Pan-Fried Berbere-Spiced Fish Tibs with Fresh Lime

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

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 developed and reviewed.

Tender fish chunks marinated and pan-fried in a spicy berbere blend, brightened with fresh lime juice for a street food favorite from Ethiopia. This Ethiopian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 33 minutes, pairs white fish fillets (tilapia or cod), berbere spice blend, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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: 25 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes white fish fillets (tilapia or cod)
2 tbsp berbere spice blend
2, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb cubed white fish fillets with 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly and marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Add the marinated fish cubes in a single layer, cooking without stirring for 3 minutes until the edges begin to crisp.
Step 4: Gently turn the fish pieces over and cook for another 3-4 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lime juice over the fish. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and toss gently to combine.
Step 6: Serve immediately with injera or warm flatbread as a flavorful street-style dish.