The Reason Tilapia Is Absolutely Not A 'Garbage Fish'

Often touted as bland, basic, and a bottom-feeder "garbage fish," tilapia is anything but. To get his tips for cooking with this mild-flavored tropical white fish, Food Republic spoke to Kyle Taylor, chef and founder of HE COOKS®.

First, tilapia is shrouded in myths and misconceptions — some of which aren't unfounded. "There are legitimate concerns about poor farming conditions, which can negatively impact the environment," Taylor shares. For this reason, some chefs won't cook or eat tilapia. However, Taylor says this shouldn't stop consumers from enjoying the fish.

Tilapia is one of the cheapest fish you can buy. Home cooks just need to know what to look for when shopping the seafood aisle. "Sustainably sourced tilapia from farms using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) can be a very affordable option for home cooks," Taylor explains.

Not to mention, tilapia can be delicious, with its mild flavor working to its advantage. "Flavorwise, tilapia is like a blank canvas," says Taylor. "It's pretty basic, neutral, and clean. It's texture is flaky and tender, and it holds up well to a variety of cooking methods."

When asked how he cooks tilapia, Kyle Taylor says, "I like it pan-fried with some butter, garlic, and citrus." This classic cooking technique enhances tilapia's delicate taste with delicious aromatics, while a hot pan and a good sear can ensure the fish stays tender and flaky. However, this isn't the only way to enjoy this versatile fish.

Unlike other fish like salmon, sardines, or mackerel, tilapia doesn't have a strong fishy flavor, partly because it's a freshwater fish. This makes it the perfect base for recipes where flavorful sauces and seasonings are the focus, with tilapia being an easy substitute for other white fish. For example, tilapia is delicious when paired with a curry sauce, like in this recipe for Thai curried catfish with crab. Tilapia also works wonderfully when baked, and could easily substitute for cod in this lemon, herb, and crab-crusted baked cod recipe.

Tilapia's flaky, tender texture and ability to take on complex flavors make it ideal for various fish taco recipes. For example, you can marinate your tilapia in lime and chili, grill it and top with a mango salsa for a fresh and fruity take, or deep-fry it for ultra-crispy Baja-style fried fish tacos. When cooking with tilapia, the sky is truly the limit. However you choose to cook it, the mild taste of tilapia will complement whatever flavors you pair it with.