Panko and Onion Crusted Yellowtail with Mango Salsa

With a crispy onion and panko coating, yellowtail fillets are pan-fried and served with a fresh, tropical mango salsa and a lovely Key lime butter sauce. 

Chef Bobby Stoky is a favorite chef of Florida’s Key Largo. This is on one his all-time favorite recipes for yellowtail snapper. The onion crust is in this dish is also great on shrimp, scallops, lobster, or chicken, but Key Largo yellowtail is amazing.

The mango salsa has a litte bit of a kick to it, but you can adjust accordingly to your taste. Serve with steamed rice, fried plantains or even as is – with a cold, refreshing beverage.

Onion and Panko Crusted Yellowtail with Mango Salsa, by Chef Bobby Stoky

How to Make Onion Crusted Yellowtail with Mango Salsa


1. Prepare the Onion Rings:

  • In a large, deep sauté pan or fryer, preheat enough vegetable oil to cover the onions. Heat oil to approximately 350°F (175°C).
  • In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of flour and the blackening spice. Toss the sliced onion rings in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  • Fry the onion rings in the preheated oil for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dark brown. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain.

2. Create the Onion-Panko Crust:

  • Once the fried onion rings have cooled, finely chop them using a kitchen knife or food processor. The onion pieces should be about the size of panko breadcrumbs.
  • Combine the chopped onion rings with the 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs in a bowl and mix well.

3. Dredge the Yellowtail:

  • Dredge the yellowtail fillets first in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, then through the beaten eggs, and finally press them into the onion-panko mixture, ensuring a good coating on all sides.

4. Cook the Yellowtail:

  • In a large sauté pan, add enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium-high heat.
  • Cook the breaded yellowtail fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the onion crust is golden brown, and the fish is cooked through and opaque.

5. Make the Key Lime Butter:

  • In a small saucepan, melt the stick of butter over medium heat. Add the 1/4 cup of white wine and the juice of 6 Key limes.
  • Stir well and remove from heat. Let the sauce rest at room temperature.

6. Prepare the Mango Salsa:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the diced mango, green bell pepper, tomato, and red onion. Add the juice of 4 Key limes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Mix in fresh cilantro to taste. Set aside.

7. Serve:

  • Top the fried yellowtail fillets with a drizzle of Key lime butter and a generous spoonful of mango salsa.
  • Serve with your choice of sides like a light salad or steamed vegetables.

Recipe Notes:

  • Yellowtail Substitute: If you can’t find yellowtail, mahi-mahi or halibut make good substitutes.
  • Panko Tip: Make sure the onion-panko mixture is well mixed to get a balanced crunch.
  • Mango Salsa Adjustments: You can adjust the spice level of the mango salsa by adding diced jalapeño or leaving out the cilantro if you prefer.
  • Make Ahead: The mango salsa and Key lime butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

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Onion Crusted Yellowtail with Mango Salsa


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  • Author: Bobby Stoky
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Pescatarian, Omnivore

Description

Crispy onion-crusted yellowtail fillets meet a vibrant mango salsa and tangy Key lime butter. A sophisticated yet simple weeknight dinner.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 (6-8 ounce) (227 g) yellowtail fillets
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1/2 cups (60 g) panko bread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon blackening spice
  • 2 large eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • 6 Key limes
  • 1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cups (60 ml) good quality dry white wine
  • 1 ripe mango
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 tomato
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 4 fresh Key limes
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Onion Rings:
  2. In a large, deep sauté pan or fryer, preheat enough vegetable oil to cover the onions. Heat oil to approximately 350°F (175°C).
  3. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of flour and the blackening spice. Toss the sliced onion rings in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  4. Fry the onion rings in the preheated oil for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dark brown. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain.
  5. Create the Onion-Panko Crust:
  6. Once the fried onion rings have cooled, finely chop them using a kitchen knife or food processor. The onion pieces should be about the size of panko breadcrumbs.
  7. Combine the chopped onion rings with the 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs in a bowl and mix well.
  8. Dredge the Yellowtail:
  9. Dredge the yellowtail fillets first in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, then through the beaten eggs, and finally press them into the onion-panko mixture, ensuring a good coating on all sides.
  10. Cook the Yellowtail:
  11. In a large sauté pan, add enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium-high heat.
  12. Cook the breaded yellowtail fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the onion crust is golden brown, and the fish is cooked through and opaque.
  13. Make the Key Lime Butter:
  14. In a small saucepan, melt the stick of butter over medium heat. Add the 1/4 cup of white wine and the juice of 6 Key limes.
  15. Stir well and remove from heat. Let the sauce rest at room temperature.
  16. Prepare the Mango Salsa:
  17. In a medium bowl, combine the diced mango, green bell pepper, tomato, and red onion. Add the juice of 4 Key limes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  18. Mix in fresh cilantro to taste. Set aside.
  19. Serve:
  20. Top the fried yellowtail fillets with a drizzle of Key lime butter and a generous spoonful of mango salsa.
  21. Serve with your choice of sides like a light salad or steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, ensure the yellowtail fillets are completely dry before dredging in the onion-panko mixture.
  • Substitute other firm white fish, like cod or snapper, for the yellowtail.
  • Store leftover mango salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-Frying
  • Cuisine: Latin Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: One 6-8 ounce fillet
  • Calories: 500
  • Sugar: 15
  • Sodium: 400
  • Fat: 30
  • Saturated Fat: 15
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 40
  • Fiber: 5
  • Protein: 35
  • Cholesterol: 150

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of oil should I use for frying the onion rings?

You can use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, for frying the onion rings.

How do I adjust the spiciness of the mango salsa?

You can adjust the spiciness of the mango salsa by adding more or less of the blackening spice, or by incorporating additional ingredients like diced jalapeño or omitting them altogether.

What is the purpose of dredging the yellowtail in flour before adding the onion-panko crust?

Dredging the yellowtail in flour helps the onion-panko crust adhere better to the fish, creating a more cohesive and flavorful coating.

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