Simple oven-baked tilapia with bright lemon and garlic butter
Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4
4 fillets
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia
Simple oven-baked tilapia with bright lemon and garlic butter
★4.3(9)
Tender tilapia fillets baked in a lemon garlic butter sauce until flaky and golden, ready in just 20 minutes for the easiest weeknight fish dinner.
5m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
20m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
When you need dinner on the table fast with minimal cleanup, baked tilapia is your best friend. This recipe takes mild, affordable tilapia and elevates it with a quick lemon garlic butter sauce that keeps the fish incredibly moist while adding layers of bright, savory flavor.
Everything goes into one baking dish, making this practically a sheet-pan dinner. The tilapia bakes in a pool of melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice, basting itself as it cooks. In 15 minutes, you have perfectly flaky fish with a built-in sauce. Pair it with steamed broccoli and rice for a complete meal that even the pickiest eaters will love.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (5-6 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- 2
Combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and paprika in a small bowl.
- 3
Arrange tilapia fillets in the baking dish in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the butter mixture evenly over the fish.
- 4
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- 5
Optional: switch the oven to broil and cook 1-2 minutes until the top is lightly golden.
- 6
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Substitutions
TilapiaSole, flounder, or swai
Any thin, mild white fish works with this cooking method
ButterOlive oil or ghee
Olive oil makes it dairy-free while ghee offers a nuttier flavor
Italian seasoningHerbs de Provence
A slightly different but equally delicious herb blend
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Do not overbake tilapia — it goes from perfectly done to dry very quickly. Start checking at 12 minutes.
Line the baking dish with foil for even easier cleanup.
For extra flavor, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the fillets before baking.
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Tilapia reheats better than most fish due to its mild flavor.
Reheating
Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or gently in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 fillet) · 4 servings
Calories200
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein28g
Carbohydrates1g
Fat9g
Fiber0g
Sugar0g
Sodium340mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is tilapia a healthy fish?
- Yes, tilapia is a lean source of protein with low calories and fat. It is also mild enough for people who think they do not like fish.
- Can I use frozen tilapia?
- Thaw completely before cooking for the best results. Frozen tilapia baked from frozen will release excess water and will not brown properly.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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