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Need a fresh, tasty dinner that comes together real fast? Then you’ll love my easy Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia. Seasoned with a classic blend of lemon, garlic, melted butter, and paprika, this simple dinner really hits the spot! And, it’s all done in just 20 minutes.
FLAKY GARLIC BUTTER BAKED TILAPIA
There are so many great recipes for baked fish out there, but I really love this one because, it doesn’t require any mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, parmesan, or other toppings. All you need is lemon, garlic, and butter. Super simple, low carb, gluten free, Keto-friendly, AND flavorFUL. Even picky eaters love this tasty fish fillet recipe.
BUT, if you’re looking for a rich and creamy fish recipe, you have to try my Skillet Tilapia with Creamy Lemon Sauce. 😋
IS FRESH OR FROZEN TILAPIA BEST?
In general, if you have access to fish that has been freshly caught, cleaned, and put up for sale within about 48 hours, then that’s your absolute best bet for quality. Other than that, the likelihood is that any fish you buy has been frozen at some point in order to keep it fresh for transport.
Frozen fish is also processed and frozen quickly after the catch. So you can feel confident that the fish in the freezer case is, in most cases, just as good as the fish at the counter, and maybe even better!
IS TILAPIA HEALTHY?
While wild-caught fish is generally thought to be the healthiest, many food experts say that properly farmed fish is very healthy, and that includes tilapia! Tilapia is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and is a good source of protein.
However, some sources of tilapia are better than others, so be sure to check out the source’s reputation, standards, and the kind of feed they use for their fish.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- Tilapia Fillets: This recipe uses four medium-sized fillets.
- Salt and Pepper
- Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano, and Ground Paprika: Use regular paprika, not hot or smoked paprika.
- Butter: You’ll need 4 tablespoons, melted.
- Fresh Garlic: Mince the garlic or put it through a garlic press.
- Fresh Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest: You’ll need two tablespoons of juice and ¼ teaspoon of zest.
- Lemon Slices, Red Pepper Flakes, and Chopped Parsley: For garnish.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED TILAPIA
- Prepare the Tilapia Fillets. Season tilapia with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano; arrange fish in a 9×13 baking dish. In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest; pour over tilapia.
- Bake the Fillets. Bake tilapia for 10 to 12 minutes, or until fish flakes and is fork-tender.
- Serve! Garnish with pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon slices and enjoy!
HOW LONG TO BAKE TILAPIA
If you haven’t baked tilapia before you may be wondering how to do it properly. Here are a few quick tips for the best baked tilapia:
- Like most fish fillets, tilapia cooks up pretty quickly! You’ll want to check on it as soon as it’s been in the oven for 10 minutes, or even sooner if your oven runs hot.
- The fillets are done when they flake easily with a fork (but aren’t dry).
- If you’re using a meat thermometer, insert it sideways into the thickest part of the fillet. The temperature should be 145°F.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- A Smashing Side: Tender potatoes go wonderfully with baked fish, so I like serving these yummy fillets with a side of my Crispy Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Add a green salad, and dinner’s done!
- A Gift of Goodness: You can also get your veggies and starch all baked up at once with these lovely parchment packages: try my Spring Vegetables and Potatoes Baked in Parchment. Feel free to substitute whatever veggies are freshest in your area.
- Sweets to the Sweet: For a sweet follow-up, try serving some Creamy Keto Chocolate Mousse or a plate of My Family’s Traditional Baklava. So amazing!
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS
- To refrigerate, store cooled leftover fillets in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, place leftover fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet or platter. Freeze until frozen solid. Then transfer the frozen fillets into freezer bags and push out as much air as possible before sealing. The fillets will keep in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
- To reheat, first thaw the fish (if frozen). Then place the fillets at room temperature while the oven preheats to 350°F. Arrange the fillets in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through. The fish’s texture may be less moist after storing and reheating.
More Fish Recipes
ENJOY!
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GARLIC BUTTER OVEN BAKED TILAPIA
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper,, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 tablespoons butter,, melted
- 4 cloves garlic,, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 lemon,, sliced into rounds, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes,, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley,, for garnish
- Lemon slices,, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Season tilapia with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano; arrange fish in a 9x13 baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest; pour over tilapia.
- Bake tilapia for 10 to 12 minutes, or until fish flakes and is fork-tender.
- Garnish with pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon slices. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I replaced butter with olive oil and my wife liked it better like that.
Family LOVED this. I got mmmm’s and yumm’s. Easy to make as well. I didn’t even bother with the lemon zest due to lack of time.
Turned out awesome! Made with some lentils and brussel sprouts. Yum!
Go to recipe for a tasty quick meal
Easy, quick and delicious! The paprika gives it great color. Our cooking is simple. Paired with green peas, rice and gravy, it made a colorful plate.
Such a delicious and easy meal. I added spinach, broccoli, fried potato cubes and bell pepper as the base and it was delicious.
Im starting a new healthy trend with my family, I found this recipe while searching on ways to make tilapia using the flavors we are used to. I made this dish last night and it was amazing. I have four children most with texture issues and one son is not an huge fish eater or veggie eater, but he ate twice!
He loved it! I seasoned the fish as instructed and could only use the lemon juice when I realized I had no lemons, lol. The sides were sautéed broccoli (in olive oil and garlic and a bit of chicken stock) and also baby potatoes (seasoned with Italian seasoning, thyme, olive oil, some salt and pepper and some garlic and onion powder). It was the best!
I recommend this recipe to anyone that wants to make this meal, it’s a time saver and the meal is delish! Thank you for shari g this recipe with us!
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m very happy you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Love the simple yet delicious flavors of this recipe .,, I put it over steamed brown rice and let the butter sauce flavor the rice!! For sure going to make it again !
That’s wonderful! I’m very happy you loved it! Thank YOU! 🙂
So delicious and easy to make! Enjoyed it with rice and salad on the side. The whole family loved it!!!
My husband loves fish and he says this is the BEST he’s ever eaten!