Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives
A fragrant Moroccan-inspired fish tagine bursting with preserved lemon, green olives, and warm spices. This middle eastern-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, medium onion, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb firm white fish fillets (e.g., cod or halibut)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 preserved lemon, pulp removed and rind thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup green olives, pitted
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or tagine pot over medium heat. Add 1 thinly sliced medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika. Stir and cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup pitted green olives and rind slices from 1 preserved lemon. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
- Step 5: Nestle 1 lb firm white fish fillets into the sauce, cover, and cook gently for 8-10 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the top, and serve with couscous or crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Strait of Hormuz Spiced Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
Middle Eastern seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Served with couscous for a stunning Sunday meal—everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my weeknight dinners. The spices were aromatic without being overwhelming.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this tagine! The preserved lemon cut through the richness perfectly.
