Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

A quick, foolproof 15-minute dinner that’s both healthy and delicious

KEY INFO:

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 15-20 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary: Low-carb, Gluten-free, Pescatarian

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

9×13-inch baking dish (or foil-lined sheet pan)
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Measuring spoons
Garlic press (optional)

INGREDIENTS:

4 tilapia fillets (6 oz each), fresh or thawed
4 tbsp (60g) butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon (juice and zest)
Fresh parsley for garnish

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C
Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels until completely moisture-free
Place fillets in baking dish, ensuring they don’t overlap
Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano
In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and zest
Pour butter mixture evenly over fillets
Bake for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork
Fish is done when internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C

CRUCIAL TIPS:

Don’t overcook! Fish should be just opaque and flaky
Pat fish completely dry before seasoning
Allow butter to cool slightly before adding lemon juice to prevent separation
Keep fillets single-layered for even cooking

STORAGE:

Refrigerate up to 2 days in airtight container
Not recommended for freezing
Reheat gently at 300°F for 5-8 minutes

SCALING:

For 8 servings: Use two baking dishes to prevent overcrowding
Sauce can be doubled without adjusting cooking time

VARIATIONS:

Parmesan-Crusted: Add ¾ cup grated parmesan to butter mixture
Mediterranean: Add cherry tomatoes and olives before baking
Cajun-Style: Replace herbs with Cajun seasoning blend

COMMON MISTAKES:

Overcooking (leads to dry, rubbery fish)
Using too much lemon (overpowers delicate fish)
Not drying fish before seasoning
Overcrowding the pan

This recipe works perfectly for busy weeknights when you need a healthy, delicious meal in minutes. The garlic butter sauce is absolutely foolproof, and you’ll get restaurant-quality results every time.