Tilapia is a lean freshwater fish that is abundant and affordable. Tilapia’s pleasantly mild flavor and firm texture makes it extremely versatile and pairs well with a wild variety of flavors and cuisine styles. Often sold as thin fillets, tilapia is easy to overcook and therefore ideally suited to precise sous vide cooking. This cooking method allows you to cook this delicate fish to its ideal temperature while also preserving its pleasant texture and flavor. Follow this simple guide to prepare perfectly cooked tilapia every time.
Temperature and cooking times for tilapia
| Temperature | Time | Result |
| 125°F* | 30-60 minutes | Tender, slightly flaky |
| 130°F | 30-60 minutes | Medium, firm, moist, and flaky |
| 135°F | 30-60 minutes | Well done but still moist, flaky |
Tilapia fillets are often quite thin, so we don’t recommend cooking them for longer than 45 minutes. Certain tougher proteins benefit from some extra time in the sous vide water bath, however fish should be removed as soon as possible. If the fish is left in the Suvie or sous vide bath for longer than an hour it will start to develop a dry, unpleasant texture.
Follow this link to find out more information about Suvie cooking times and temperatures.
Ingredients
- Tilapia fillets
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil or butter
Equipment
- Suvie or an immersion circulator
- A large pot (if using an immersion circulator)
- Freezer safe sealable plastic bags
Directions
Season the tilapia on both sides with salt and pepper and add any other seasonings you like (we used a little bit of ground cumin).
Place in a sealable freezer bag (remove air from the bag using the water displacement method). Add 1 tsp of olive oil or some butter and seal the bag.
Vacuum seal bag using our DIY vacuum-sealing guide.
Suvie Instructions
If you are using Suvie, place the bag in the protein pan and cover with water. Cook using the following settings:
Suvie Cook Settings
Bottom Zone: Sous Vide at 125-135°F for 30 to 60 minutes (based on desired doneness)
Top Zone: Sous Vide at 125-135°F for 30 to 60 minutes (based on desired doneness)
Once the cook is finished, remove the fish from the pan.
Remove the fish from the bag and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
Immersion Circulator Instructions
If you’re using an immersion circulator, pre-heat your water bath to the desired temperature.
Gently lower the bag into the water bath and clip to the side to prevent it from moving.
Once the cook is finished, remove the bag from the water bath.
Remove the fish from the bag and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
Serve immediately, or proceed to the finishing step.
Finishing
Sous vide tilapia can be enjoyed straight out of the bag, however, if you prefer a light sear follow the instructions below:
Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil or butter in a skillet over high heat until the pan is very hot. Once the oil begins to smoke place the tilapia fillets in the pan. Cook for no longer than 30 seconds on each side. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Recipes to try
White Fish Rice Bowl
White Fish with Herb Butter over Spinach
Kerala Fish Curry
FAQs
Should I add oil during the sous vide process?
You don’t have to, but we strongly recommend it. Unlike steak or chicken, fish benefits from a little bit of fat during the sous vide process.
Can I leave the tilapia fillets in sous vide for longer than 60 minutes?
As with all proteins, at low temperatures, tilapia that is left in the sous vide bath for too long will develop a soft texture that some may find unpleasant. At higher temperatures, the fish will become overly dry.
What’s the chalky white substance on the exterior of the fish?
You may notice a white film forms on the exterior of your fish after it has cooked. This is albumin, a water-soluble protein that coagulates when heated and is completely safe to eat. It’s the same protein you find in egg whites and milk. Simply rinse or carefully brush off the albumin with a paper towel to remove.
Note: Adding oil to the sous vide bag should help to inhibit the development of the albumin.
Where can I get vacuum sealed proteins?
If you don’t want to fuss with vacuum sealers and ziplock bags you can skip the store and order the Suvie Protein Box. Just put together your ideal combination of preseasoned, portioned, and vacuum-packed high-quality meat, poultry, or fish. We deliver it to you frozen in a carefully-packed box.
