Instant Pot Tilapia and Pesto Packets - Dump and Go Dinner
Let the Instant Pot do the work for your dinner tonight! Flaky white fish fillets are bathed in a rich pesto and topped with a smattering of smooth tomato paste accompanied by a tart lemon wedge in these simple yet scrumptious Tilapia and Pesto Packets.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pesto
- 4 individual Tilapia
- 4 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- ½ cups dice Onion
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
- 1 medium Lemon
Containers
Supplies
Cooking Instructions
Freeze For Later Cooking Day Directions
These directions help you cook or prepare this meal PRIOR to being frozen for serving later (see Serving Day Directions when you are ready to prepare it to eat).
Why would I want to freeze this?
- For each serving place one sheet of parchment paper on counter.
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Make From Frozen Serving Day Directions
These directions help you cook or reheat this meal AFTER it's been frozen for when you are ready to eat it.
- Prep from frozen
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Make It Now Cooking Directions
These directions are for cooking this recipe to serve immediately and NOT to freeze for later.
- **Due to the nature of pressure cooking there is always room for inconsistency. The times given here are based on 4 servings fresh. If you are using more servings you may need to increase your cooking time.**
- For each serving place one sheet of parchment paper on counter.
- Divide pesto among sheets, mounding in the middle of each sheet.
- Place one Tilapia filet on top of each pesto mound.
- Top with 1 TBLS of tomato paste on each filet.
- Divide onions evenly between packs and sprinkle on top of tomato paste.
- Sprinkle each pack with salt and pepper.
- Place lemon wedge on top.
- Fold pack together in the center and roll to seal.
- Add the trivet and minimum amount of water needed for your Instant Pot (1- 1.5 cups). Set packets on trivet.
- Cook on high pressure for 17 minutes.
- Quick release pressure.
12 Comments
Join the discussionI don’t see the parchment paper in the photo – does it work to just make the packets from foil? Or do I really need both layers to freeze?
Lori, you should be okay to freeze just in the foil. You may want to spray the foil with a little oil to prevent the fish from sticking to it.
We really enjoyed the flavor of the tilapia pesto packets; served over rice. The cooking time didn’t work for me. After 5 minutes it was still cold, 5 minutes more warm-ish, and then 7 minutes more they were finally done. Total cooking time about 17 minutes. 8 qt IP with frozen packets on top of 2 more with 1 c water, QR after each cycle. Have you had any other feedback on the cooking time?
Colleen, we have not had any other feedback on cooking time with this recipe. So you know, we do write these recipes using a 6 QT Instant Pot. We have seen those using an 8QT Instant Pot rather a 6QT Instant Pot do have to increase times because of how much larger the pot is. That said, thank you so much for the feedback and I am sure this will be of great help to others as they cook! As you continue to troubleshoot other Instant Pot recipes, you may find this post of ours helpful as you make adjustments and adaptations! Thanks again Colleen! ?
We had the same experience last night. We were only doing one packet in a 6 QT instant pot. After 5 minutes the packet was still frozen. Another 5 and it was still cold to the touch. Another 5 minutes and it was edible but still not hot.
We had the same experience- 5 minutes is not the correct time!
Hi Sejal! Thank you for the feedback. Due to all of the variables when it comes to pressure cooking, cook times may vary depending on servings sizes and size of Instant Pot. Would you be willing to share with us what those were? This can help other members determine the best cook time for them as they learn how to use their Instant Pot.
With that being said, we are also passing this feedback along to our menu team to ask them to take another look.
We used an 8qt instant pot and the 17 minute time worked great. I loved the dish, my husband felt the tomatoes paste over-powered the fish. To each their own I guess. I’ll make again and use less tomato paste. ?
Hi, I have a question about the recipe. Can you tell me what the size/weight & thickness of the Tilapia that is used in this recipe AND can I substitute with another white fish if Tilapia isn’t available (for example: Sole)? Thanks so much, I really appreciate your help.
Hi Annie! Approximately 5 ounces would be 1 serving/1 fillet. You can definitely sub another white fish!
Do you have a dairy free pesto recipe that you recommend?
Hi Joanna,
This is a good one on our site that we use in our GFDF recipes! We hope you enjoy!