When Mexican food comes to mind, the first thing you probably think of are tacos, delicious tacos. But don’t limit your palate to Tex-Mex! Mexican culture and cuisine also has some incredible recipes for roasts, salads, stews and most importantly, seafood dishes. We’ve rounded up four great Tilapia recipes that will introduce your palate to the complex and vibrant flavors of Mexican food, all from the comfort of your own home. For the best flavor, we prefer Fresh Tilapia from Mexico or Honduras. Frozen Tilapia Loins from Costco are also a good choice.

Mexican Fish Stew

Photo Credit: Food Network

This delicious stew recipe by the Food Network combines a blend of spices that is sure to satisfy your craving for Mexican food and then some. With its rich blend of garlic, chile powder, onion and cilantro, this stew will have your dinner guests yelling, “Uno mas!”

Ingredients:

• 4 6-ounce Tilapia fillets, each cut into 4 pieces

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 3 limes (2 juiced, 1 cut into wedges)

• 1/2 pound new potatoes, thickly sliced

• 4 small pieces frozen corn on the cob

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ancho or New Mexico chile powder

• 1 bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems coarsely chopped

• 1 15-ounce can no-salt-added, diced fire-roasted tomatoes

Instructions:

1. In a shallow dish, add the Tilapia, season with salt and pepper and toss in lime juice. Set aside.

2. In a sauce pan, cover potatoes with water, add salt and bring it to a boil. Add corn and let it cook for 8 minutes uncovered. Keep 1 cup of the water aside and drain the rest.

3. In another large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Reserve 1/3 of the onion and throw in the rest along with the thyme. Cook for about 2 minutes (or until soft).

4. Add the chile powder, garlic, half of the cilantro and cook for another 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook for another 4 minutes.

5. Toss in the potatoes, corn and the cooking water from before.

6. Add the fish mixture to the skillet. Let it simmer as you spoon sauce over the fish for about 5 minutes. This will allow the fish to cook all the way through with tons of flavour on the inside and out. Season with salt and pepper and add the remainder of the onion and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Spicy Mexican Tilapia Bowl

Photo Credit: The Best Blog Recipes

This Spicy Mexican Tilapia Bowl by The Best Blog Recipes will have you waving bye-bye to taco shells once and for all. There are a few different components to this recipe, each as easy to make as the next. Mix them together and see how the melody of herbs and spices lights up your tastebuds with savory, authentic flavors. For best flavor, we prefer Fresh Tilapia from Mexico or Honduras, frozen Costco Tilapia Loins are also a good choice.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tilapia Filets

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tablespoon cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon mexican chipotle chili powder

• 1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped

• 1/2 can of Rotel tomatoes

• 1 15.25-oz can of sweet corn

• 1 15-oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 avocado, cut in small pieces

• 2 cups basamati rice

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 teaspoon organic chicken “Better Than Bouillon” or chicken bouillon cubes

• 1/4 cup ranch dressing

• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, add basmati rice, 2 table spoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of bouillon. Cook over medium heat until the rice is lightly browned.

2. Stir in chicken stock. Bring it to a boil then reduce to heat to allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes. After the time is up, turn the heat off completely and fluff the mixture with a fork.

3. For the mixture, toss together all the spices in a bowl and make sure they are mixed well. Pat Tilapia dry then cover with the mixture.

4. Heat oil in a medium skillet and cook Tilapia for 3-4 minutes on each side. The fillet should be opaque in the middle and should flake easily. Remove the Tilapia from the skillet and break it apart. Set aside.

5. Add pepper, corn, onion and garlic powder to the fish and cook until the onion is soft (4 minutes).

6. Add beans and Rotel tomatoes and stir. Gradually add the shredded Tilapia.

7. Mix together 1/4 cup of your favorite ranch dressing with a 1/4 cup of sour cream.

8. In a bowl, combine the rice, top with Tilapia, garnish with avocado and drizzle over some dressing. Serve.

Mexican Baked Tilapia

Photo Credit: Chowhound

Chowhound’s Mexican Baked Tilapia recipe is perfect for nights at home with the whole family. Reminiscent of lasagna, this traditional dish combines authentic spices with just enough heat to keep your guests asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt

• 2 limes

• 1½ pounds Tilapia fillets, about 4 to 6 fillets

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices

• 1/2 cup pitted green olives, roughly chopped

• 1 heaping tablespoon capers

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a baking dish, set Tilapia fillets so they are slightly overlapping. Season with salt and the juice of 1/2 of a lime.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

3. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook the onions and bell peppers for about 10 minutes. The onions should be golden and soft.

4. Add capers, olives, salt and pepper. Let the mix simmer for 10 minutes and add the juice from 1/2 of a lime.

5. Pour the mixture evenly over the Tilapia and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillet. You want to to bake until everything is just cooked.

6. Sprinkle some cilantro over top and serve with some lime wedges.

Tilapia Tostada

Photo Credit: Katie Inglis

Of course, we have to include this classic Mexican dish. This Tilapia Tostada recipe by What’s Cooking, Mexico? is light enough to enjoy on the go, but flavourful enough to leave you completely satisfied. It’s a mild blend that’s family friendly, perfect for a fun Friday night with the kids.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Tilapia fillets, rinsed and patted dry

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped (keep the veins and seeds for more heat)

• 2 cups diced tomatoes

• Bunch of fresh parsley, chopped

• 2-3 tablespoons lime juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 12 tostadas

Instructions:

1. Heat up some oil in a skillet. Saute onion until it becomes soft and translucent then add garlic and mix well.

2. Place Tilapia fillets into the skillet and cook until the center is opaque and it begins to flake easily. Add pepper, parsley, tomato and lime juice. Cook the mixture for roughly 7 minutes over medium-high heat. Note: You’ll be breaking apart the Tilapia as you cook the other ingredients.

3. Season to taste and serve on top of the tostadas with a slice of avocado.

By using a mild and versatile fish like Tilapia, you can easily get creative with a variety of spices and flavors. We hope that these four recipes take your tastebuds on a trip and inspire you to try more Mexican seafood dishes.

Feature image: Katie Inglis