Why You Should Be Buying Frozen Seafood (and Tips for Buying Frozen Seafood)
Why You Should Be Buying Frozen Seafood (and Tips for Buying Frozen Seafood) is a easy American recipe that serves 2. 200 calories per serving. Recipe by America's Test Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 35 min
Cost: $9.73 total, $4.87 per serving
Ingredients
- 3 pieces Tilapia Fillets, frozen (thaw using cold‑water method; look for clear‑window packaging, no freezer burn)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (kosher or sea salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 whole Lemon (cut into wedges for serving)
Instructions
Defrost the fish
Place the frozen tilapia fillets in a colander set over a bowl of cold water. Run a gentle stream of cold tap water over the fillets for 20‑30 minutes until fully thawed.
Time: PT30M
Pat dry
Remove the fillets, let excess water drain, then pat them completely dry with paper towels.
Time: PT5M
Season
Season both sides of each fillet with the salt and black pepper.
Time: PT2M
Heat the skillet
Add olive oil to a skillet over medium‑high heat. Heat until the oil shimmers, about 1 minute.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Cook the tilapia
Place the fillets in the hot skillet. Cook 3‑4 minutes without moving until the edges turn opaque and the bottom is golden‑brown. Flip and cook another 2‑3 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium‑high
Serve
Transfer the fillets to a serving plate, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, and serve immediately.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 20 g
- Carbohydrates
- 0 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
Dietary info: Pescatarian, Gluten‑Free, Low‑Calorie
Allergens: Fish
Last updated: March 15, 2026








