Pan-Roasted Ethiopian-Inspired Tilapia with Garlic and Berbere

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

Tender tilapia fillets pan-roasted with garlic and a fragrant berbere spice rub, finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon. This Ethiopian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs tilapia fillets, berbere spice mix, garlic cloves 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

• 4 fillets (about 6 oz each) tilapia fillets
• 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 tilapia fillets and season both sides with 2 tbsp berbere spice mix, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Carefully place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side until the edges are opaque and slightly crispy.
4. Step 4: Flip the fillets gently and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.