Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia (Printable Version)
Flaky tilapia baked with lemon garlic butter, fresh herbs, and a citrus garnish for bright flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Tilapia and Seasoning
01 -
1.5 pounds tilapia fillets (3 to 4 pieces)
02 -
1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
03 -
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes
→ Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
04 -
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
05 -
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)
06 -
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
07 -
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 -
1/2 teaspoon paprika
→ Garnish
09 -
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves (from 5 sprigs)
10 -
Lemon wedges, for serving
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Heat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, blend melted butter, lemon juice, chopped garlic, dried thyme, paprika, and black pepper until uniformly mixed.
02 -
Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season evenly on both sides with kosher salt. Arrange fillets in a 9x13 inch baking dish, allowing slight overlap if necessary.
03 -
Spoon the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the fillets, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
04 -
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until fish is opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and is fully cooked.
05 -
Remove from oven. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the fillets. Serve with the buttery sauce and lemon wedges for added citrus flavor.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Use fresh parsley for vibrant flavor and lemon wedges for a bright finish.