Easy Baked Tilapia with Lemon Garlic Butter: A Quick, Healthy Weeknight Dinner Favorite

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

When life gets busy and you need dinner on the table fast — without sacrificing flavor — this Easy Baked Tilapia with Lemon Garlic Butter becomes a true kitchen hero. It’s simple, light, flavorful, and requires almost zero effort. With minimal ingredients and a total cook time under 20 minutes, this dish proves that healthy eating doesn’t need to be complicated or bland.

Tilapia is one of the easiest and most versatile fish fillets to cook. Its mild flavor and tender texture make it the perfect canvas for bold, bright seasonings — especially the classic combination of lemon, garlic, and melted butter. This trio creates a sauce that is rich but refreshing, indulgent but not heavy, and always satisfying.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping meals for the week, or just craving something light and flavorful, this lemon garlic baked tilapia is the perfect solution. It’s gluten-free, low-carb, beginner-friendly, and pairs beautifully with rice, vegetables, salads, and pastas. And because tilapia cooks so quickly, you can easily turn it into a nutritious dinner even on your busiest evenings.

Below, you’ll find everything needed to create the perfect baked tilapia: full instructions, tips, serving ideas, variations, and a complete recipe breakdown.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✓ Fast — Ready in Under 20 Minutes

Tilapia cooks incredibly quickly, making this ideal for busy weeknights.

✓ Healthy & Light

High in protein, low in fat, and packed with fresh citrus and herbs.

✓ Budget-Friendly

Tilapia is one of the most affordable fish options.

✓ Beginner-Friendly

Even someone who has never cooked fish can make this perfectly on the first try.

✓ Pairs with Everything

Rice, vegetables, potatoes, pasta — it works with all of them.

Ingredients Overview

Tilapia Fillets

A mild white fish that bakes quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully.

Butter

Creates a silky, rich lemon–garlic sauce that melts over the fish.

Fresh Garlic

The aromatic heart of this recipe — savory, bold, and irresistible.

Lemon Juice + Lemon Slices

Adds brightness, acidity, and a clean citrus finish.

Olive Oil

Helps the fish bake evenly and prevents sticking.

Seasonings

Salt, pepper, paprika, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.

Fresh Parsley

Adds color and a fresh finishing touch.

Ingredients (as used in JSON)

  • 4 tilapia fillets
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon slices for garnish

Easy Baked Tilapia with Lemon Garlic Butter

A quick, flavorful, and healthy baked tilapia recipe featuring a bright lemon garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210

Ingredients
  

Tilapia
  • 4 fillets tilapia fresh or thawed
  • 3 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • lemon slices for garnish

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
  2. Pat tilapia dry and place in the baking dish. Season with salt.
  3. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and black pepper.
  4. Pour the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the tilapia fillets.
  5. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  6. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden top.
  7. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.

Notes

If fillets are thick, add 2–3 extra minutes of baking time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with foil or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the Tilapia

Pat fillets dry with paper towels. This helps seasonings stick and prevents steaming.

3. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, and black pepper.

4. Season the Fish

Place tilapia in the baking dish and sprinkle with salt. Pour lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over the fillets.

5. Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes, depending on fillet thickness, until fish flakes easily with a fork.

6. Optional Broil

Broil for 1–2 minutes for a lightly golden top.

7. Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices.

Tips for Perfect Baked Tilapia

1. Don’t Overcook It

Tilapia cooks fast. Check at 10 minutes; it should flake easily but still be moist.

2. Use Fresh Lemon

Bottled lemon juice works, but fresh gives far superior flavor.

3. Add Spice If You Like Heat

A pinch of crushed red pepper or cayenne is delicious.

4. Thaw Completely If Frozen

Frozen fish retains extra water and affects texture.

Variations

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan before baking.

Cajun Lemon Tilapia

Replace paprika with Cajun seasoning for bold flavor.

Garlic Herb Butter Tilapia

Add thyme, dill, or basil to the melted butter.

Mediterranean Style

Add cherry tomatoes, capers, and olives before baking.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over rice pilaf or garlic butter rice
  • Pair with roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli
  • Add to pasta with extra lemon butter
  • Serve with a crisp green salad
  • Add to meal prep bowls with quinoa

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Up to 3 days
Freezer: Up to 1 month
Reheat:

  • In microwave, 20–30 seconds at a time
  • Or oven at 300°F until warmed through

Avoid overheating, as fish becomes dry quickly.

Leave a Reply