Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia: 15-Min Joy

You know those nights? The ones where the clock seems to be ticking way too fast, and the thought of making dinner feels like climbing a mountain? I totally get it. For years, my kitchen felt more like a place of obligation than joy, a far cry from the amazing meals I wanted to share with loved ones – you can read a little more about my kitchen journey over on the About page! But then, discovering simple, crowd-pleasing dishes like this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia completely changed things for me. It’s amazing how a few good ingredients and a little bit of butter and garlic can turn a plain piece of fish into something truly special, perfect for those busy evenings when you just need a healthy, flavorful meal on the table, like, yesterday! It’s become my go-to for a reason. You can even see some of the joy I share over on Facebook!

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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Seriously, if you’re looking for those magical 20 minute dinners that actually taste good and are super easy, this is it! It’s perfect for any night of the week and honestly, even beginners will nail it. Plus, it’s just so good for you!

• Super Speedy: Ready in under 25 minutes, perfect for those weeknight recipes when you’re short on time.
• Effortlessly Easy: Minimal prep and one-pan cooking means less mess and stress.
• Incredible Flavor: That garlic butter and lemon combo is just heavenly!
• Healthy & Delicious: A fantastic way to get more healthy seafood onto your plate.
• Family Approved: Even the pickiest eaters usually gobble this up! Find more fun ideas on my weeknight dinner page.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Gathering up your ingredients is the super simple part of this whole Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia adventure! You’ll only need a few things you probably already have hanging out in your kitchen. Trust me, the less fuss, the better!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1.5 lbs tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (I like to mince mine super fine!)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

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Simple Steps for Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Okay, let’s get this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia party started! It’s honestly so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever bought fish from a restaurant. First things first, crank that oven up to a nice, hot 400°F (200°C). While it’s preheating, grab a baking sheet – I love using parchment paper for easy cleanup, but you do you! Lay your tilapia fillets out in a single layer. Now for the magic sauce: in a little bowl, whisk together that melted butter, olive oil, your minced garlic (don’t be shy with the garlic!), that splash of lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Seriously, this sauce is everything! Pour it all over the fish, making sure each fillet gets a good coating. Pop it in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for that fish to be opaque and to flake apart easily with a fork. That’s your cue! The internal temp should hit 145°F (63°C), and then BAM! You’ve got perfect Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia, ready to go. It’s truly one of my favorite easy oven dinners to whip up!

Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

You know, the absolute key to this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia is that it cooks SO fast. You really don’t want to overcook it, or it can turn a little dry, and we’re aiming for super moist and flaky fish here! The best way to tell when it’s done is pretty simple: the fish should be opaque all the way through, and it should flake apart easily when you gently poke it with a fork. If you have a thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). It’s that easy!

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Serving Suggestions for Your Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia is honestly fantastic on its own, but it’s even better with a few delicious sides! Since it’s such a light and healthy seafood dish, I love pairing it with some simple roasted vegetables. My maple glazed carrots are a total hit, or even just some simple broccoli or asparagus roasted right alongside the fish! For something fresh, a big, crisp salad is always great, or maybe some fluffy rice to soak up all that yummy garlic butter sauce. Some folks even love it with my crispy smashed potatoes!

Variations on Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

You know, one of the best things about this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia recipe is just how customizable it is! It’s already fantastic, but you can totally tweak it to make it your own. Want to add a little zing? Toss in some fresh dill or chives with the parsley. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, a pinch of red pepper flakes will give it a lovely subtle heat that pairs beautifully with the garlic and lemon. It’s all about making this simple, delicious fish your own!

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Storage and Reheating Your Baked Fish

Got some amazing Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia leftover? Lucky you! To keep it fresh, pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll hang out there nicely for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready for round two, just gently reheat it. The microwave is quick, but I find a little time in a low oven (like 300°F) or even a quick sauté in a pan works wonders to keep the fish from drying out compared to just zapping it!

Frequently Asked Questions about Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Got questions about whipping up this amazing Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia? I totally get it! It’s one of those recipes that seems almost too simple to be true, but trust me, it’s a winner every time. Let’s dive into a few things you might be wondering about! Remember, if you have any specific health concerns, it’s always a good idea to check out our site disclaimer.

Can I substitute other fish for tilapia in this recipe?

Absolutely! This garlic butter sauce is so versatile. I’ve used cod, haddock, and even salmon with great results. Just remember that different fish have different thicknesses, so keep an eye on the cooking time to ensure you get that perfect flaky fish.

What temperature should the fish reach?

You want your fish cooked through but still wonderfully moist. For any white fish, including tilapia, the magic number is 145°F (63°C) internal temperature. That’s when you know it’s perfectly done and ready to flake apart like a dream!

Is this recipe good for meal planning?

Oh, for sure! This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia is a total lifesaver for meal planning. You can easily prep the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then, when dinner rolls around, it’s just a matter of laying the fish out, tossing on the sauce, and baking. It really is one of those dream weeknight recipes for busy schedules! You can find more tips on how to make meal planning work for you right here!

Nutritional Information

Alright, let’s talk numbers for this glorious Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia! We all want delicious food that also makes us feel good, right? Keep in mind these figures are estimates, and they can wiggle around a bit depending on the exact butter you use or how many extra flakes of parsley you sprinkle in. For more details, you can always check out our privacy policy!

• Serving Size: 1 fillet
• Calories: Approx. 250
• Fat: Approx. 15g
• Protein: Approx. 25g
• Carbohydrates: Approx. 2g
• Sugar: Approx. 1g
• Sodium: Approx. 300mg

Share Your Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Creations!

I would absolutely LOVE to hear how your Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia turned out! Did your family gobble it up? Did you try any fun variations? Snap a pic and share it in the comments below, or even tag me on social media. It really makes my day to see your cooking wins, especially when it comes to easy family meals!

Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

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Enjoy this simple and flavorful garlic butter baked tilapia recipe, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s a healthy seafood option that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 25 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the tilapia fillets.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
6. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For a complete meal, serve with your favorite roasted vegetables or a side salad.
• This recipe is easily adaptable; feel free to add other herbs like dill or chives.
• Tilapia cooks quickly, so watch it closely to prevent overcooking.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 fillet
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg