Tilapia is one of the famous and affordable fish that has an amazing flavor profile. There are not many recipes that celebrates this fish to its fullest. Therefore, I came up with a decent and straightforward recipe that features the mild-flavored Tilapia fish with delicious sauce and a variety of vegetables and sides. This recipe is quick, healthy, simple, and so delicious! Dinner will be ready in no time.

This succulent fish is amazing when paired with butter and spicy sides. The lemon butter sauce paired with mashed potatoes, and salsa salad created the perfect dish! Each component of the dish has its flavor and texture, but when they come together, it is indeed pure bliss. By the time you finish this blog post, you will crave this recipe!

A little sidenote, I love my mashed potatoes thick and creamy versus light and airy; not sure what is the hype about light and airy mashed potatoes. In my opinion thick and creamy is the way to go! I always enjoy it this way and It’s so much more filling.

What is Tilapia?

Tilapia is mostly found in freshwaters like lakes, and pond. It is native to Africa, but the popularity of Tilapia increased in the 1800s and since, it has been farmed in many countries. The farming is quite easy and requires no extraordinary setup. Moreover, they grow up fast on a vegetarian diet, so the demand for Tilapia is readily fulfilled.

People love Tilapia for two reasons; first, it is inexpensive as compared to other freshwater fish. Second, it does not have a strong seafood like smell and taste. It is so versatile that it easily takes on flavor without losing its mild fishy taste. It is an ideal choice for Asian curries, and Mexican food. It is also ideal for pan frying and poaching.

Moreover, Tilapia has a high Omega-6 content, nutrients like Vitamin B12, potassium, and phosphorus.

Main components of Tilapia w/ lemon butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and Salsa salad

The following are three main components of our Tilapia w/ lemon butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and Salsa salad.

• Fish made in lemon butter sauce: The base of the dish is the baked Tilapia with a delicious and buttery rub of herbal aromas and lemon. The fish is flakey and perfect for soaking up all the goodness of the herbs, lemon, and butter without losing its distinct flavor.

• Salsa Salad: The tangy and spicy salsa salad adds an element of freshness with an extra kick. The spiciness and the freshness cuts through the buttery and fatty fish. Thus, it is a perfect add-on that completes the dish.

• Mashed Potatoes: Nothing can beat the simplicity and deliciousness of mashed potatoes. It is creamy and a perfect vehicle to carry the buttery fish and spicy salsa. It also adds an extra texture of creaminess to the dish to combat the tangy sauce and salsa.

How to store Tilapia?

If you have some leftovers from the dish, you can easily store each element separately in airtight Tupperware and refrigerate it. It is important to store the fish, potatoes, and salsa separately because of the refrigerating time and texture. The vegetable in salsa gets watery over time and can ruin the fish and potatoes if stored together.

The fish and potatoes can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days, whereas the salsa can be stored for a day since the vegetables start to lose their freshness and become very soggy.

You can also freeze the fish fillet then transfer it to a zip-lock bag. Squeeze out the air and seal. You can keep the fillet in the freezer for three weeks, and you can always reheat it in the oven. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10 minutes.

Tips and tricks for cooking Tilapia

1. Always pat the Tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel before seasoning. It will let the seasoning penetrate the flesh easily.

2. If you are using frozen Tilapia fillet, I recommend thawing in the fridge. To avoid sogginess from freezing, place the fish on a rack and bowl under, then place it in the refrigerator.

3. Once the fish is seasoned, cook it within 10 to 15 minutes. Otherwise, it can become soggy due to salt in seasoning. Since it is a lean fish, the seasoning over the fish will continue to intensify if you marinate for too long.

4. Tilapia can be cooked easily at low temperatures. I recommend cooking it till the fillet is opaque and fork tender. Otherwise, it starts drying out.

Here are detailed and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions on how you can make this fish with delicious sauce, potatoes, and salsa. Treat your family, friends, and yourself with this satisfying main course.