Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia

4.74 from 654 votes
Pin RecipeJump to RecipeComments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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. 

tilapia fillet topped with herbs and lemon slices

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!

overhead shot of baked tilapia in baking dish topped with garlic and lemon slices

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.

pouring melted butter over fish fillets

HOW TO MAKE BAKED TILAPIA

  1. 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.
  2. Bake the Fillets. Bake tilapia for 10 to 12 minutes, or until fish flakes and is fork-tender.
  3. Serve! Garnish with pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon slices and enjoy!

white baking dish with raw tilapia fillets in garlic butter sauce

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.

overhead shot of baked tilapia in baking dish topped with garlic and lemon slices

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

close up shot of baked tilapia in garlic butter sauce

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!

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It
4.74 from 654 votes

GARLIC BUTTER OVEN BAKED TILAPIA

Light, nutritious tilapia fillets are seasoned with garlic, butter, and lemon and baked to perfection.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

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
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

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

NET CARBS: 3 g

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 473IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

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.

Did you make a recipe? Leave a rating
 
4.74 from 654 votes (490 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating:




366 Comments

  1. Mary says:

    Can u use other fish for this recipe

    1. Katerina says:

      Hi!
      Yes, you can try it with cod or halibut. Other white fish fillets will also work, but those two hold up better in the oven.

  2. Julia says:

    Easy quick and delish. Filling.

    1. Katerina says:

      I’m glad you found it easy, quick, and delicious! It’s always great when a meal is filling too. Enjoy! Thank YOU!! 🙂

  3. Christy says:

    Very good and so simple ever I can make it. 12 minutes was right on for us!

    1. Katerina says:

      I’m glad to hear it turned out so well and was easy to make! It’s great that the 12-minute cooking time worked perfectly for you. Enjoy! Thank YOU! 🙂

  4. Mandi says:

    This recipe was a hit! Thanks for sharing. Definitely adding it to my dinner rotation.

    1. Katerina says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  5. Myra Glenn says:

    This was the best Tilapia I’ve ever had or made. The Flavors were outstanding together.

    1. Katerina says:

      That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you loved it. Thanks for the kind words! 🙂

  6. PW says:

    This was so easy to make. I purchased Trader Joe’s vacuum packed frozen tilapia which was farm-raised. The tilapia had no fishy smell nor did it taste fishy and the sauce made it fantastic! Hubby even commented and said if he ordered it at a high-end restaurant, he wouldn’t be disappointed. I served it with rice pilaf and buttered brown sugar coated carrots. It turned out great. This is a keeper recipe.

    1. Katerina says:

      That sounds like a delicious meal! I’m so glad to hear the tilapia and sauce turned out perfectly, and that your husband enjoyed it too. Rice pilaf and buttered brown sugar carrots make the perfect sides. Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂

  7. QUESTION! says:

    can you cook this from frozen or do you have to thaw the files before seasoning them?

    1. Katerina says:

      Yes, it would be best to thaw them for the seasoning to adhere to the fish.

  8. NL says:

    I really liked it, simple, easy, and heathy! Thank you!

    1. Katerina says:

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Simple, easy, and healthy is a winning combination. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂

  9. Karen p says:

    A lovely fish dish that I would recommend. I’d never had Talapia before and was pleasantly surprised. A firm fish that is ideal for this recipe with the added flavours resulting in a tasty dish. I am going to try Sea Bass next time as I think any firmer fish will work well!

    1. Katerina says:

      I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Tilapia dish and found a new favorite! Sea Bass sounds like a great choice for next time; its firm texture should pair wonderfully with the flavors. Thank YOU! 🙂

  10. Peter Farnsworth says:

    Haven’t made it yet, but will tonight. The images look like the Tilapia is swimming in a sauce. Will the butter and lemon juice be enough to create the effect in the images? Thanks.

    1. Katerina says:

      Hi!
      I cook and photograph all the recipes myself, and the photos genuinely reflect the finished dish. The butter and lemon juice, when combined with the juices released by the Tilapia during cooking, will create a light sauce similar to what you see in the images.