Pan-Fried Tilapia with Tomato and Calamansi Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

Crispy pan-fried tilapia served with a tangy and bright tomato and calamansi citrus sauce, highlighting Filipino coastal flavors. This Filipino-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs whole tilapia, cleaned and scaled, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 1.5 pounds whole tilapia, cleaned and scaled
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 3 tbsp calamansi juice (or substitute lime juice)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1.5 pounds whole tilapia and pat dry. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the tilapia in the skillet and fry for 5-6 minutes on each side until the skin is crispy and the flesh is opaque.
3. Step 3: Remove the fish and set aside on a serving plate. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped small onion; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4. Step 4: Add 2 diced medium tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften and sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tablespoons calamansi juice, adjust seasoning with salt to taste, and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Pour the tomato and calamansi sauce over the fried tilapia, garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve immediately with steamed rice.