Cooking Tilapia Fish – Blackened Tilapia with Mango Salsa

Using only a cast iron skillet, cooking tilapia fish to perfection is SO easy.  A light dish perfect for spring, it seriously will only will take about 10 minutes to make this blackened tilapia with mango salsa… and it is AMAZING.  I got the idea for this from a dish at a local chain restaurant.  I liked the dish, but didn’t like the $15 (plus tip) price, so I figured out a cheap and easy was to make it at home.

To start, heat up your cast iron skillet (any pan will work too, but cast iron will give it the best sear) with some olive oil over medium heat.  While the pan is heating up, season the tilapia.  By the way, if you’re looking for an awesome cast iron pan, this is the one I use and I LOVE it!

The seasoning is also very easy.  I used a seasoned salt that has a kick to it; my favorite is Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning.  Sprinkle some on both sides, and then add a generous dusting of paprika to both sides.  If you want it spicy, feel free to add cayenne pepper as well.

After seasoning the fish, prepare the mango salsa.  Chop the mangos and pepper and place in bowl.  Mix in the remaining ingredients.

Once the pan is hot and the oil is just about smoking, place the fish in the pan.  Heat for 5 minutes total, flipping halfway through.

And if you want some ideas for sides, why not use the same cast iron skillet to saute green beans and brown rice?  Simply saute the green beans for about 10 minutes before cooking the fish.  After the fish is done, toss some cooked brown rice in the hot pan and cook for about a minute, scraping up the seasoning and oil left in the pan from the fish.  Less dishes to wash is always a win.

Blackened Tilapia with Mango Salsa

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Lauren Cobello

Ingredients

• 4 thawed tilapia filets about 16 oz. total - we get our at Aldi for $3.99 per bag
• Seasoned salt like Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
• Paprika - enough for a generous dusting
• Cayenne pepper optional
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 mangoes
• 1/2 green pepper
• 1 tbsp cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of cooked corn
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

• Heat skillet over medium heat with olive oil
• Season tilapia with seasoned salt, then paprika
• Prepare salsa - cut up mangoes and pepper, mix in a bowl with other salsa ingredients
• Once the pan is hot, place fish in pan.
• Cook fish for 5 minutes total, flipping halfway through.
• Serve fish with salsa over the top.

Have you grabbed my freezer meal plans, yet? I might be biased but I think they are pretty amazing! They have saved our dinner hour for years now. Check them out!