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Home » Recipes

Super Simple Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk

Jun 15, 2020Last Modified: September 16, 2022

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about delicious Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk!

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk
Jump to:
  • What Ingredients Are Needed To Make This Fish Curry?
  • Simple, Quick and Easy Prep!
  • The Easy Method To Cook This Dish
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How To Serve This Delicious Tilapia
  • Here Are Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!
  • Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk

I love fish recipes that are easy, quick, delicious and budget friendly. Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk checks every one of those boxes!

Fish really is the original fast food. The tilapia, mainly a freshwater fish, cooks really quickly. However, I like to let it simmer awhile so that the flavors can infuse for a more delicious meal!

This Indian recipe uses simple ingredients, and makes for a delicious (and low carb) main course! And as mentioned, it is super simple to make!

What Ingredients Are Needed To Make This Fish Curry?

Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk

Minimal ingredients are needed to make delicious Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk!

All you will need is:

  • Olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • Tilapia fillets
  • Chilis (I used Thai chilis - omit if you prefer a mild dish)
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Onion
  • Your favorite Indian curry ground paste! I used Patak's Vindaloo Curry Paste, but you can use whatever you prefer!
  • Coconut milk
  • Lemon juice (can sub lime juice)
  • Salt to taste

The Patak's Vindaloo Curry Paste contains a spicy concentrated blend of turmeric powder, paprika powder, cumin and ground red pepper.

I have included links to the Curry Paste and coconut milk for convenience if you are interested in purchasing on Amazon.

Patak's Vindaloo Curry Paste
I used this curry paste but you can use whatever curry paste you fancy!

Simple, Quick and Easy Prep!

Prepping for this tilapia recipe couldn't be simpler! You will need to slice an onion, and mince the garlic, ginger and chilis (if using). I love using a small food processor to make easy work of mincing the garlic and ginger. However you can mince by hand if you like.

minced chili, garlic, ginger, and curry paste in a yellow bowl

Simply combine in a small bowl some curry paste with your minced garlic, ginger, and chilis (if using). This will make a thick paste, but we will add some lemon juice to loosen it up. Then you have your paste ready to coat your fresh fish with!

paste for fish in a spoon with a yellow bowl in background
tilapia coated with paste

The Easy Method To Cook This Dish

Easy prep is followed by easy method! Indian cooking doesn't get much simpler than this!

Begin by heating a nonstick frying pan or cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Then simply fry the sliced onion in olive oil for a few minutes until golden brown and soft. You'll then add the fish fillets coated with the spice paste, and fry each side for a couple of minutes.

Be sure to pan fry the fish pieces in a single layer. If you can't fry them in a single layer then you will need to fry in batches.  

I used a very nicely seasoned cast iron skillet for this recipe. I do recommend that you use something similar to prevent the delicate fish sticking to the pan. You could also use a nonstick pan as well. 🙂

After frying the fish pieces, add the coconut milk and allow to simmer just under a medium heat for around 10 minutes or so, to allow the flavors to infuse. Then add salt to taste.

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk With Onions

The end result is some mighty tasty fish!

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute another fish for the tilapia?

Yes! Choose another firm and flaky white fish such as catfish or whiting!

Does tilapia have a fishy smell?

The fresh tilapia fish that you choose should smell fresh and not fishy. If the tilapia smells fishy, then it may be spoiled.

Can I use ginger garlic paste in this recipe?

Yes! Ginger garlic paste is used frequently in Indian cooking. If you have it, you can use ½ tablespoon - 1 tablespoon to sub for the 3 cloves of garlic and 1 inch of ginger.  

How To Serve This Delicious Tilapia

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk in a skillet

You will definitely want to put this splendid dish on your dinner menu rotation!

Suggested garnishes are red or green chilies, green onions, cilantro, and lemon slices.

I believe this dish is best served with basmati rice, the king of rices! Combine rice with the curry sauce and the taste is incredible!

For a complete meal, serve the fish and rice along with an incredible salad called Cachumber!

Here are two versions of Cachumber to choose from:

Cachumber
Version 1
Cachumber
Version 2

Click the links below the pictures for the Cachumber recipes, or click here!

This salad is the perfect side dish to this meal. 🙂 I hope you will try this luscious tilapia! So easy to make it's a great choice for a delicious weeknight meal!

