Baked tilapia with garlic butter is great for when you want lots of flavor without a lot of work. Make this recipe for dinner in less than 30 minutes!
I have several fish recipes that feature a tried-and-true garlic butter sauce, one that I’ve made so many times it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Some of my favorites include Garlic Butter Salmon, Garlic Butter Halibut, Cod Recipe, and Rainbow Trout in Foil.
Now it’s time to make tilapia with this delicious garlic butter sauce, made with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Key Ingredients you need
Tilapia Filets: I’ve made this recipe with both fresh and frozen tilapia. If using frozen, be sure to thaw the fillets completely in the refrigerator first. I suggest rinsing the fillets under cold water. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
Garlic – I love freshly minced garlic for a richer, more fragrant flavor, fresh garlic is the way to go. It really makes the garlic butter sauce shine.
Unsalted butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter because it gives you more control over the saltiness of your gluten-free dish.
Lemon juice – I recommend using fresh lemon juice and not bottled, because fresh lemon juice has a brighter, more vibrant flavor that really enhances the dish. If you don’t have lemon, you can replace for lime juice too. Optional: use some lemon slices or lemon zest to garnish your fish.
How to Make Baked Tilapia Recipe
1. Pre-het the oven at 400ºF.
2. In a small bowl, add melt the butter, mince the garlic, onion powder, paprika, fresh parsley and lemon juice. Whisk until well combined, then set aside.
3. Grease a baking sheet and arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer. Then, season the white fish well with salt and pepper.
3. Next, pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the top of the fish. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. The cooking time depends on the size of the fillets. The fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. No need to flip.
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Recipe notes
- To check if your fish is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet. It should read an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F.
- You can broil this fish at the end if desired to give the tops a more golden finish.
What to serve with baked tilapia
Baked tilapia pairs well with roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans. You can also serve it with rice—white, brown, or lemon herb—or a fresh arugula salad for a lighter option.
For something heartier, mashed potatoes work great. A slice of crusty garlic bread is perfect to enjoy with the sauce. You can also make fish tacos with it. So good!
Baked Tilapia Recipe With Garlic Butter
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted melted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 fillets of tilapia
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease an 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray*. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, parsley, onion powder, paprika, garlic and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Season tilapia with salt and pepper, to taste and place onto the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the butter mixture over the tilapia fillets.
- Place into oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until tilapia flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately with rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potato, mashed cauliflower or roasted veggies.
Tips
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Linda Wise says
Excellent dish
Olivia Ribas says
Happy you liked it!
Rohit Kharat says
No temp
Olivia Ribas says
The temperature is on the first line of the recipe box.
Angela Navarrete says
It is so. Ease and soooooo delicious . Thank you very much.
Olivia Ribas says
You’re so welcome 😉
Taina Kingston says
Excellent! This is now added to my family recipes of frequently made meals!
Olivia Ribas says
This makes me so happy 😉
Beth Southerland says
This recipe is awesome!! It was a quick & easy weeknight prep but tasted gourmet. It was delicious, even our teen son loved it. I only added Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning dusted across the dish before baking. I shared this with family and friends. Highly recommend this!!
Olivia Ribas says
I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Adding Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning sounds like a delicious twist. It’s great to hear that even your teen son enjoyed it—that’s always a win! Thanks for sharing it with your family and friends, and for the awesome recommendation!
Zanariah Othman says
Great recipe. Simple to make but very tasty. On repeat. Always.
Olivia Ribas says
Happy to hear that 😉
Matthew Morland says
This recipe was fantastic, even my picky 8 yo liked it.
Olivia Ribas says
SO happy you and your son liked it!