The Perfect Cajun Tilapia… Ever!

Cajun tilapia has become one of the biggest fan-favorites in our house. It is the most simple way to just mix a few things together and pop it in the oven for a bit. Many tilapia recipes have been made but I feel that they can be overcomplicated a bit (I might be bias though).

This tilapia recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and another 12 minutes to cook. Overall, you could get away with making this juicy fish dish under 45 minutes. All you need is fish, seasoning, a pan, and some love (to give the fish a good massage).

A little history on how tilapia became popular…

I love to provide some history and context on all the dishes I share here so feel free to take a quick read on where tilapia came from and how we originally incorporated it into our cultures. Who knows? You might learn something new!

Interestingly enough, tilapia was originally found within the Nile River in Africa. With a farming age of about 2,500 years, tilapia has been known as one of the oldest fish species to be used in the culinary arts.

It is also believed that Jesus had fed the community at the Sea of Galilee. This religiously historic fact had brought the tilapia fish to restaurant tables near the area.

Tilapia is also known more as a category rather than a species – it groups together almost 100 various species of lean, white fish and continues to serve as a regular staple in many households, including mine!

About the Ingredients

The ingredients for this dish are extremely simple. As the title suggests, it’s mainly just cajun seasoning plus whatever else you can find in your pantry. I like to mix the cajun seasoning with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and top it all off with lemon slices. We do use a bit of oil here but that is mainly to be able to spread the seasoning mix around in a homogenous style.

If you are aiming for low-carb, simply reduce the amount of oil/seasoning you use and it’ll still be a delectable meal to enjoy! Most, if not all, of these ingredients can be easily sourced and/or substituted from your local supermarket/grocery store to accommodate your dietary preferences.

How to Enjoy Cajun Tilapia

You can have this tilapia several ways. Here are some of the pairings we enjoy.

• On a bed of white rice with steamed veggies.
• By itself.
• As a taco.
• In an asian stir fry bowl.
• With orzo/pilaf and steamed. This is the option I use in this recipe. I get my orzo pilaf from Trader Joe’s.

Disclaimers

• This recipe has fish in it. Please be aware of any and all allergens.

References

Riches, Derrick. “Tilapia: From African Waters to Worldwide Culinary Appeal.” The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Eats, 15 Feb. 2023, www.thespruceeats.com/tilapia-origins-and-cooking-tips-331556.

Instructions (with Images and Video)

Step 1: Clean the Fish

Place your two fish filets into a strainer, rinse, and squeeze some lemon juice onto them. Let that sit for up to 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Seasonings

I usually like to drizzle/eyeball my seasonings however, feel free to mix them all up in one bowl to keep things tidy and clean!

Step 3: Wash and Dry Off Your Fish

Run each tilapia under cold or lukewarm water to remove any excess lemon juice. Pat dry until all the excess water has been absorbed. 

Step 4: Preheating

Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C.

Step 5: Prepare the Baking Dish

Line any nonstick baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

Step 6: Let’s Season the Filets

Add the filets to the prepped non-stick baking dish. We are going to season the filets one side at a time. Drizzle your seasoning mix over each side and use 1/4 of your oil on each filet to rub it in. Repeat for the other side. Top with lemon slices prior to adding to the oven.

Step 7: Bake the Filets

Add the pan to your oven and cook for 10 – 12 minutes or until the filet flakes off easily with a fork in the thickest portion.

Step 8: Final Product

Final product! Serve warm with sides of your choice (I typically reach for steamed veggies and Orzo Pilaf) ~ Enjoy!