Chili Lime Tilapia (Freezer Meal)

This make-ahead seafood recipe has delicious flavors. It can be made with cod, snapper, or tilapia fish. This healthy meal takes just minutes to assemble and cook but tastes as if you worked in the kitchen for hours.

When people think of freezer meals, they usually picture stews or soups, but there are so many other possibilities. Seafood dishes such as dill salmon, seafood curry, garlic butter shrimp, or breaded shrimp in the Instant Pot can also be made ahead.

Chili Lime Tilapia Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. tilapia filets (you can substitute cod or snapper if you prefer)
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 tsp. seasoning salt

Assembly instructions:

1. Place 1 lb. of fish in a large resealable freezer bag.
2. Combine the other ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the fish.
3. Remove the excess air from the bag, seal, and freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:

1. Thaw. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Place foil on a baking tray. Place the fish and sauce on the foil and create a foil packet, sealing well.
3. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

BBQ cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.
2. Preheat the BBQ to medium-high heat. Make a foil packet with the fish and sauce inside.
3. Place foil packet on the grill for 4 minutes per side until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

What do I serve with fish?

Side dishes are always a bit of a challenge to come up with on the fly. Personally, I especially like to have some make-ahead side dishes in the freezer so that I can pull them out when needed. Here are some ideas of what pairs well with the tilapia:

• buffalo ranch cauliflower and broccoli
• rice
• maple glazed carrots
• roasted baby potatoes
• seasoned wild rice 
• collard greens
• Mexican Fried Rice
• Cauliflower Bake
• Mushroom Risotto
• multigrain bread, sliced thick
• Rice Pilaf
• green salad

Print

Chili Lime Tilapia

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Keyword: chili lime, fish

Servings: 4

Calories: 172 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 lb. tilapia filets you can substitute cod or snapper if you prefer
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 tsp. seasoning salt

For the day of cooking:

• aluminum foil

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. Place 1 lb. of fish in a large resealable freezer bag.

2. Combine the other ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the fish.

3. Remove the excess air from the bag, seal, and freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:

1. Thaw. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Place foil on a baking tray. Place the fish and sauce on the foil and create a foil packet, sealing well.

3. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

BBQ cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.

2. Preheat the BBQ to medium-high heat. Make a foil packet with the fish and sauce inside.

3. Place foil packet on the grill for 4 minutes per side until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

You may also be interested in these other seafood freezer meals:

Make-Ahead Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Maple Dijon Salmon

Tequila Lime Shrimp