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Blackened Tilapia Tacos

Delicious and healthy tacos made with blackened tilapia, topped with creamy avocado sauce and fresh vegetables, perfect for meal prep or family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 tacos
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Healthy, Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the blackened tilapia
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) add for extra heat
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 fillets tilapia pat dry before seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided) 1 for fish, 1 for sauce
For the avocado cilantro sauce
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves plus 1/4 cup chopped for tacos
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
For assembling tacos
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 1/4 cup diced white or yellow onion
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Jalapeno slices optional, for serving

Method
 

Preparing the Tilapia
  1. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper together.
  2. Pat the tilapia fillets dry. Coat the fillets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the fish.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Remove the tilapia from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. Once rested, break the fish into chunks.
Making the Avocado Cilantro Sauce
  1. In a blender, combine the avocado, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and salt. Blend until smooth. If you want a thinner consistency, add water a little at a time until you reach your desired texture.
Assembling the Tacos
  1. Take a tortilla and layer it with shredded cabbage, chunks of the blackened tilapia, a drizzle of the avocado sauce, diced onion, and chopped cilantro.
  2. Serve your tacos with lime wedges and jalapeno slices, if desired, to add a zesty kick.

Notes

To store any leftovers, keep the components separate. The cooked tilapia can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It’s not advisable to freeze the prepared tacos as the fresh vegetables may lose their crunch upon thawing.