Banana Leaf-Wrapped Tropical Fish Parcels

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-31 · Updated 2026-07-31

Tender white fish marinated in lime and chili, steamed in banana leaves with tropical herbs for moist, fragrant fillets. This Caribbean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs lime juice, red chili, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb white fish fillets (such as snapper or cod)
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 1 small red chili, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 4 large sheets banana leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 finely chopped small red chili, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
2. Step 2: Place 1 lb white fish fillets into a dish and pour the marinade over them, coating evenly. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. Step 3: Cut 4 large banana leaves into roughly 12x12 inch squares and lightly brush each with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Place each marinated fish fillet in the center of a banana leaf square, spoon some marinade over the top, then fold the leaf into a secure parcel, using toothpicks if needed.
5. Step 5: Set up a steamer over boiling water and steam the parcels for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
6. Step 6: Carefully unwrap the parcels and serve immediately with steamed rice or tropical salad for a fragrant, moist dish.