EASY Tender and Flakey Grilled Tilapia Recipe

This grilled tilapia recipe is absolutely jam-packed with flavor. It combines fresh tilapia filets with olive oil and just a few simple seasonings to create one of the best fish recipes you'll ever make. But this tilapia recipe isn't just delicious, it's also incredibly easy to make. In fact, you can have it cooked and on the table in as little as 15 minutes.

The Best Grilled Tilapia

If you're looking for a delicious and easy fish recipe you can make in just minutes, look no further than this grilled tilapia recipe! 

Seriously, I think this is by far the best way to cook tilapia. The process of making it is just so simple, and it really turns out perfect every single time. The tilapia is coated in smoky spices, and it has a perfectly flakey texture with a slight char on the outside that'll just keep you coming back for more.

And, as I mentioned, it's super easy to make too. You basically just have to combine the spices in a bowl, season the tilapia with 'em, and then grill the tilapia for a few minutes on each side.

Yep, that's all there is to it.

By the way, if you're wondering what to eat with tilapia, I've got you covered. A few of my favorite recipes to pair with this mild white fish are these sauteed shiitake mushrooms, this sauteed broccoli recipe, this sauteed eggplant recipe, or these air fryer sweet potato fries. But honestly, the flavor is so versatile that anything you serve with this grilled tilapia will be delicious.

Ingredients

Another reason I love this grilled tilapia recipe is all the ingredients are common pantry staples you likely have at home already. That means the only thing you'll have to grab from the store are the tilapia fillets. 

Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make it:

• 2 6oz. tilapia fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Simple stuff, right? 

Now, I always make this grilled tilapia recipe with the spice blend I mentioned above. But tilapia is a super versatile fish, so there's plenty of wiggle room to switch things up and use what you have on hand.

So, with that in mind, I think some lemon pepper seasoning or cajun seasoning are some of the best pairings with this flaky white fish. The lemon pepper seasoning will give it a bright flavor with a little kick, and the cajun seasoning will enhance the smoky flavors from the grill. You really can't go wrong with either of these options.

By the way, if you have to pick up some tilapia from the store, make sure to grab extra fillets so you can make this air fryer tilapia recipe next. It's another really tasty tilapia recipe, so you'll definitely want to give it a try sometime.

How To Grill Tilapia

Now it's time to get into the good stuff and grill up some flaky and flavorful tilapia.

And again, I can't stress enough how easy this grilled fish recipe is to make. Honestly, even if you've never grilled tilapia before, the results will have you feeling like a pro.

Anyway, with all that said, let's get cooking!

Step 1: Season The Tilapia

First, you'll want to preheat your grill to 400°F. If you don't have an outdoor grill, you can always use a grill pan and set it over medium heat on your stovetop.

Then, if you haven't done so already, you'll want to let your tilapia filets come to room temperature or as close to room temperature as possible. Next, you can brush them on both sides with olive oil, then combine your spices in a small bowl and sprinkle them evenly over both of your tilapia filets.

Step 2: Grill The Tilapia

Now that the tilapia is good to go, you can toss your seasoned tilapia on the grill - or grill pan - and let it cook on one side for about 4 minutes.

Then, you'll want to give it a flip and cook the tilapia on the other side for another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the tilapia reaches 145°F.

Step 3: Rest and Serve

Once your grilled tilapia reaches an internal temp of 145°F, you can transfer it to a plate - or cutting board - and let it rest for around 5 minutes. Then, after you give it a chance to rest, you can squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top of it and serve it with any of your favorite sides.

Enjoy!

How To Store Cooked Tilapia

This recipe for grilled tilapia makes enough for 2 servings, but it can easily be doubled or tripled! If you're lucky you might even end up with some leftovers.

Speaking of leftovers, if you do end up with some, you can store your cooked tilapia in a shallow airtight container - or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in a sealable bag - and it'll last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. 

With that said, if you want to store it for even longer, you can keep your leftover tilapia wrapped in plastic wrap in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, and it'll last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Reheat Tilapia

When you're ready to enjoy your grilled tilapia again, you can either eat it cold or reheat it. I think it's best served warm, but sometimes I'll eat it cold in a salad.

Anyway, the best way to reheat your tilapia is in the oven. Just heat your oven to around 300°F, put the tilapia on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet, and reheat it for around 10-15 minutes or until it's completely warmed through.

However, you can also warm it up in a pan set over medium heat. Just coat the pan with a little oil before adding your cooked tilapia filet to it, then you can reheat it from there.

Lastly, to heat it up even faster, you can use your microwave. Just cook the filet in 30-second increments until it reaches your desired temp.

FAQs About This Grilled Tilapia Recipe

How healthy is grilled tilapia?

Tilapia is a great source of lean protein, and it's packed with vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, selenium, and potassium. It also contains more omega 3-fatty acids - which are good for your brain - than beef, pork, chicken, and turkey, making it a healthier choice.

How do you grill tilapia without it sticking?

You can prevent your tilapia from sticking to your grill by making sure:

1. You preheat the grill to 400°F.
2. Your grill grates are well-cleaned before adding the tilapia to them.
3. The grates are well oiled before you add the fish.
4. You don't flip your tilapia too soon when cooking it.
5. You use a fish spatula instead of tongs to flip it.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make grilled tilapia in under 15 minutes!

I've made my fair share of tilapia recipes before, but this grilled tilapia is definitely one of my favorites. I mean, cooking tilapia on the grill just gives it the tastiest smoky flavor and also an amazingly flaky texture that you just can't get cooking it any other way.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this easy tilapia recipe as much as my family and I do. As always, if you try it, be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below. 

More Easy Fish Recipes

If you're looking for more easy fish recipes to make, I have a ton on the blog that you can try out next!

Check all of these out:

• Grilled halibut
• Pan seared salmon
• Blackened salmon
• Pan seared halibut
• Lemon garlic butter mahi mahi
• Air fryer tilapia

Also, for more delicious recipes, don't forget to follow my Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube channel! I post new ones on them every day.

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