Tilapia in the Crockpot with Garlic Cheese Sauce

Until recently, I’d never thought of using foil packets to cook food in the crockpot and I never would have thought to cook fish in the crockpot. But a few months ago I found A Year of Crockpotting.

That blog changed the way I cook in the crockpot. I’ve learned all kinds of handy crockpot tricks and have even been able to adapt her ideas to accomodate my own recipes (see Hashbrown Casserole)

This recipe for Tilapia comes from A Year of Crockpotting. It was a huge hit with everyone in my family, even the ones who don’t normally like fish. The sauce is flavorful. Cooking the fish in the crockpot didn’t give the house a fishy smell – another bonus.

Gather up your ingredients:

3-4 Tilapia fillets or other white fish (I made 6 fillets)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar, but parmesan would be really good)
the juice of two lemons (I used 5 Tbs. of lemon juice)
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper

I didn’t really measure the mayo or cheese. I knew I needed a bit more since I was making 6 fillets, so I just eye-balled it. Stir the sauce together (all ingredients except the fish). I decided not to thaw out the frozen fillets. It just seemed like an easy step to skip and it worked out fine.

Put the sauce on both sides of the fillet. Then wrap into a foil packet. Place all the packets in the crockpot, stacking them on top of each other. I was surprised that they took up so much space in the crock. I thought I might have room to wrap potatoes and put them on the bottom of the crock to cook at the same time, but there wouldn’t have been room. Maybe if you’re making less fish. If you try that trick, let me know if it works!

Cook on low for 3-4 hours. I started mine on high for about 30 minutes since I started with frozen fish, but I don’t know that I needed to do that. The fish should flake easily with a fork when it’s done.

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Comments

  1. Crockpot Lady says:

    YAY! Thank you so much, Tiffany, for letting me know that you tried this! It’s hands-down my kids favorite fish, ever, and I’m so glad that your family liked it too.

    I LOVE how fish in the crock turns out with no fish smell, and I’m thrilled it worked so well for you.

    xoxo
    steph

  2. mommy4life says:

    This sounds wonderful! We will be trying it very soon!

  3. Alison says:

    Two things I love: 1. my crockpot 2.fish

    I would have NEVER thought of combining the two. Thanks for sharing! :)

  4. Finding Normal says:

    Great idea. Very timely, what with us Catholics giving up the meat this week and all.
    I do hate the 3-4 hours on low. I need it either longer (like 6-8) or shorter. I guess I could do some on high, or have it ready to go as soon as I got home from school and just eat a little later. Any thoughts?

  5. lisalyn says:

    You are some amazing cook..that’ all I have to say, after eating vegi- sausages and a grapefruit for supper.

  6. noel2momof3 says:

    I was wondering just the other day if I could use aluminum foil packets in the crockpot. Thanks so much for answering my unasked question!

  7. Julie says:

    I never would have thought of that…nice idea :)

  8. sherri says:

    Thank you for this recipe and the tips and turning me on to this site!

    My post today is on SMOKIN’ POT!
    (And an award winning Italian beef recipe)

    (Which is what I call my crock pot because IT’S SMOKIN’!)

  9. sherri says:

    You can find me at http://moderationrecipes.com

  10. sherri says:

    I put a link in my post today for all the trouble I’ve caused today.

  11. Amy says:

    Mmmm, you have crockpot recipes! I will be back to see more later. I am a fanatic for cooking in mine.

  12. Maggie R says:

    Hi Tiffany…
    Oh My Goodness…. One is never too old to learn something new every day..
    Now fish in the crock pot was a first with me and in foil yet…. GREAT….. Thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful foody delights
    xoxo
    ((((hugs))))
    Maggie

  13. Mamarazzi says:

    i’m a big fan on talapia…i will have to try this!!

  14. 3 Bay B Chicks says:

    The Year of Crockpotting site seriously blows my mind. Glad that you came across it too.

    Seriously…365 days in a crock pot. That woman deserves a medal!

    Loving the tilapia tip. This is something that definitely needs to be on my dinner table. :)

    -Francesca

  15. Beverly says:

    Thanks, Tiffany. I keep trying to make fish for my family, but I haven’t found many recipes they like. This one sounds just right. They will love the sauce, and I love using my crockpot.

    Bev

    PS — You are such a celebrity! Stephanie leaves comments on your blog. Wow. :-)

  16. Cassie says:

    Wow, that sounds delicious. I would have never thought of making fish in a crockpot!

  17. Amy says:

    I tried this using frozen tilapia filets and parmesan instead of the cheddar, and it came out great! I increased the cooking time by 1/2 hour and it was perfect. I also made up a packet of cauliflower, broccoli and carrots and stuck it on top of the fish packets. My kids loved this recipe and have asked me to make it again. I’m addicted to your site now and have told several friends about it. Thanks!

  18. Karen says:

    I have also made something similar using the broiler and parmesean cheese. Delish! You wouldn’t think it would be good, but the mayo and lemon juice really work together to give it a great zing!

  19. Dee says:

    I’ve made this recipe and it was great! Thanks.

  20. Nikki says:

    Fist time user of crock-pot…. do i add water to the bottom of the pot before adding fish in foil?

    • Tiffany says:

      Nikki, you won’t need to add any water.

      • Nikki says:

        OMG! The fish came out so tender and flavor was wonderful ! My husband luv it. I’m still smiling over how well it came out. Thank you very much. Can’t wait to pass this on to my ITALIAN family. tk again for being there. love you blog. Nik

Trackbacks

  1. [...] leftovers M: hamburgers & hot dogs on the grill & chips T: steak on grill & noodles W: tilapia in crockpot w/ garlic cheese sauce & hashbrowns R: spaghetti & garlic bread (or baked rotini) F: ham slices & homemade mac [...]

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