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.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the tilapia fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if necessary.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Serve the cooked tilapia fillets over a bed of cooked white rice. Top with spoonfuls of the mango-avocado salsa.

Step 8

Garnish with the remaining chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Step 9

Enjoy this tropical and vibrant Costa Rican-inspired meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1349.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1710.0

Total Fat 70.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 228mg	0%
Sodium 3410.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 159.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.3g	0%
Total Sugars 34.2g
Protein 120.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 200.9mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 3304.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.2%

Protein: 27.5%

Carbs: 36.3%