Savory Tilapia with Zesty Tomatillo Sauce
Indulge in a delightful seafood dish featuring tender tilapia fillets smothered in a tangy and flavorful tomatillo sauce, enriched with cilantro and a hint of lime. This easy-to-make recipe captures a medley of spices and freshness, making it perfect for a quick yet gourmet meal. Ideal for a satisfying dinner served with a side of Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
tilapia fillets
4 (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds total)
salt
to taste
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (eyeballed)
sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon (eyeballed)
extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
lime
1 (juiced)
red onion
1/2 medium (chopped)
jalapeno or serrano pepper
1 (seeded and finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2-3 (finely chopped)
tomatillos
8-10 (peeled and diced, with juice)
pale beer
6 ounces
chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (plus extra sprigs for garnish)
Instructions
1
Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground cumin, and sweet paprika.
2
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, swirling to coat the base.
3
Carefully place the seasoned tilapia fillets into the hot skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
4
Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the cooked fish. Transfer the fillets to a warm serving platter, and keep them warm.
5
Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add another tablespoon of olive oil along with the chopped red onion, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño (or serrano pepper), and finely chopped garlic.
6
Sauté the vegetables for 1-2 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the peeled and diced tomatillos along with their juices.
7
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then sauté the mixture for another 1-2 minutes.
8
Pour in the pale beer and the juice from the remaining lime half. Increase the heat to bring the sauce to a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer.
9
Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
10
Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro, reserving a few sprigs for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
11
Remove from heat. Spoon the hot tomatillo sauce generously over the tilapia fillets.
12
Garnish each plate with fresh cilantro sprigs before serving. Enjoy this savory dish with a side of Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Tilapia with Zesty Tomatillo Sauce?
It is a seafood dish featuring tender tilapia fillets covered in a tangy tomatillo sauce with cilantro and lime.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
How long should I cook the tilapia fillets in the skillet?
The tilapia should be sautéed for approximately 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
What ingredients are used to season the tilapia?
The fish is seasoned with salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground cumin, and sweet paprika.
What is the total weight of tilapia fillets needed?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds total of tilapia fillets.
How do I prepare the tomatillos for the sauce?
The tomatillos should be peeled and diced, making sure to keep their juices.
How many tomatillos are required for the recipe?
You will need 8-10 tomatillos.
Can I use a different pepper if I don't have a jalapeño?
Yes, you can use a serrano pepper as an alternative to the jalapeño.
How much beer is added to the tomatillo sauce?
The recipe requires 6 ounces of pale beer.
How long should the tomatillo sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer gently for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
What type of beer is recommended for this sauce?
A pale beer is recommended for the sauce.
When should the lime juice be added to the fish?
Squeeze the juice from half a lime over the cooked tilapia fillets after they are transferred to a warm serving platter.
When is the remaining lime juice used?
The juice from the remaining half of the lime is added to the skillet when making the sauce.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing the fish and vegetables?
Extra virgin olive oil is used for both the fish and the sauce vegetables.
How much garlic is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2-3 finely chopped garlic cloves.
How do I know the tilapia is fully cooked?
The fish is done when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
What should I do with the tilapia before seasoning it?
You should pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels.
What is a recommended side dish for this meal?
It is ideally served with a side of Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette.
How much cilantro is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro plus extra sprigs for garnish.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as a 30-minute meal and described as a quick yet gourmet dinner.
What type of onion is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a medium red onion, chopped.
Do I need to seed the peppers?
Yes, the jalapeño or serrano pepper should be seeded and finely chopped.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total.
Is the tomatillo sauce served hot or cold?
The hot tomatillo sauce should be spooned generously over the tilapia fillets before serving.
What heat setting should be used for the skillet?
A medium-high heat setting is recommended for the skillet.
What style of cuisine does this recipe represent?
It is described as a Mexican-inspired seafood dish.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as healthy.
What brand or chef is associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged with Rachael Ray.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step for the sauce is to sauté chopped red onion, seeded jalapeño, and garlic in olive oil.
Can I garnish the dish?
Yes, each plate should be garnished with fresh cilantro sprigs before serving.