Veracruz Style Tilapia

Tilapia fish is baked in a traditional veracruz-style sauce filled with capers, olives and lime juice. A fast, fresh and healthy weeknight dinner idea.

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

White Fish Veracruz - The Lemon Bowl

Tilapia fish is baked in a traditional veracruz-style sauce filled with capers, olives and lime juice. A fast, fresh and healthy weeknight dinner idea.

White Fish Veracruz - The Lemon Bowl

In this Post: Everything you need for Veracruz Style Tilapia

We grew up eating fish quite regularly and I’m so glad we did because it’s healthy, quick-cooking and extremely versatile. As you may have read, my dad went to college in Mexico and I was born in Tucson, close to the Mexican border, so I’ve been exposed to authentic Mexican food my entire life.

Veracruz Mexico Map

This 5-Ingredient Veracruz-Style White Fish is inspired by a dish my mom would serve for dinner on a regular basis growing up. Veracruz sauce originates from Veracruz, Mexico and is traditionally made by sautéing onions and garlic with chilis, tomatoes, capers, olives and lime juice.

Sabra Homestyle Salsa

What was already a fairly simple recipe gets even easier with the help of Sabra’s Homestyle Salsa made with tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.

Olive Caper Salsa

To create the Veracruz sauce, I just tossed in the capers, olives and plenty of fresh lime juice.

Veracruz White Fish - The Lemon Bowl

We used wild caught American cod because it was on sale and fresh but use whatever white fish looks best at your seafood counter. My mom loves using snapper but tilapia or halibut would both work as well.

White Fish Veracruz - The Lemon Bowl

This protein-packed dinner is not only bursting with fresh flavors but it is naturally gluten free and ready to serve in under 30 minutes. No passports required.

Your fork is waiting.

White Fish Veracruz - The Lemon Bowl

Veracruz Style Tilapia

4.34 stars average
Tilapia fish is baked in a traditional veracruz-style sauce filled with capers, olives and lime juice. A fast, fresh and healthy weeknight dinner idea.
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 20 minutes
TOTAL: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
 

  • 4 six-ounce white fish filets ((i.e. cod, tilapia, snapper, etc.))
  • 16 ounce container Sabra Homestyle Salsa (mild or medium)
  • ¼ cup green olives (sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons capers (drained)
  • 1 juice of lime
  • cilantro and lime wedges (optional garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray and place fish filets in a single layer.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together veracruz sauce: Sabra Homestyle Salsa, green olives, capers and lime juice.
  • Pour sauce over fish filets and bake uncovered until fish is white and flakey – 15-20 minutes.
  • Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 9.3gProtein: 30.6gFat: 2.4gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.2gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 1131mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 4.3g

38 thoughts on “Veracruz Style Tilapia”

  1. I’m making this tonight, because it sounds so quick, easy, and healthy! Just curious about the photo of it in the cast iron skillet, while the directions call for a 9 x 13 glass dish. Have you tried the skillet and would any changes need to be made?

    1. Sorry for the confusion Nancy! I tried the recipe two ways- pan searing in the skillet and baking in the oven but I wouldn’t suggest pan searing first. I decided to photograph it in the cast iron for the beauty of the skillet (and you can certainly bake it in the skillet since it’s oven-safe) but I didn’t feel pan searing enhanced the flavor enough to warrant the time and added calories.

      1. Thanks Liz! It was delicious in the baking dish, and the clean up was so easy! My husband who does not crave fish, said it was very tasty! Since I only purchased four tilapia filets for the two of us, I had sauce leftover. I think I’ll try it with some tuna for lunch! The olives and capers add wonderful flavor! :)

  2. I’m not always a huge fish lover, but I could totally get behind this. I love Sabra’s salsa, I love olives and capers, and I love easy dinners. Win!

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