Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia in a white casserole dish.

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Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia is a vibrant, low-carb main dish designed for speed and flavor. By roasting the fish at a high temperature (400°F) in a citrus-infused butter bath, the fillets remain succulent and opaque while absorbing extra flavor. Perfect for meal prep or a quick family dinner!

Prep Time8

Cook Time12

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: servings

Calories: 271kcal

Author: Nora from Savory Nothings

Ingredients

4 (6-oz) tilapia fillets
salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon ground paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic minced
1 lemon
lemon slices, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley optional for serving

Instructions

Prep:
 Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Get your ingredients ready.
Season fish: 
Pat dry tilapia with paper towels, then season all over with salt, pepper, paprika and oregano.
4 (6-oz) tilapia fillets, salt and pepper, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Make butter mixture: 
Place butter in a saucepan and melt over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic, ½ teaspoon grated zest from the lemon, and all of the juice from the lemon.
4 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic, 1 lemon
Bake: 
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes (exact timing depends of thickness of fish), or until the fish flakes and looks opaque.
Serve: 
Serve with sliced lemon, red pepper flakes and chopped parsley, if you like.
lemon slices, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley

Notes

Uniform Cooking Tip: If your fillets have a very thin "tail" end, fold the thin tip underneath itself to create an even thickness across the whole fillet. This prevents the edges from drying out before the center is fully cooked.
Pan Juice "Pan Sauce": After removing the fish from the dish, the remaining liquid may look separated. Give it a quick whisk directly in the baking dish for 10 seconds to re-emulsify the butter and lemon juice into a creamy sauce before spooning it over your side dishes.
The Broiler Finish: For a slightly "golden" look without overcooking the delicate interior, bake for 10 minutes, then switch the oven to Broil for the final 60–90 seconds. Watch it closely; you want the garlic bits to just turn golden brown.

Nutrition