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This simple baked tilapia recipe is finished with a garlicky lemon butter sauce and fresh parsley, making it perfect for pairing with just about any side dish. So easy too!
Baked tilapia is a favorite of mine—it’s quick, simple and so flavorful! I try to incorporate fish into my diet as often as possible and this is how I make it when I need something that comes together with minimal effort. Sometimes I make this recipe with flounder or another white fish, and if I happen to have capers in the fridge, I love adding those to the butter sauce for a briny pop of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Tilapia Recipe
- An everyday kind of fish recipe. This is the kind of easy back-pocket recipe you can pull out for any weeknight dinner. It’s easy, quick, and delicious.
- Healthy and nutritious. Tilapia is a lean source of protein that is low in calories and high in nutrients. It’s a great main dish option if you’re trying to eat healthy!
- Budget-friendly. Tilapia is an affordable option compared to other types of fish, making this an excellent recipe if you’re trying to keep your grocery spending in check.
- Family-friendly. Tilapia is a good fish for feeding seafood skeptics since it typically has a mild flavor.
What You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make baked tilapia. Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Tilapia fillets – Fresh or frozen will work for this recipe; just be sure to thaw frozen tilapia in the refrigerator first.
- Garlic – If your garlic cloves are extra large, you can use fewer; on the flip side, if they’re especially tiny, throw in some extra.
- Butter – Either salted or unsalted works; if you use salted butter, you won’t need to add as much kosher salt.
- Fresh lemon juice – Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled.
- Fresh parsley – Use any leftover parsley to make this cucumber, parsley, pineapple and lemon smoothie
- Seasonings – Kosher salt and black pepper.
- Olive oil spray – If you don’t have this on hand, you can use a brush to brush a very light amount of olive oil onto the baking dish.
How to Make Baked Tilapia
Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved in making baked tilapia. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare. Preheat your oven to 400ºF and coat the bottom of a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Make the sauce. Melt the butter in a small skillet set over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for a minute, then remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Assemble. Set the tilapia in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the butter sauce on top.
- Cook. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes with a fork. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Tips for Success
- Don’t use anything more than low heat for the sauce. Garlic and butter both cook quickly, so just heat them enough to infuse the butter with garlic flavor. Any higher heat will burn the garlic, which doesn’t taste good!
- Don’t overbake. Tilapia cooks quickly too, so be sure to check to see if it flakes at the 12 minute mark. Overcooking will result in dry fish.
- Serve immediately. Baked tilapia is best served fresh out of the oven while the fish is warm and perfectly flaky.
What to Serve With Baked Tilapia
- Salad – A simple green salad or arugula salad would make a light pairing with this recipe.
- Vegetables – Roasted asparagus is a great pairing for baked tilapia, or try roasted Parmesan green beans.
- Grains – For a more filling meal, serve baked tilapia over lemon asparagus couscous salad or Instant Pot brown rice.
- Potatoes – Crispy oven roasted baby potatoes are another great option to serve with tilapia. You can also try roasted sweet potatoes for a nutrient-packed side.
Proper Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover baked tilapia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze cooked tilapia for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: To reheat, you can either microwave until warmed through or bake covered in a dish in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
Baked Tilapia
This simple baked tilapia recipe is finished with a garlicky lemon butter sauce and parsley, making it a delicious and light weeknight dinner!
Yield: servings
Serving Size: 1 piece fish
Ingredients
- 6 tilapia fillets, 6 ounces each
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- kosher salt, and black pepper, to taste
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Spray the bottom of a baking dish lightly with oil.
- Melt butter on a low heat in a small skillet. Add the garlic and saute on low for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.
- Place the fish in the baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Pour the lemon butter mixture over the fish.
- Bake at 400F until cooked and flakes easily with a fork, about 12 to 15 minutes. Top with parsley.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Serving: 1 piece fish, Calories: 200 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 33 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Sodium: 29 mg, Fiber: 0.1 g
