Baked Tilapia Lemon Butter (Printable Version)

Tender tilapia fillets baked with a zesty lemon butter sauce for a bright, flavorful dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (about 5 ounces each)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Lemon Butter Sauce

04 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Garnish

09 - 4 thin lemon slices
10 - Extra chopped parsley (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the tilapia fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then place in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic until well combined.
04 - Pour the lemon butter sauce evenly over the tilapia fillets, ensuring each piece is well coated.
05 - Top each fillet with a thin lemon slice for presentation and additional citrus flavor.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Remove from the oven and garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan with minimal cleanup, which is the kind of luxury Tuesday nights deserve
  • The sauce transforms basic fish into something restaurant-worthy with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
  • Overcooking is the enemy here, check at 15 minutes even if you think it needs more time
  • Patting the fish dry seems tedious but it is actually what keeps the sauce from becoming watery
03 -
  • Room temperature fish cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it, otherwise you are fighting a losing battle

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