Description
Succulent garlic butter oven baked tilapia mingles Mediterranean flavors with simple home cooking elegance. Crisp herb-infused edges and buttery flakes promise a quick, delightful seafood experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 1.5 lbs / 680 grams total)
Butter and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 400F (200C). Create a non-stick surface in a baking dish using a light coating of oil or parchment paper.
- Craft a flavorful sauce by combining melted butter with finely chopped garlic, tangy lemon juice, warming paprika, savory salt, cracked black pepper, and aromatic Italian seasoning in a small mixing bowl.
- Arrange the tilapia fillets in the prepared baking dish, ensuring each piece receives an even, generous coating of the garlic butter mixture. Gently brush the sauce across the fish, allowing the flavors to penetrate the delicate flesh.
- Transfer the seasoned fillets to the preheated oven and roast for 12-15 minutes. Watch for visual cues of doneness: the fish should become opaque and easily separate when prodded with a fork. Adjust cooking time slightly for thicker fillets, which may require up to 18 minutes.
- Once perfectly cooked, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Enhance the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the fish. Accompany the dish with bright, zesty lemon wedges to allow diners to add an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden exterior and prevent excess moisture during baking.
- Use room temperature butter for better sauce absorption and more even coating on the fish.
- Choose fresh garlic cloves instead of pre-minced for a more vibrant, robust flavor profile in the garlic butter sauce.
- For a low-carb and gluten-free option, replace butter with olive oil and add extra herbs like dill or thyme for enhanced taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg