Tilapia the Costa Rican Way
Transport your taste buds to the tropics with "Tilapia the Costa Rican Way," a radiant, flavor-packed dish that’s as vibrant as it is delicious. Succulent tilapia fillets are marinated in a zesty blend of lime juice, garlic, paprika, and cumin, then pan-seared to perfection for a lightly crisp exterior and tender, flaky interior. The star of the plate is a fresh and fruity mango-avocado salsa, bursting with sweetness, creaminess, and a hint of tangy red onion, which perfectly complements the savory fish. Served over a bed of fluffy white rice and garnished with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro and lime wedges for a citrusy finish, this quick and easy recipe is an irresistible nod to Costa Rican cuisine. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner or a vibrant centerpiece for entertaining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces tilapia fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 pieces garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 piece ripe avocado (sliced)
- 1 piece ripe mango (diced)
- 0.25 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 4 pieces lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Rinse the tilapia fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
Place the tilapia fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let the fillets marinate for 10 minutes.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if necessary.
Cook the marinated tilapia fillets in the skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
While the fish cooks, prepare the mango-avocado salsa. In a medium bowl, combine diced mango, sliced avocado, red onion, and half of the chopped cilantro. Toss gently to mix.
Serve the cooked tilapia fillets over a bed of cooked white rice. Top with spoonfuls of the mango-avocado salsa.
Garnish with the remaining chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.
Enjoy this tropical and vibrant Costa Rican-inspired meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1710 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 70.8 g | 91% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.2 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 228 mg | 76% | |
| Sodium | 3410 mg | 148% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 159.7 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.3 g | 76% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.2 g | ||
| Protein | 120.9 g | 242% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 201 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 10.6 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 3304 mg | 70% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
