Tilapia with Black Bean Garlic Sauce

Tilapia with Black Bean Garlic Sauce is quick and easy to make yet delivers big, bold flavors. You'll love the moist fish and the spicy, garlicky sauce over steamed rice!

If you are looking for a recipe that's easy to prep yet big on taste, this tilapia with black bean garlic sauce brings it on. It's ready in thirty minutes, and with just a handful of ingredients, you won't believe the unique flavor you get in every bite.

The fish fillets are moist and tender, and the black bean garlic sauce is bold and spicy—it's like an adventure for the tastebuds!

Want more spicy seafood recipes? Some of our favorites are Sriracha Shrimp Scampi, Spicy Tahong, and Bangus Sisig.

Ingredient list

• Tilapia- You can also use other meaty fish fillets such as bangus, halibut, cod, or red snapper. If you prefer bone-in, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Salt and pepper- season the fish before frying.
• Oil- Use a high-smoke-point oil, such as canola, safflower, or corn oil, to sear the tilapia properly on high heat.
• Salted black soybeans- The recipe calls for fermented black beans or tausi (douchi). Drain, rinse, and drain well to remove the brine taste.
• Chili garlic sauce- I used Lee Kum Kee brand; swap with Sriracha sauce if unavailable.
• Soy Sauce- to add umami flavor

Cooking instructions

1. Pan-fry fish fillets. Heat canola oil in a wide pan and add fish in a single layer. Sear for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
2. Make sauce. Remove excess oil from the pan and wipe down. Add water, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and black beans. Stir until well-dispersed and bring to a boil.
3. Arrange fish in a single layer in a baking dish, top with spicy black bean sauce, and cover with foil.
4. Bake in the oven until fish flakes easily with a fork and sauce is reduced.

I like to finish off the tilapia fillets in the oven, but you can cook them all the way through on the stove. Just add the seared fish to the pan of black bean sauce, cover, and simmer until fish easily flakes with a fork.

How to serve and store

• This spicy tilapia with black beans and garlic sauce is delicious as a main dish for lunch or dinner. Serve it with piping hot steamed or coconut rice for a hearty, full-flavored meal.
• To store leftovers, allow them to cool completely and transfer them to airtight containers. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, warm in the microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals until heated.