Blackened Tilapia with Red Beans and Lemon Rice

Get ready for a flavor-packed dinner that brings the spirit of New Orleans to your kitchen. This blackened tilapia is seasoned with a bold spice blend and pan-seared until perfectly charred, then served over a bed of fluffy lemon-scented rice and smoky red beans. A drizzle of spicy crema ties it all together, with extra hot sauce on the side for those who like it hot.

This dish is not only delicious but also high in protein and fiber, making it a satisfying meal any night of the week. The combination of tender fish, creamy beans and bright citrus rice creates a balanced plate that’s sure to impress.

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Ingredients

1 unit Green Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Veggie Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Kidney BeansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.75 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

11 ounce TilapiaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Smoked PaprikaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Blackening SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry produce. Core, deseed and finely dice bell pepper. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic. Zest and quarter lemon. Drain and rinse beans.
2. In a small pot, combine rice, 1¼ cups water and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and scallion whites; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
4. Stir beans, stock concentrate, paprika, ¼ cup water and a big pinch of salt and pepper into pot with veggies. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook until thickened, 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat; stir in 1 TBSP butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
5. Meanwhile, pat tilapia dry with paper towels; season all over with salt and pepper. Rub both sides of each fillet with Blackening Spice. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium-high heat. Add tilapia and cook until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side.
6. In a small bowl, combine sour cream with hot sauce to taste. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Season crema with salt and pepper. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in lemon zest and 1 TBSP butter. Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice, beans and tilapia between plates. Top tilapia with crema and scallion greens. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes, you can substitute tilapia with other firm white fish like cod, halibut or catfish. Adjust cooking time as needed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover rice, beans and fish separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the fish.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your blackening spice blend and hot sauce are certified gluten-free if needed.