Inspired by my Florida Keys vacation, this blackened fish recipe with Key Lime Tartar Sauce tastes amazing. Bake the fish in the oven, or air fry it!
Blackened Fish with Key Lime Tartar
My new obsession with fish is fish florentine! While in the Florida Keys I consumed my entire weight in blackened fish, always ordering the catch. I enjoyed fish fish tacos on most days, but one night I had blackened fish with key lime tartar and wild rice for dinner. Since I got home, I’ve been thinking about that meal, so I knew I had to recreate it ASAP! The tartar sauce turned out perfectly! Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Salsa and Blackened Salmon With Mango Salsa are some other healthy blackened fish recipes.
What is a “blackened fish”?
Blackened fish is white fish coated in dried herbs, and spices and pan fried until charred and “blackened.” I spray my fish with olive oil and cook it in the air fryer ore broiler it to make it lighter, both ways are great.
These are the ingredients that I use to make my blackened seasoning. It’s pretty mild, you can reduce or omit the cayenne if you prefer it milder or increase it if you like it spicier.
- Paprika
- Dried cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
What fish is the best for blackening
Blackening can be done with almost any white fish. You have many options: Mahi mahi (grouper), red snapper, tilapia, and red snapper. It’s also great with salmon or chicken.
Key Lime Tartar Sauce Ingredients
Key lime tartar sauce can be found all over the Florida Keys. We had it everywhere we went. Chopbed dill pickles stood out to me, so I added them my sauce. Key limes are common in Florida, but use regular limes if you can’t find them. If you prefer Greek yogurt, you can also substitute mayo with Greek yogurt.
- Reduced-fat sour cream
- Light mayonnaise
- Finely chopped pickles of dill, along with some pickle juice
- Fresh chopped dill
- Fresh key lime juice or regular lime juice
How to Serve
I enjoyed the fish and wild rice served by Key West’s restaurant. But here are some ideas:
- As a sandwich with slaw on a potato roll
- As a salad with mixed greens, romaine, cucumber, and cherry tomato.
- As tacos with cabbage slaw, on tortillas
More Fish Recipes You’ll Love:
Blackened Fish with Key Lime Tartar
Inspired by my Florida Keys vacation, this blackened fish recipe with Key Lime Tartar Sauce tastes amazing. It can be baked or air fried!
Blackened Fish
- 1 Use the following as a guide: Paprika
- 1/2 Take one teaspoon dried cayenne pepper
- 1 Take one teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 Take one teaspoon Dry thyme
- 1 Take one teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 Take one teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/8 Take one teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- 4 pieces Fresh skinned white fish fillets, 6 ounces each (mahi mahi grouper, red snapper or tilapia).
- 3 Cups Wild rice or brown rice can be cooked
- Lime wedges, For serving
Key Lime Tartar Sauce:
- 1/4 Cup Sour cream with reduced fat
- 3 Spoonfuls light mayonnaise
- 1/3 Cup Finely chopped dill pickles with 1 tablespoon pickle liquid
- 1 Use the following as a guide: Fresh chopped dill
- 1 Take one teaspoon Fresh key lime juice
- 1/8 Take one teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/8 Take one teaspoon black pepper
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Combine all ingredients for tartar sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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Combine the remaining cayenne, garlic, powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix to combine.
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Rub oil all over the fish.
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The spice mix should be used to coat the fish on both sides.
Air Fryer Method
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Spray the basket of an air fryer with oil. Place the fish in a single layer in the basket. Cook at 400F for about 5 to 7 mins, depending on the thickness of each fish.
To serve:
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Each plate should have 3/4 cup rice and 1 piece of fish. Divide the sauce into 4 small bowls. Serve with lime wedges.
Serving: 1Piece of fish, 3/4 cup rice and 2 1/2 tablespoons tartar, Calories: 374kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 36.5g, Fat: 7.5g, Saturated Fat 2.5g, Cholesterol: 131mg, Sodium: 675mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1.5g
Source: Skinny Taste