How to Cook Tilapia 

When learning how to cook tilapia, you should know what kind of fish it is. There are many members of the tilapia family. For the most part they are freshwater fish that favor warm waters of shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. They are unable to survive in cool waters.

How to Cook TilapiaHow to Cook Tilapia

About thirty five percent of the whole tilapia. Most are now hybrids grown on commercial fish farms. They can be purchased whole or in fillets. The use of tilapia commercially in restaurants has nearly wiped out the pure wild tilapia; most are now hybrids. These fast growing lean fish live primarily on a vegetarian diet making them low in saturated fat and calories making them good if on a heart healthy diet.


When learning how to cook tilapia, you will find this mild flavored white fish will blend with other ingredients to produce some delicious recipes. It is very common to find tilapia baked, broiled, fried or in soups and stews. The firm texture makes this fish suitable for all types of cooking.

POINT OF INTEREST: This fish dates back to Biblical times. They were fished from the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel of Mathew tells about this fish.

BAKED TILAPIA how to cook tilapia the easy way

Baked TilapiaBaked Tilapia
  • 1 Pound Tilapia fillets
  • 1 Teaspoon dehydrated onion
  • 3 Cups tomato juice
  • 1 Teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ Teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 Teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1/8 Teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1/8 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place fish fillets in a baking dish.

Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over the fish.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the fish if flakey when pierced with a fork.

Remove bay leaf before serving.

CREOLE TILAPIA

Creole TilapiaCreole Tilapia
  • 2 Pounds Tilapia fillets
  • ½ Green pepper, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon diced celery
  • 2 Cloves chopped fresh garlic
  • 3 Tablespoons hot water
  • 1 Cube chicken bouillon
  • 1 Can (4 ounces) slice mushrooms (Drained)
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons onion flakes
  • 1 Teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 Cup chopped fresh tomatoes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rinse fish and pat dry; place in a baking dish.

Dissolve the chicken cube in the hot water.

Combine the chicken flavor with the remaining ingredients.

Dump mixture over the fish.

Bake for about 30  to 40 minutes until the fish is flakey.

Creole Tilapia in Baking DishCreole Tilapia in Baking Dish

ITALIAN TILAPIA

Italian Tilapia RecipeItalian Tilapia Recipe
  • 1 ½ Pounds Tilapia fillets
  • 1 Cup bread crumbs
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon oregano
  • ½ Cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons parsley
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • ¼ Cup flour
  • Parsley
  • Lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease baking dish.

Mix bread crumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, cheese, parsley and garlic powder.

Dip fish in the beaten eggs and then coat with the crumb mixture.

Arrange in the baking dish.

Bake about 15 minutes or until the fish becomes flakey to touch with a fork.

Remove fish to a serving platter. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle with the parsley.

LEMON BUTTER TILAPIA

Lemon Butter TilapiaLemon Butter Tilapia

Learn how to cook tilapia with the delicious flavors of lemon, garlic and butter.

  • 8 Tilapia fillets
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ Teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 3 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 Teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (or cilantro)
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • Paprika

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Wash fish with tepid water and pat dry; place fillets in a casserole baking dish.

Sprinkle each piece with salt, pepper and paprika.

Combine lemon juice, peel, butter, garlic and parsley in small bowl.

Spoon equal amounts of mixture over each fillet.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes until fish flakes. 

Lemon Butter Tilapia Ready to BakeLemon Butter Tilapia Ready to Bake

TILAPIA CHOWDER RECIPE

  • 2 Pounds tilapia fillets
  • 1 Large onion (Peel, chop fine)
  • 4 Medium potatoes (Peel, dice fine)
  • 4 Carrots (Peel, dice fine)
  • 4 Stalks celery (Chop fine)
  • 3 Slices bacon (Cut into small pieces)
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 Can (16 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 Quart hot fish broth
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ Teaspoon oregano
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • Tabasco sauce or cayenne to taste

Cut tilapia into bite size pieces; set aside.

Brown bacon in Dutch oven or large pot; add vegetables to pot.

Cover and cook over medium about 15 minutes until tender.

Add to pot the parsley, tomatoes, hot broth, ketchup, Worcestershire and seasonings.

Bring to a boil, REDUCE HEAT and simmer about 15 minutes.

Add the fish pieces to the pot and simmer until fish is cooked about 10 minutes.

Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little water to make smooth paste.

Stir cornstarch into chowder and stir about 5 minutes; serve immediately.