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk

Here Are Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!

Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter chicken in a balti bowl with naan on a white plate

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani with chicken pieces, rice, onions, cilantro and tomatoes on a silver plate with a second plate of the same in the background

Please sign up to get the latest recipes and culinary inspiration! Also come along with me on the 1,000 Foods to Eat Journey by signing up here. 🙂

Cheers!

Grace

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk in a silver bowl garnished with cilantro, lemon slice, and green and red chilies

Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk

Grace
 Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk is easy, quick, delicious and budget friendly! It makes for the perfect luscious weeknight meal!
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 543 kcal

Equipment

  • Use a well seasoned cast iron skillet or a nonstick skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil can sub vegetable oil
  • 1 onion slice thinly
  • 2 tilapia fillets large (mine were around ¾ lb total weight)
  • 3 chilis I used Thai chilis, or omit for a mild dish
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch ginger peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoon Indian curry paste I used Vindaloo paste. You can use whatever paste you fancy!
  • 7 oz coconut milk I used ½ of a 14 oz can of coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice can sub lime juice
  • salt to taste

Optional Garnishes

  • coriander or green onions optional garnish
  • green or red chilies optional garnish
  • lemon slices

Instructions
 

  • Slice your onion thinly. Mince garlic, ginger, and chilis (if using) and place in a small bowl. Add the Indian curry paste and lemon juice and mix well. This will be the spice you use to coat the fish!
    minced chili, garlic, ginger, and curry paste in a yellow bowl
  • Now coat both sides of the fish with the spice paste.
    tilapia coated with paste
  • Heat your nonstick pan or cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Add the olive oil (or vegetable oil), and once hot add the sliced onion. Fry the onion for around 6 minutes, or until the onion is soft and browned. Move the onion to the side of the pan.
    onions around the side of a skillet
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add the fish (in a single layer) which has been coated with the spice paste to the center of the pan. Fry each side for 2 minutes. Then add the coconut milk.
    Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk With Onions
  • Allow to simmer at just under a medium heat for approximately 10 minutes. Add salt to taste, and then garnish with coriander.
    Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk

Notes

Be sure to pan fry the fish pieces in a single layer.  If you can't fry them in a single layer then you will need to fry in batches.  
If you have ginger garlic paste, you can use ½ tablespoon - 1 tablespoon to sub for the 3 cloves of garlic and 1 inch of ginger.  
Serve this delicious and delicate fish with basmati rice, and garnished with lots of coriander or green onions!  The rice tastes so amazing bathed in this spiced coconut sauce!  
This recipe is easily doubled to make 4 servings.  

Nutrition

Calories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 38gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 1070mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 645IUVitamin C: 107mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 5mg
Keyword coconut milk, Fish, tilapia
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. June Barrera

    October 07, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing talapia recipe! I just had to make this recipe since my daughter loved it so much ! She doesn’t like Indian type of dishes in the restaurants but she really loves this one so I just had to make it. The smell was so amazing while cooking and the aroma just filled our house with so many spices. Delicious topped with lots of cilantro! Thanks to my sister Grace for sharing !

    Reply
    • Grace

      October 07, 2021 at 7:12 pm

      June ...thank you so much for making and commenting on this recipe! I'm so happy that you and your family enjoyed it! Thanks again!! Grace

      Reply
  2. Mel

    April 03, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    4 stars
    A very good starting point!

    We found that a full can (for doubled recipe) was far too much coconut milk. Even with doubling the rest, we've written into our notes to use only 1/4 to 1/2 can next time. I enjoy a creamy sauce, but the sheer amount of milk overwhelmed all the other flavors. We kept adding seasoning and it still just tasted milky when the dish was done.

    Otherwise, the process and timing worked well. The texture of the fish was good and the onions were a nice addition. We will be trying it again with the reduced amount of coconut milk and hope it will be stellar!

    Reply
    • Grace

      April 04, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      Hi Mel! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe and taking the time to comment here! I very much appreciate your comments and will add some of your notes to my post which will do well to help other readers! If you do try it again with the reduced amt of coconut milk I'd love to know how it turns out and hopefully it will be 5 star then! Thanks again, and I hope you have a brilliant day! Grace

      Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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