Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

Garlic butter baked tilapia 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 other fish recipes that use the same garlic butter sauce like my Simple Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe, Garlic Butter Cod, and Garlic Butter Rainbow Trout in Foil.

I love fish especially salmon and tilapia. They go with everything, like in my Easy Chopped Salmon Salad. I love tilapia because it’s such a versatile fish because it’s neutral in flavor, which means it takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with.

For this baked tilapia recipe, the tilapia is cooked in a simple and delicious garlic butter sauce made with a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

What’s great about this sauce is that it can be used for just about any protein you want to make.

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

• Tilapia filets – Use either fresh or frozen. Be sure to completely thaw frozen fillets in the refrigerator before using in this recipe. Wash tilapia filets with water and pat them dry using a paper towel.  
• Fresh parsley – I prefer using fresh parsley but if you only have dried herbs, you can use that. Feel free to swap for fresh basil instead.
• Garlic – I love freshly minced garlic. You can use garlic powder if needed.
• Unsalted butter – For paleo or Whole30, use ghee instead. Any vegan butter alternative will work as well.
• Lemon juice – I recommend using fresh lemon juice and not bottled. If you don’t have lemon, you can use lime juice too. Optional: use some lemon slices or lemon zest to garnish your fish.
• Spices: onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Sometimes I like to add a little bit of Italian seasoning too. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to give the dish a little bit of heat. 

To quickly thaw frozen tilapia fillets for this recipe, you can submerge the fillets in cold water for 30 minutes until the fish is no longer frozen. Be sure to pat dry the fillets if there is moisture on it. This helps the seasoning and garlic butter stick onto the fillets better.

What does tilapia taste like?

Tilapia is a very mild and flakey white fish so it doesn’t have a fishy taste to it. Due to how mild it is, it takes on flavour really well, like the garlic butter that I use here.

Is tilapia healthy?

Just like salmon, tilapia is protein-packed and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients. I would call this a healthy fish to enjoy!

How to make garlic butter baked tilapia

This garlic butter tilapia recipe couldn’t be any simpler – just bake the fish in a homemade butter sauce until done!

While there is a little bit of prep work, the tilapia only takes about 10 minutes to bake.

Mix together butter sauce

1. Melt the butter or ghee, mince the garlic, and chop the fresh parsley.
2. Next, combine them in a small bowl with the onion powder, paprika, and lemon juice.
3. Whisk until well combined, then set aside.

Season the fish

1. Grease a baking dish and lay the tilapia fillets inside in a single layer.
2. Then, season the fish well with salt and pepper.

Bake and serve

1. Next, pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the top of the fish.
2. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the fish is done. It will be an opaque white color instead of translucent and will flake easily with a fork.
3. Serve immediately with your sides of choice and enjoy!

What to serve with baked tilapia

Because this garlic butter tilapia recipe has such simple, classic flavors, the side dish options are endless! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Rice or cauliflower rice
• Mashed potato
• Tossed green salad or cherry tomatoes salad.
• Roasted veggies
• Pasta
• Butternut or acorn squash

Storage Tips

• Leftovers — Transfer leftover tilapia to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, portion them out into meal prep containers to have for lunches throughout the week.
• Freezer — You can freeze cooked tilapia by placing completely cooled tilapia in an airtight freezer-friendly container or freezer bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating —  You can heat the leftover tilapia in the microwave. Add a splash of water if you’re worried it will dry out. You can also reheat this on the stovetop. Add some olive oil to a hot pan and add the tilapia to it. Cook until heated through.

Other fish recipes to try

There’s no reason simple dishes can’t be delicious. However, if you want something a little more complex, try one of these other recipes:

• Dijon Mustard Salmon: Dijon mustard salmon is quick, easy, and full of flavor. Make this recipe tonight for a meal that goes from oven to table in just 15 minutes and it only requires few ingredients.
• Easy Grilled Fish Tacos: This grilled fish taco comes together so quickly and is the perfect summertime meal!
• Cajun Salmon with Strawberry Salsa: This Cajun Salmon with Strawberry Salsa is a perfect summer lunch or light dinner to enjoy during the week. It’s easy to make, gluten-free, Whole30, and paleo-friendly.
• Pomegranate Glazed Salmon: The easiest 4-Ingredient Pomegranate Glazed Salmon you will ever make. It only requires 4-ingredient and the glaze has no added sugar, but has a delicious tangy flavor!
• Salmon Chopped Salad Recipe: This Salmon Chopped Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, packed with protein, healthy fats and it’s flavoured with lemon vinaigrette.

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