Steamed Tilapia

For a light and refreshing meal this summer, make this Steamed Tilapia! Fresh tilapia fillets are seasoned with fresh lemon, dill, garlic powder, and other spices, and then steamed in the oven in a tin foil packet. This fish recipe makes for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner!

It’s true that steamed fish doesn’t sound like the most appetizing meal. However, in this case, “steamed” does not mean “flavorless”! This recipe is full of tantalizing flavors and fresh ingredients that will entice you to make it again and again!

I personally don’t eat as much fish as I probably should. Did you know the general guideline is to eat 2 to 3 servings of fish per week? I’m definitely not there. If you want to increase the fish in your diet too, this recipe is a perfect choice, and it’s super easy, too!

Serve it with these baked Stuffed Tomatoes, and some Three Bean Salad! It will pair perfectly with this Strawberry Spinach Salad, too. And don’t forget the Strawberry Shortcake for dessert!

Why Tilapia?

Tilapia are mainly freshwater fish with a sweet, mild flavor and flaky texture. Like other fish, tilapia are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals.

Tilapia is also a “safe” fish to eat; they are usually farm-raised, meaning less contact with pollution and a lower mercury level.

In addition, tilapia are fairly cheap to buy because they are so readily available at fish markets and grocery stores. Look for fresh, whole fish or tilapia fillets for the best results! Frozen fillets will give you slightly different results, but will still work just fine.

Tilapia are Fake???

Did you know that there is a conspiracy theory that tilapia aren’t real fish? I had no idea this was a thing! You’ve gotta love the internet!

Anyway, tilapia ARE real fish. They are only native to Africa, but they are now farmed in over 135 countries.

Most of the tilapia in the US is imported from Latin America and Asia, where fish are raised in outdoor freshwater farms.

Ingredients for Steamed Tilapia

Here’s what you’ll need to make these flavorful fish fillets:

• Tilapia fillets
• Dried dill (or the equivalent of fresh dill)
• Fresh lemon zest
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• White pepper (black pepper is fine too)
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt to taste, optional

Make sure to review the recipe card below for the amounts of actual ingredients you’ll need.

How to make Lemon Herb Tilapia

These easy fish packets are ready in just under an hour. Here’s how to make them:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place 4 sheets of aluminum foil, slightly larger than squares, on a large work surface. If you’re worried about the foil sticking to your fish, you can brush it lightly with some olive oil.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the dill, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and white pepper. Stir until well combined.
3. Place one tilapia filet on each piece of tin foil. Drizzle a teaspoon of lemon juice over each fish filet.
4. Evenly divide the seasoning mixture among the filets, sprinkling over the top of the fish.
5. Fold the sides of the tin foil up so they line up together, then fold them over to seal the foil packet.
6. Fold up each end of the foil, making sure no steam will escape while the packets are in the oven.
7. Let the tilapia steam bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

When you are ready to serve, remove the fish from the package and enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Steamed Tilapia

Let the fish cool completely to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. Cooked tilapia will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Can you Freeze Steamed Tilapia?

You can freeze lemon herb tilapia, wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container or freezer bag, for up to 3 months. The flavor and texture will begin to degrade with longer storage, so for best results, I recommend using it within a month.

Recipe Variations

• Cook your fish in a food steamer or steamer basket. I prefer using a bamboo steamer over metal steamers.
• You can also cook these tilapia packets on a grill or in a campfire!
• If you’re not a lemon fan, use light soy sauce, dry sherry or other cooking wine drizzled over each fillet instead.
• Lime wedges are a great option for a citrus flavor instead of lemons.

More Tilapia Recipes

As I said earlier, I don’t eat a ton of fish, but when I do, it’s obviously tilapia! Here are some more ways to prepare it!

• Tacoed Tilapia with Raspberry Mango Salsa
• Breaded Tilapia with Cilantro Citrus Sauce
• Seasoned Tilapia with Fruit Salsa
• Baked Tilapia with Mango Salsa

Enjoy these other Delicious Fish Recipes too!

• Basil Baked Salmon
• Avocado Tuna Salad Bites
• Chimichurri Salmon
• Brown Sugar Honey Salmon

 What is your favorite way to prepare fish? Let me know in the comments below!

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