You're going to love this easy recipe that shows you how to grill tilapia on the stove! It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a quick, healthy dinner.
If you don't have a grill or would prefer to cook indoors, you can still get the signature grill lines and light char while cooking fish on the stovetop.
This step-by-step recipe will show you how to make some delicious tilapia!
Why You'll Love Stovetop Grilled Tilapia
Tilapia is an easy white fish to cook, it's tender, has a mild flavor, and is not overly fishy - making it a fish the whole family will love.
This is the best tilapia recipe for folks looking for a quick, healthy meal. It's super simple to season this fish and it cooks in just a few minutes. Tilapia is also an inexpensive cut of fish that's readily available in most grocery stores.
The smoky flavor of the paprika and other aromatics elevate this simple fish recipe. You'll love how tasty it is!
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Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this easy dinner.
- Tilapia fillets
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Fresh parsley
- Lime juice or lemon juice
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Pat the tilapia dry with some paper towels. Brush both sides of the fillets with half the olive oil.
In a small bowl, mix together the spices. Season both sides of the tilapia with the spice blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Heat a grill pan (or cast iron skillet) over medium-high heat.
Brush the remaining olive oil over the grates of the grill pan - making sure to coat the ridges and the indentations.
Once the grill pan is very hot, carefully lay the tilapia fillets in the pan.
Allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes until you see the edges turning white.
Using a fish spatula or other large spatula, carefully flip the fillets over to cook on the opposite side for an additional 2 to 4 minutes or until the tilapia flakes apart.
White fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
Remove the tilapia from the pan using a fish spatula. Top each fish fillet with chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
More Great Fish Recipes
If you like this easy fish recipe, try some of our other favorites!
- Baked Sockeye Salmon in Foil - a tender salmon recipe baked in a foil packet.
- Crispy Baked Haddock - a fantastic crispy white fish with panko and parmesan cheese - it's the best way to bake fish.
- Mediterranean Salmon Recipe - an easy baking sheet meal with salmon, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Substitutions & Variations
If you know how to make the recipe fit a certain diet, let the reader know here. Don't fake it - only provide guidance on topics you have actual experience with.
What to Serve with Tilapia
Check out our full post on side dishes for tilapia - here are some of our favorites.
- Roasted Patty Pan Squash with Parmesan
- Asian Style Green Beans
- Sautéed Swiss Chard
- Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- Roasted Golden Beets
Storage
This fish recipe will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
I recommend reheating it on the stovetop and not in the microwave.
You can freeze leftover tilapia for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Tips for Making this Recipe
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Cooking Tips - Try to be very careful flipping the tilapia. It gets quite flaky when it cooks, so to keep it in one piece, you may want to use a large fish spatula.
Recommended Tools - For the best results when cooking fish, I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer. This will keep you from overcooking your fish.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Connect with us on Instagram and share your photos or leave us a rating.
How to Grill Tilapia on the Stove
This fantastic simple recipe for grilled tilapia on the stovetop is ready in just a few minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- squeeze of lime juice
Instructions
- Pat the tilapia dry with some paper towels. Brush both sides of the fillets with half the olive oil.
- Season both sides of the tilapia with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Heat a grill pan (or cast iron skillet) over medium-high heat.
- Brush the remaining olive oil over the grates of the grill pan - making sure to coat the ridges and the indentations.
- Once the grill pan is very hot, carefully lay the tilapia fillets in the pan.
- Allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes until you see the edges turning white.
- Using a fish spatula or other large spatula, carefully flip the fillets over to cook on the opposite side for an additional 2 to 4 minutes or until the tilapia flakes apart.
- The fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the tilapia from the pan using a fish spatula. Top with chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 413mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 45g