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Sweet and Sour Tilapia – Crispy Fish with a Tangy Pineapple Sauce

Sweet and Sour Tilapia is a delicious Filipino fish dish made with crispy fried tilapia and a thick, tangy pineapple sauce. Loaded with colorful vegetables and balanced sweet, sour, and savory flavors, this easy fish recipe is perfect with hot steamed rice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine asian, Filipino
Servings 6
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Large frying pan
  • Cooking pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wide plate
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Spatula or cooking spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving platter

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg Tilapia
  • Salt and Pepper for seasoning
  • Plain flour for dredging
  • Cooking oil for frying
  • 1 Can Pineapple tidbits small can, syrup reserved
  • ½ Cup Ketchup Tomato or Banana
  • ¼ Cup Vinegar
  • 4 Tbsps Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 small Carrot cut into strips
  • 1 Piece Bell pepper red and/or green, julienned
  • ½ Cup Onions chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • ½ tsp Ginger minced, optional
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Spring onions for garnish
  • 2 tsps Cornstarch
  • 3 Tbsps Water

Instructions
 

  • Clean the tilapia and pat it dry. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
  • Lightly dredge the tilapia in plain flour. Shake off any excess flour.
  • Heat cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the tilapia until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine the reserved pineapple syrup, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce. Mix well and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a clean pan. Sauté the ginger, garlic, and onions until fragrant.
  • Add the carrots, bell peppers, and pineapple tidbits. Stir-fry briefly.
  • Add the sugar, then pour in the prepared pineapple and ketchup mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Let the sauce simmer for about 1 minute.
  • Mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Slowly pour it into the sauce while stirring continuously.
  • Cook until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
  • Add the fried tilapia and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Alternatively, place the fried fish on a serving platter and pour the sauce over it to keep the fish crispy.
  • Garnish with spring onions. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For extra crispy Sweet and Sour Tilapia, serve the sauce on the side or pour it over the fried fish just before serving. If you prefer a softer and more flavorful fish, simmer the fried tilapia in the sweet and sour sauce for 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust the sugar and vinegar according to your preferred balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 32gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 760mgPotassium: 620mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Easy Fish Recipe, Filipino Fish Recipe, Filipino Main Dish, Fried Tilapia, Sweet and Sour Fish, Sweet and Sour Tilapia, Tilapia Recipe
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