Thai Lime-Garlic Fish with Fresh Cilantro and Chili
Thai Lime-Garlic Fish is a delicately steamed white fish dish infused with zesty lime, garlic, ginger, chili, and fresh cilantro. Light, aromatic, and flavorful, it’s an easy and elegant meal perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 4 fillets white fish (cod or tilapia)
- 2 limes, juiced and zested
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red chili, finely sliced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the white fish fillets with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix lime juice and zest, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves.
- Place the fish in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the fillets. Let marinate for 15–20 minutes.
- Transfer the fish and marinade to a heatproof steaming dish. Top with half the cilantro and all the sliced chili.
- Steam over gently boiling water for 10–12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the steamer, sprinkle with remaining cilantro, and serve with the cooking sauce.
Notes
- Use firm white fish like cod, tilapia, snapper, or halibut for best results.
- Substitute lime with lemon if needed, though lime offers a more authentic Thai flavor.
- Adjust chili to your preferred heat level, or omit for a mild version.
- Can be baked if a steamer is not available—cover and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes.
- Add kaffir lime leaves or lemongrass for extra Thai fragrance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
