Tilapia Tacos with Strawberry + Rhubarb

These Tilapia Tacos are filled with a strawberry cole slaw, sweetened rhubarb, and ginger seared tilapia, and make an easy and delicious springtime meal.

Last month, I flew to Florida for the best friend’s wedding.  I spent my time getting the obligatory “I wore SPF 5 million but I’m insanely white” sunburn, crying ugly (but happy) tears as she walked down the aisle, and eating as much fresh seafood as humanly possible.

What kind of seafood?  We ate oysters– of course– because I can’t find those at home, but also mahi mahi, grouper, and whatever type of fish tacos I could find.

When I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about fish tacos– savory fish tacos, fish tacos with fruity salsa– I wanted them all!  These Tilapia Tacos are filled with strawberry and rhubarb, and are the brainchild of my seafood-obsessed mind.  Want some?  Keep reading!

Is Tilapia Unhealthy?

Recently, tilapia has gotten a lot of bad press.  One article even said that it was more unhealthy than bacon.

Why?  Most tilapia is farmed, and some poor (and even disgusting) fish farming from overseas aquaculture farms (especially from Asia).

Why else?  It’s not the most “heart healthy” fish.  As in, it has fewer fatty acids than salmon.

So– Is tilapia bad for you?  Should we still eat it?

The answer is a big– MAYBE.  Maybe we should still eat it.

Why would you want to?  For one thing, it’s an inexpensive, mild-flavored protein.  That makes it perfect for things like– fish tacos!

What can you do to make sure you’re buying GOOD tilapia?

The same thing you should ALWAYS DO when buying farmed fish.  Look for non-imported fish from the U.S.A., or the Best Aquaculture Practices seal of approval.  That way, you know that your tilapia was raised under strict regulations.

Read more: Check out this article on tilapia from Health Line, and this one from BAP.

Making Strawberry Rhubarb Tilapia Tacos

To make these Strawberry Rhubarb Tilapia Tacos, start by cooking down and sweetening the rhubarb.  All you need to do is dice up some rhubarb, add it to a pot with a little sugar and water, and bring it to a boil.  Then, simmer it until the rhubarb starts to fall apart.

You’re going to strain off the sweetened water (a.k.a.– rhubarb simple syrup), and put it in another container.  Set the sweetened rhubarb aside.

Quick Tip: Don’t throw the syrup away!  Instead– save it, and make margaritas, pour it over some yogurt, or add it to some sparkling water!  

Next, sear the tilapia, and make the strawberry and cabbage slaw.

You’ll add the fish, rhubarb, and strawberry-cabbage mixture to some tortillas, add a dollop of yogurt to each taco, and dig in immediately!

Want more RHUBARB?  Try these:

• Rhubarb Recipes to Celebrate Spring
• Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Rhubarb
• Ricotta Cheesecake with Strawberry Rhubarb Topping

Want more FISH TACOS + WRAPS?  Try these:

• Grilled Fish Tacos
• Fish Wraps: An Easy, Healthy Lunch
• Ahi Tuna Wraps with Wasabi

Strawberry Rhubarb Tilapia Tacos

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Champagne Tastes

These Tilapia Tacos are filled with a strawberry coleslaw, sweetened rhubarb, and ginger seared tilapia, and make an easy and delicious springtime meal.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Sweetened Rhubarb* (See Recipe Notes)

• 1 stalk rhubarb, diced
• 1/2 cup sugar

Ginger Tilapia:

• 2 tilapia fillets (4oz each) OR sub another thin, white, flaky fish
• 1.4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 TB olive oil

Strawberry Cole Slaw:

• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced

Other Taco Ingredients:

• 4 6" flour tortillas
• 2 TB plain yogurt
• Optional: cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions

Sweetened Rhubarb:

• Add rhubarb and sugar to a small pot, and fill pot with just enough water to cover the rhubarb. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium. Cover, and simmer until the rhubarb stalks begin to fall apart.
• Strain sugar-water off of the rhubarb into another container, reserving 'rhubarb simple syrup' for another recipe if desired. Allow rhubarb to cool to room temperature. (If desired, put rhubarb in the fridge to speed cooling process.)

Tilapia Tacos:

• Pat tilapia dry. Pat dry again. (Wet fish will not sear). Rub fish on both sides with ginger, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a stainless steel or cast iron pan over medium-high heat, until oil is hot and shimmers.
• While pan is heating up, toss together cabbage and strawberries, and set aside.  Heat tortillas for 15 seconds in the microwave.  Divide the cabbage and strawberry mixture between the tortillas.  Divide all of the rhubarb between the tortillas.
• Place the fillets in the pan and set a timer for 2 minutes. Don't touch the fillets until the 2 minutes are up. Then, use a thin metal spatula to flip them. If they won't release- give them another 30 seconds. They'll release when they've finished cooking.  Flip tilapia, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fish releases from the pan without sticking to it.
• Remove tilapia from the heat, and cut into long thin strips.  Divide the fish among the tortillas.  Top each taco with a dollop of yogurt.  Serve immediately with cilantro and a lime wedge (optional).

Recipe Notes

Yields about 4 tacos. 

*Faster Cook Time: The Sweetened Rhubarb can be made ahead to shorten cook time to 15 minutes.

Nutrition information: Since the sugar used to cook the rhubarb is mostly drained away, the calorie calculations assume 1/8 cup sugar total is consumed instead of 1/2 cup, but are an estimation.  Calorie information is listed per taco.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 1050mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 0.6% | Vitamin C: 34.7% | Calcium: 4.6% | Iron: 3.3%

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