Deep-Fried Ethiopian Fish with Berbere Dipping Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Crisp fried white fish fillets served alongside a spicy berbere-seasoned dipping sauce for a bold flavor contrast. This Ethiopian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs white fish fillets (tilapia or cod), all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 400 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb white fish fillets (tilapia or cod)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 cups vegetable oil
1 tbsp berbere spice blend
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 minced garlic clove

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Instructions

Step 1: Rinse and pat dry 1 lb white fish fillets, then cut into 3-inch pieces. In a shallow dish, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F. Dredge each fish piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
Step 3: Fry fish pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Step 4: For the dipping sauce, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp berbere spice blend, and 1 minced garlic clove until smooth and spicy.
Step 5: Serve the hot fried fish alongside the berbere dipping sauce for a flavorful appetizer or main dish.