Spicy Grilled Tilapia Fish

This Spicy Grilled Tilapia Fish is filled with flavor! It includes tomatoes, red bell peppers, onions and scotch bonnets. Serve as a side with rice.

I am so excited to share this delicious side! This fish is filled with fresh flavors and ingredients, making it a fishy, savory delight!

This dish is very popular in Africa. However, the tilapia is usually fried. In this recipe, we took a healthier approach and grilled the tilapia in an oven instead.

This dish can be served in different ways. It can be served as a starter/appetizer with dundun and plantain. It can also be served as the main protein with Nigerian jollof rice, Chicken Gizzard Recipe, Spicy Grilled Suya Chicken, Nigerian fried rice, asaro (yam porridge) or white rice. Finally, for a healthy alternative serve this spicy tilapia with vegetables.

Why This Recipe Works

• This grilled fish is rich in flavor from the tomato sauce, onions and red capsicum peppers.
• It can be served with Easy Coconut Jollof Rice, Coconut Fried Rice with Shrimp, or One-Pot Nigerian Fried Rice.
• You can adjust this tasty dish to suit your taste by adding more or less of each ingredient. For example, add more habaneros for a spicier dish.
• Double or triple the recipe to feed more people.

Spicy Grilled Tilapia Fish Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Tilapia fish is the star of this recipe. Make sure you clean the fish well before you start cooking it.
• Blended tomato mix: The spicy tilapia recipe has a tomato base. It includes 1 can of plum tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers and scotch bonnets. To make this base use a blender and make sure that the mixture is not smooth.
• Maggi: This is a popular chicken stock seasoning used in African cooking. There are different types, but my favorite is Knorr chicken stock seasoning. I added one cube to this recipe.
• Fresh Vegetables: In the last 10 minutes, add fresh, sliced onions and red bell peppers to this dish to add flavor!

Tips and Substitutions

• Cook: Traditionally, baked tilapia should be quite dry. However, if you prefer a moister fish, bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour instead.
• Scotch bonnet (habanero): You can alter the heat of this recipe by adding more or fewer scotch bonnets. For example, you could use 1 scotch bonnet to lower the heat.
• Fish: Additionally, you can substitute tilapia for different types of fish, such as croaker, red sea brim, and snapper.

How to Clean and Prepare Tilapia

You can use frozen or fresh tilapia. If you are using frozen tilapia, allow it to thaw or soak it in salty water for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you are in a hurry.

• It is important to clean the tilapia before cooking because if you don't, the fish will have a bitter taste. If you haven't already, start by descaling each fish. To descale a fish, drag a knife or spoon against the opposite direction of the scales. You can do this in a sink to prevent a mess.
• Next, use scissors to cut off the fins.
• Then, you must chop each tilapia into 4-5 pieces and remove any excess blood and guts from each piece. Rub salt on the inside and outside of each piece to clean it thoroughly and rinse with water. Next, you have the option to soak the tilapia pieces in water and add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar for 5 minutes. This will make the fish more tender and help it hold it's shape when the tilapia is cooked.
• If you are including the head of the tilapia, then you will need to do some deep cleaning! Dis-join underneath the mouth of the fish and remove the gill. Then, follow the previous steps used to clean each tilapia piece.
• Finally, add the tilapia pieces to a bowl and season with salt to taste. Then, leave tilapia pieces to marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.

How to Make Spicy Grilled Tilapia Fish

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan/180°C/ Gas 6/400°F. Lightly grease a baking tray with vegetable or sunflower oil. Add the tilapia pieces to the tray and drizzle oil on top of each piece. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until dry and brown.
2. Meanwhile, add plummed tomato, chopped onion, scotch bonnets, red bell peppers, and pulse for 2-3 times. The consistency should not be smooth.
3. Once the fish is ready, remove it from the oven and set it aside. Then, heat vegetable oil in a pan, add half of a sliced onion, pour in the tomato mixture, and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium heat.
4. Next, season the sauce with a Knorr chicken stock seasoning cube, salt to taste, and tomato puree (optional), and stir. Then, cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
5. Then, add the grilled tilapia pieces to the sauce and cover each piece with the tomato sauce. Cook for another 10 minutes.
6. Finally, add ½ of a thinly sliced onion and thinly sliced red bell pepper and leave to simmer for 5-7 minutes. Garnish with fresh green herbs of your choice and enjoy!

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