Blackened Tilapia with Mango Salsa
This Blackened Tilapia with Mango Salsa features mild tilapia fillets coated in a smoky spice blend and pan-seared until perfectly blackened, then topped with a fresh, bright mango salsa for a delicious contrast of flavors.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingrédients
Tilapia and Seasoning
- 4 tilapia fillets about 6 ounces each
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika for the blackened spice blend
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp flour helps the spice blend adhere
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
Mango Salsa
- 1 ripe mango peeled and cubed
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh blueberries optional — for added sweetness and color
- 1 red chili finely chopped, optional for heat
- ¼ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil for searing the fish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the smoked paprika, brown sugar, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Place the tilapia fillets on a plate and coat both sides evenly with the spice blend. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cubed mango, red bell pepper, red onion, blueberries (if using), red chili, cilantro, and lime juice. Gently mix the salsa ingredients and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the seasoned tilapia fillets to the hot pan.
- Cook the tilapia for about 2–3 minutes per side, until the spice coating is blackened and crispy and the fish is cooked through.
- Remove the fish from the pan and serve immediately, topped with generous spoonfuls of fresh mango salsa.
Notes
The blackening technique coats mild tilapia with a smoky, spicy seasoning and sears it over high heat for bold flavor. Mango salsa — made from ripe mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime, and optional berries or chili — adds freshness and brightness to the dish. Serve with rice, potatoes, or greens for a complete meal. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}