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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.
How much time for 8 filets ?
Same.
I’d double the time and recipe.
Doubling the time would make leather. If the fillets are still evenly spread out, add 1 minute if any at all.
Yes..actually same time and then maybe 5 more mins.
Yes, I agree, for the time as well, but it was delicious!
Very delicious! Easy to prepare, outstanding result. I served it with steamed broccoli and rice pilaf. Scrumptious!
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I mean… wow! I loved making this recipe. My family absolutely loved this Tilapia ❤️ Thank you.
Seriously delicious, easy to make. I had everything on hand. Loved everything about it. Thank you!
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
So easy and so delicious. Tilapia was on sale and totally made it with stuff i had on hand at home already.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Thanks so much, I couldn’t get the ingredients bu the meal was good.
Hi!
Toward the bottom of the post, there’s a recipe box/card with all the ingredients listed, plus the directions and nutritional analysis. You can either scroll down to get to the recipe card or, at the very top of the post click on “Jump to Recipe” and that will automatically scroll you down to the recipe card.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Can I prepare this the night before and leave in refrigerator until I’m ready to bake it the next night for dinner?
My advice would be to prepare the fish the night before, but make the butter sauce right before you are ready to bake.
Ok thank you!
Delicious with cod!
Amazing that something this simple could be so tasty! I did have to run out and buy a lemon, but it was worth it! This will be my go-to fish recipe. Thank you for sharing it with us
A-Mazing! I love when a recipe actually turns out as good as it looks on the photos. It’s about 50/50 these days. So easy and soooo flavorful! Will definitely make this again, saved!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Just wanted to say, I threw together this recipe quite haphazardly – and it was utterly delicious!
I had a large frozen filet that I didn’t even bother defrosting; just dropped it into an 8×8 glass baking dish (only size that fits in our countertop electric oven) with some olive oil, seasoned & sauced, covered with foil and baked maybe 20 mins at 400; perfectly tender and cooked through.
I subbed in lime juice and omitted lemon slices (for lack of lemon), cayenne for paprika, eyeballed the garlic from a jar of pre-minced, and added some lemon pepper and a splash of maple syrup. Served w/ sautéed broccoli & spruced up instant mashed potatoes – and I’m making this again tonight!! THANK YOU 👍
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Recipe saved! The whole family loved this quick and simple meal!
So you made a whole new recipe….congratulations…..eye roll
Ali,
Thank you! I was scrolling thru the comments hoping someone mentioned if defrosting is necessary. I’d rather not 😃
Im going to try the original recipe today but I love that you posted your variation created based on what you had on hand. I will be trying it in the future. I love recipes that you can tweak to your own needs or tastes.
Thanks for sharing!