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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.
Husband loved it! I sprinkled a bit of cayenne on his rather than using paprika
That sounds like a great twist! Glad he enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Very delicious recipe, but we cooked in the air fryer. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! 🙂
I’m 62 and have never been a fan of any baked fish Fried and blackened indeed but I tried your recipe today and I was short on several ingredients but it was delicious and I will definitely be making it again soon thank you for sharing your recipe!
It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the baked fish recipe, especially since you’re usually a fan of fried and blackened fish! Making do with what you have and still enjoying the meal is always a satisfying experience. I’m glad the recipe could be a part of your culinary adventures, and I look forward to hearing about your future experiences with it. Thanks for giving it a try!
Very tasty and simple. I used the sauce on both salmon and tilapia- baked the salmon 19 minutes, the tilapia 9 – and it was perfect.
I’m glad to hear it worked out so well with both types of fish! Sounds delicious! Thank YOU! 🙂
This recipe has become my “go to” for a quick and tasty weekday dinner time meal! I don’t have a lot of experience in the kitchen but following this recipe allows me make something my wife and I can both enjoy. Thanks!
That’s great to hear! I’m glad the recipe is easy to follow and you both enjoy it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It didn’t say when to add the oregano, thyme, and paprika. 😖
Yes, it does say when – it’s under step #1 in the recipe card.
This was really good! I soaked the talapia in milk for about 40 minutes before making (to remove the overt fishy taste), and made the dish as directed. It was mild, yet full of flavor. It’s been added to my rotation of meals!
I’m glad to hear the milk soak worked well for the tilapia, and you enjoyed the meal! It’s great that it’s earned a spot in your meal rotation. Thank YOU!! 🙂
Excellent so much that we are having it again this week. Full of flavor and moist. It really is easy and compliments the tilapia without being over bearing. This is a keeper.
It’s wonderful to hear the recipe was a hit and that you found it both flavorful and easy! Thank YOU! 🙂
I thought the recipe was delicious. I didn’t have all the ingredients (chile flakes or oregano) but still came out nice moist flaky. Next time I will cut back on butter though as it almost over powered the fish.
It’s great to hear you enjoyed the recipe even without chile flakes or oregano, and that it turned out moist and flaky! Adjusting the butter next time sounds like a good plan to perfectly balance the flavors. Thank YOU! 🙂
I left the lemon out but wow it is amazing
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