Pescado Tikin Xic (Yucatecan Achiote Grilled Fish)
White fish fillets painted in a citrusy achiote paste, roasted until flaky, with red rice and pickled red onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Recado rojo (achiote paste) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.85 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix your ready made recado rojo (see the base recipe) with the orange juice, lime juice and a pinch of salt into a loose paste.
- 2
Spread the paste over both sides of the fish. Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
30 min - 3
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Lay the onion and tomato on a lined tray, drizzle with oil, and put the fish on top.
- 4
Roast for 12 to 15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
14 min - 5
Reheat your ready made arroz rojo (see the base recipe) until steaming hot.
- 6
Serve the fish on the rice with the roasted vegetables, topped with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Do not marinate fish longer than 1 hour or the acid will firm the texture.
- Banana leaf wrapping keeps the fish moist and adds fragrance if you can get it.
- Use thick fillets for roasting, thin ones for pan frying.
Storing and freezing
Best fresh. Cooked fish keeps 1 day in the fridge, cooled within 1 hour. Reheat gently until steaming hot.
Questions
What does tikin xic mean?
It is a Mayan name for fish seasoned with achiote and grilled, a speciality of the Yucatan coast.
Can I barbecue the fish?
Yes, wrap it in foil or banana leaves and grill for 10 to 12 minutes.
Which fish is best?
Firm white fish such as bream, snapper, cod or haddock.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tostadas de Atún con Chipotle (Tuna Tostadas)
DFNFGreek Loaded Chips with Feta, Pickled Red Onions and Tzatziki
EFNFFideo Seco a la Diabla (Spicy Dry Noodle Soup)
DFNFVPapas con Mole y Ejotes (Potatoes and Green Beans in Red Mole)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.