Description
A quick and easy garlic butter baked tilapia recipe perfect for busy weeknights, using simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each / 170g each)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper)
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and place in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Melt butter gently in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in lemon juice, paprika, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Spread garlic butter sauce evenly over each fillet. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Optionally cover loosely with foil for the first 7 minutes to keep moist, then uncover for the last 3-5 minutes to brown.
- Remove from oven, let rest for a minute, spoon any remaining sauce over fillets, and serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Pat the fish dry to ensure a buttery crust and avoid steaming.’, ‘Melt butter gently to prevent burnt garlic which tastes bitter.’, ‘Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.’, ‘Check fish at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out.’, ‘Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.’, ‘Customize with fresh herbs like dill or thyme, or add Parmesan for a crust.’, ‘For dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and omit Parmesan.’]
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tilapia fillet (ab
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: garlic butter baked tilapia, quick seafood recipe, easy tilapia recipe, healthy fish dinner, weeknight dinner, baked fish, garlic butter sauce