Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia – A Light, Fresh, Flavorful Seafood Dinner Ready in Minutes

When it comes to weeknight meals that are simple, fast, healthy, and full of bright flavor, Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia is one of the most reliable recipes you can keep in your rotation. It’s everything home cooks love: a tender flaky fish, a buttery lemon-garlic sauce, minimal prep, and an oven-friendly cooking method that delivers perfect results every time. Whether you’re feeding your family, eating lighter, or trying to incorporate more seafood into your meals, this recipe is the perfect place to start.

Tilapia is a mild, delicate white fish that pairs beautifully with vibrant ingredients like lemon, garlic, and parsley. Because it cooks so quickly, it allows you to create a full, satisfying dinner in under 20 minutes — faster than takeout, healthier than a restaurant meal, and far more budget-friendly. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: just whisk a quick sauce, pour it over the fillets, and bake. No searing, no complicated steps, no special equipment.

The lemon garlic butter mixture melts down into the fish, infusing every bite with citrus brightness, savory garlic, and a silky texture that keeps the tilapia moist and flaky. A hint of paprika adds warmth and faint color, while fresh parsley finishes the dish with color and freshness. Served with rice, vegetables, pasta, salad, or roasted potatoes, it’s a complete and versatile dish that wins over even the pickiest eaters.

This FoodieMoms-style guide will walk you through everything — the ingredients, method, tips, helpful variations, serving suggestions, and a complete recipe JSON. You’ll be ready to make this recipe over and over again with confidence.

Why This Recipe Works

✓ Mild fish + bold flavors = perfect balance

Tilapia provides a clean canvas that lets lemon, garlic, and butter shine.

✓ Fast cooking time

Tilapia fillets bake quickly, making this ideal for busy nights.

✓ No marinating required

The sauce soaks into the fish while baking.

✓ Healthy but satisfying

Low-carb, high-protein, and rich with healthy fats.

✓ Pairs with almost anything

Rice, veggies, salads, pasta — you name it.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven:
   Heat oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Arrange fish:
   Place tilapia fillets in the dish in a single layer.
3. Make the sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, zest, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Pour over fish:
   Spoon or pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over each fillet.
5. Bake:
   Bake 12–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Broil (optional):
   For light browning, broil the top for 1–2 minutes.
7. Finish & serve:
   Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.

Baked Lemon Garlic Tilapia

A quick, healthy tilapia recipe baked in a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce. Tender, flaky, and ready in just 15 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 fillets

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Calories: 180

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp butter melted
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon juiced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped

Equipment

• Baking dish
• Small mixing bowl
• Whisk or fork

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Place tilapia fillets in the dish in a single layer.
3. Combine butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, zest, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the tilapia.
5. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the fish flakes easily.
6. Broil 1–2 minutes for light browning, if desired.
7. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.

Notes

Do not overbake — tilapia cooks quickly and stays tender when removed at 12–15 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Baked Tilapia

Don’t overbake

Tilapia cooks fast; check at 12 minutes to keep it moist and tender.

Use fresh garlic

It adds better flavor than jarred garlic.

Try adding shallots

For a slightly sweeter, more aromatic dish.

Use a shallow baking dish

Allows the sauce to surround the fish evenly.

Pat fish dry

Ensures the sauce sticks and flavors absorb better.

Flavor Variations

Herb Butter Tilapia

Add basil, thyme, or oregano to the sauce.

Spicy Lemon Tilapia

Add crushed red pepper or cayenne.

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Sprinkle grated Parmesan before baking.

Mediterranean Style

Add capers, olives, and cherry tomatoes.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Stir 2 tbsp heavy cream into the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• With rice (white, wild, brown, or lemon rice)
• With vegetables (broccoli, green beans, asparagus, zucchini)
• On pasta with the lemon-garlic butter spooned over
• With mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner
• As fish tacos using leftover pieces

This recipe is flexible and can easily be doubled or tripled for meal prep or gatherings.

Is Tilapia Healthy?

Tilapia is low in calories, high in protein, and rich in essential nutrients. It’s a smart option for families looking to include more seafood in their weekly meals without breaking the budget. It takes on any flavor you add, making it ideal for simple, flavorful recipes like this one.