Best Lemon Butter Tilapia

Growing up, fish was always a mystery in our kitchen. My mom would buy those frozen fish sticks, and that was about as adventurous as we got. The idea of cooking fresh fish felt intimidating – like something only fancy restaurants could do right.

But here’s the thing about tilapia – it’s actually one of the easiest fish to cook at home. Add some lemon and butter, and you’ve got a dish that’s both simple and good. I wish someone had told my mom about this years ago instead of leaving us with those breaded rectangles from the freezer aisle.

What Kind of Tilapia Should I Use?

Fresh tilapia is great for this recipe, but frozen fillets work just as well since they’re usually flash-frozen right after being caught. When shopping, look for fillets that are firm and have a mild, clean smell – any fishy odor is a red flag. If you’re buying frozen tilapia, check that the package is completely frozen with no signs of freezer burn or ice crystals. While wild-caught tilapia can be hard to find, both farm-raised and wild-caught options will work nicely in this lemon butter sauce. Just make sure your fillets are similar in size so they cook evenly, and pat them dry with paper towels before cooking for the best results.

Options for Substitutions

This simple fish recipe works well with several substitutions if you need to switch things up:

• Tilapia: Don’t have tilapia? Other mild white fish like cod, halibut, or sole work great here. Just watch the cooking time – thicker fillets might need an extra minute or two.
• Butter: You can swap the butter with olive oil for a different flavor profile. If using salted butter instead of unsalted, just reduce the added salt by half.
• Fresh lemon: In a pinch, you can use 2-3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice, though fresh is better. Orange or lime can also work for a different citrus twist.
• Fresh parsley: Out of fresh parsley? Use 1 teaspoon dried parsley, or try other fresh herbs like dill or chives.
• Fresh garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Pre-minced garlic from a jar works too – use about 2 teaspoons.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when cooking tilapia is overcooking the fish, which can turn this tender fillet into a tough, rubbery disappointment – the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, usually taking just 3-4 minutes per side. Another common error is not patting the fish dry before cooking, which prevents that perfect golden crust from forming and can make the fish steam instead of sear. To get the most flavor from your lemon butter sauce, avoid the temptation to add the garlic too early as it can burn quickly – instead, add it during the last minute of cooking, and squeeze the fresh lemon juice at the very end to maintain its bright flavor. For the best results, let your fish rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the fillet before serving.

What to Serve With Lemon Butter Tilapia?

This light and buttery fish dish pairs perfectly with simple sides that won’t overpower its gentle lemon-garlic flavor. Rice pilaf or couscous makes an excellent base that soaks up all that tasty butter sauce, while steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli adds a nice green element to the plate. For a complete meal, I like to serve it with a fresh green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette – the acidity complements the lemon in the fish really well. If you’re feeling fancy, some roasted baby potatoes seasoned with herbs make a great addition too!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover tilapia? Place it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days. The lemon butter sauce might solidify a bit in the cold, but don’t worry – that’s totally normal!

Make Ahead: While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prep ahead by mixing the lemon butter sauce and storing it separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook, just let the sauce come to room temperature and proceed with the recipe.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover tilapia, gently warm it in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until just heated through. You can also warm it in a covered skillet over low heat. Just be careful not to overheat, as fish can dry out quickly!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	22-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 900-1000
• Protein: 90-95 g
• Fat: 60-65 g
• Carbohydrates: 5-10 g

Ingredients

• Four 6-ounce tilapia fillets (1.5 pounds total)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 medium-sized lemon
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).

While the oven is heating, take paper towels to pat dry the fish fillets thoroughly.

Arrange the fillets in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish, ensuring they are not overlapping for even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon

Cut a lemon in half and juice and zest one of the halves.

You should get approximately 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of lemon zest.

Slice the other half of the lemon into thin, even slices.

Set these aside as they will be used as a garnish later.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter

In a small bowl, melt butter using the microwave or stovetop.

Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the prepared lemon juice and lemon zest, parsley, and crushed garlic.

This concoction will be your flavor-packed marinade for the fish.

Step 4: Brush and Season the Fish

Using a brush, generously coat the tilapia fillets with the garlic lemon butter.

Season each side of the fillets with sea salt and black pepper.

Flip the fillets over and repeat the coating and seasoning process.

Arrange the lemon slices over the fish for additional flavor and presentation appeal.

Step 5: Bake the Fish

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the tilapia for 12-15 minutes.

The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.

You’ll know the fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked to perfection, remove the fish from the oven and allow it a brief moment to cool slightly before serving.

Pair with your choice of sides for a delightful meal!