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.
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.
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.
What was already a fairly simple recipe gets even easier with the help of Sabra’s Homestyle Salsa made with tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.
To create the Veracruz sauce, I just tossed in the capers, olives and plenty of fresh lime juice.
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.
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.
Veracruz Style Tilapia
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.
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?
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.
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! :)
Oh I’m so glad he enjoyed it!!!! Thanks for checking back in to tell me!
This dish is crazy easy! I love how you used Sabra salsa in this dish. I think I might get over my fear of fish to eat this dish :)
FEAR OF FISH?? Girl you must try this!! It would be good with chicken too though. ;)
Beautiful Liz! I love Sabras salsas for this exact reason. A perfect piece of fish, salsa, and you have a healthy meal in minutes. Yum!
Yes exactly!! Not much is needed for good food! Happy New Year Fabiola!
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!
I will say – I’m pretty sure this would be delicious with chicken too!
This just looks so delicious and so good for you, I can’t believe how easy it is!
I’m a huge fan of all things easy! Happy New Year Gaby!
Love this easy fish recipe–the flavors sound perfect.
SO simple and good!
I absolutely love fish but do not cook it often enough. That is going to change in 2015!
I have been trying to make it more – I am with you, more fish in 2015!
This looks wonderful Liz! We would love to eat more fish, but I struggle with recipes for it. This is perfect!
~Liz@HoosierHomemade
This is such an easy, good one Liz! Happy New Year to your family!
I love super colorful and flavorful dishes like this one. Especially when they are only 5 ingredients!!!
YES!! I’m all for 5 ingredient anything!!
Yummm I’m on a fish kick right now this will work perfectly!
Me too!! I crave it all the time!!
This is my kind of dinner! I need to find some halibut and make this soon!
Halibut is one of my all time favorites!
I love cooking fish because it is always a quick and easy dish full of flavor! The Sabra salsa is the perfect addition!
I always forget just how easy it is!! Thanks so much Ashley!
Yummy and healthy! Score!!
I hope you had a great Christmas Sommer!!
I’m totally in! This looks fab! Pinned!
Thank you Tori!! Happy Holidays!
We love fish and this is such an EASY weeknight dinner for our family. LOOKS AMAZING!
I couldn’t believe how easy it was – I need to make it more often! :)