Baked Tilapia Lemon Butter (Printable)
Tender tilapia fillets cooked in a bright lemon butter sauce, perfect for a quick main course.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 tilapia fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each)
→ Lemon Butter Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
04 - 1 tsp lemon zest
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1/4 tsp paprika
08 - 1/4 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon slices, for serving
11 - Additional chopped parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and place evenly in the prepared dish.
03 - Combine melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl; whisk until blended.
04 - Pour the lemon butter sauce evenly over the tilapia fillets.
05 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Garnish with lemon slices and additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Dinner goes from fridge to table in half an hour without any fuss or complicated steps.
- The lemon butter sauce does all the work, keeping the fish moist and bright without overwhelming it.
- It feels like restaurant quality but uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.
02 -
- Drying the fillets before baking is not optional. I skipped it once and ended up with a watery puddle instead of a sauce.
- Check the fish at 15 minutes if your fillets are thin. Overcooked tilapia turns rubbery fast, and there's no going back.
03 -
- A sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top before baking adds a savory crust that's completely worth the extra step.
- Use a meat thermometer if you're unsure. Fish is perfectly cooked at 63°C (145°F) internal temperature.