Easy Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia Recipe

The aroma of melting garlic butter wafts through the kitchen, making your mouth water in anticipation of a delicious dish. The tender tilapia fillets basking in a golden pool of garlic goodness are begging to be devoured.

Picture this: It’s a hectic Wednesday evening. You’ve just returned from work, and the last thing you want is to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Enter Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia! This dish comes to the rescue with its simple preparation and delightful flavor that will make you feel like a culinary superstar.

I still remember the first time I made this dish. My friends were visiting after ages, and I wanted to impress them without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. The moment they took their first bite of my tilapia masterpiece, their eyes widened in delight—definitely a moment worth cherishing!

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Tilapia Fillets: Choose fresh or frozen fillets; they cook quickly and soak up flavors beautifully.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds incredible depth; it’s essential for that rich buttery taste.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over seasoning; it enhances flavors without overpowering them.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish; go for real lemons instead of bottled juice.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and freshness; it makes everything look more appealing on your plate.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring all flavors together; don’t skip these!

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it Together

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step ensures even cooking and helps achieve that lovely golden crust on your tilapia.

Prepare Your Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly with nonstick spray or a bit of olive oil. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier later.

Melt That Butter!: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter until bubbly but not browned. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant—about one minute will do.

Add Lemon Juice & Seasonings: Pour fresh lemon juice into the melted butter mixture along with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir so everything blends together nicely.

Coat the Tilapia Fillets: Place your tilapia fillets in the prepared baking dish. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over each filet so they’re well-coated—this is where magic happens!

Bake & Garnish!: Bake in preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top before serving.

Enjoy this simple yet elegant dish that transforms any ordinary dinner into something special!

Now that you’ve mastered Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia, you might find yourself concocting new variations! Swap out herbs or add some spices based on what you have on hand—this recipe can easily take on different personalities while keeping its core deliciousness intact. Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the tilapia while the oven warms up for efficiency.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap tilapia for other white fish or add fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor.

Storing & Reheating

Store leftover tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven to keep it flaky.

There was this one time when I made Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia for my best friend’s birthday. She raved about it all night, claiming she’d never tasted anything so delicious!

FAQ

What sides pair well with Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia?

Steamed vegetables or rice complement the dish beautifully without overwhelming flavors.

Can I use frozen tilapia for this recipe?

Yes, just ensure it’s fully thawed before seasoning and baking.

How do I know when the tilapia is done cooking?

The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when fully cooked.

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Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia

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• Author: Doorecipes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

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Description

A delightful, quick dish where tender tilapia fillets are enveloped in rich garlic butter, bringing restaurant-quality flavor to your busy weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves fresh minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Lightly grease a baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.
3. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter until bubbly. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
4. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the butter mixture; stir well to combine.
5. Place tilapia fillets in the baking dish and pour the garlic butter mixture over them evenly.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Seafood

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 tilapia fillet (113g)
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Substitute tilapia with any white fish of your choice for variety. Enhance flavor by mixing in herbs like dill or thyme for an extra twist.