Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. This tender fish is infused with rich garlic butter and a hint of lemon, making it both simple and delicious.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets (6 oz each)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in minced garlic and simmer until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and mix well.
4. Step 4: Place tilapia fillets in the baking dish and drizzle half of the garlic butter over them. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Step 6: Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the cooked fillets and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter before baking.
• Swap tilapia with other white fish like cod or haddock if preferred.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or a side of rice to complete the meal.

Storage

Store any leftover tilapia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes to avoid drying out the fish.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tilapia fillets for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry to remove excess moisture before baking for best results.

How do I know when the tilapia is fully cooked?

The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through. This usually takes 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 132 reviews

• Author: Simon
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is a flavorful and easy-to-make seafood recipe featuring tender tilapia fillets baked to perfection with a rich garlic butter sauce, fresh lemon juice, and parsley. It’s a healthy, quick dinner option packed with delicious, buttery garlic notes and a bright citrus finish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fish

• 4 tilapia fillets (6 oz each)

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Seasoning

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Nonstick cooking spray (for baking dish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the tilapia.
2. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the fillets from sticking.
3. Melt Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and simmer gently for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix well to combine the flavors.
4. Assemble Fillets: Place the tilapia fillets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle half of the garlic butter sauce over the fillets, then season them with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Bake Fish: Bake the tilapia in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is fully cooked.
6. Finish and Garnish: Once baked, drizzle the remaining garlic butter sauce over the cooked fillets. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top to garnish before serving for added freshness and color.

Notes

• Ensure the tilapia fillets are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
• Cooking times may vary slightly depending on oven accuracy and fillet thickness.
• Fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used as a substitute if needed.
• For a crispier top, you can broil the fillets for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
• This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Garlic Butter Tilapia, Baked Tilapia, Easy Fish Recipe, Garlic Butter Fish, Oven Baked Seafood