon juice.

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Almond-Crusted Tilapia

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You'll lightly dust tilapia fillets with flour, dip in egg, and then press your fillets into an almond and Parmesan cheese mixture. "Tilapia is about the only fish I can get my family to eat, and up until now, our favorite recipe has been the Broiled Tilapia Parmesan," says Mama Cass. "However, my husband thinks this tilapia is even better!"

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Quick Fish Tacos

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Pan-fry your tilapia fillets in a jalapeno-infused oil and serve with a simple cabbage slaw. "This is one of my all-time favorite recipes for a weeknight meal," says Val. "Easy to make and really, really tasty! The whole family loves these!"

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Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Bowl with Blackened Tilapia

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Blackened tilapia is the star of this quinoa bowl, with black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, and greens. "This is my take on the cilantro-lime quinoa bowl from everyone's favorite Mexican-inspired coastal fast food chain," says Raluca. "You can season the tilapia or buy the pre-seasoned ones at the market. If you have an Aldi grocery nearby, they have a fresh tilapia seasoned with a Southwest rub, which is perfect for this recipe."

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Mexican Paella with Cauliflower Rice

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Here's a grain-free, Mexican-inspired paella with tilapia, chorizo, and tomatoes, with riced cauliflower subbing in for the white rice. "A deliciously tempting, grain-free paella made Mexican style with flavorful chorizo," says Diana71. "This recipe has a wonderful earthy background flavor and a deep color. It makes a beautiful presentation for dinner."

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Grilled Tilapia with Tomato-Olive Tapenade

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Another great one for busy weeknight dinners. Oven-grilled tilapia is topped with a savory tomato and olive tapenade. "Making it again tomorrow this is so good," raves Lois Ann Kerns.

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Hispanic Tilapia and Rice Bowl

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"A quick and easy dish that comes alive on those busy days," says Paula Baker. Serve these tasty tilapia fillets on seasoned yellow rice with black beans and corn.

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Grilled Tilapia with Smoked Paprika

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Another weeknight winner. Brush tilapia fillets with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, and grill. "This was delicious and easy to prepare!" says sugarplum. "I cooked this on an outdoor grill and it had a wonderful smoky flavor."

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Ernesto's Tilapia

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Grilled tilapia with bell peppers, onions, cilantro, and lots of lime juice. "Perfect summer grilling recipe," says Sherri. "We have made this many times now using our cast iron skillet with foil covering, a favorite when were camping. Works with other fish also." Serve with saltine crackers and hot sauce.

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Tilapia Feta Florentine

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Plenty of Mediterranean flavors in this tilapia dinner: olive oil, lemon, garlic, and feta cheese. It's served Florentine-style with fresh spinach. "A very clean, fresh, and satisfying Mediterranean dish," says Eddie Riddell.

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Healthier Easy Baked Tilapia

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Fresh garlic and lemon do wonders in this quick-and-easy baked tilapia dinner. "This recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare, uses few ingredients, and is flavorful," says MakeItHealthy. Serve with cauliflower, broccoli, and red pepper, and you have a healthy and satisfying meal.

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Jeannie's Kickin' Fried Fish

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This recipe takes mere minutes. Tilapia fillets are coated with seasoned bread crumbs and pan-fried to a beautiful golden brown. "I was looking for a good fish fry recipe and this was it!" says Jenny Desroch. "Very flavorful and so easy!!

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Pan Seared Lemon Tilapia with Parmesan Pasta

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So simple! Season tilapia fillets with herbs and a splash of lemon juice, and sear in a pan. Then serve over a quick Parmesan pasta. "Wow," says LaLa C. "First fish recipe that really blew my taste buds! Awesome favors!"

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Tilapia Scaloppine

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Tilapia gets an Italian treatment here with capers and fresh mushrooms. "I often eat at Macaroni Grill and order their Pollo Scaloppine," says Robin Joy Wright. "I thought I might try and adapt it at home using a mild fish. My husband was amazed at what I came up with. It's good with salad, brown rice, and crusty bread."

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Tilapia Scampi

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Tilapia fillets are baked in a scrumptious, scampi-inspired sauce. "My husband and I love shrimp scampi," says JasnsWif. "Since tilapia is usually cheaper than shrimp at the store, I concocted this easy recipe to enjoy the flavor of scampi at the price of tilapia!"

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Crispy Chipotle Lime Tilapia with Cool Avocado Sauce

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"My husband loves this zesty Southwestern-style fish," says LARANEFF. "I usually make a package of red or black beans with rice to serve with it while the fish cooks. If you have any leftovers, they make great fish tacos."

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Spanish Moroccan Fish

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"This definitely is reminiscent of dishes my host mom would make when I was living in southern Spain," says Jennifer. "I used more olives but otherwise kept it pretty consistent with the recipe. Turned out great."

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