Freshwater fish like tilapia can taste a bit plain, especially if you don’t season it well. But that’s also what makes it so easy to cook—it doesn’t overpower the flavors, so you can really play around with your seasoning. In this recipe, I use tilapia, which is perfect for both kids and adults since it’s easy to eat with no bones to worry about. Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia is a great choice if you’re craving something healthy but still full of flavor. The lemon gives it a nice tang, while the butter adds richness, making it the perfect combo of fresh, herby goodness in this tilapia recipe.

Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia Speedy Recipe

Lemon and Butter

Lemon and butter work wonders on tilapia! The lemon adds that fresh, zesty kick that really wakes up the flavor, while the butter makes everything super rich and smooth. It’s like the perfect balance—zesty but not too much, creamy but not heavy. Together, they bring out the best in Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia without making it feel too heavy or overpowering. It’s a simple combo that really does the trick!

How to Cook Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia

Baked lemon butter tilapia is a speedy option to make for dinner. It takes less than 20 minutes to create a delicious baked fish dish that you can serve

Preheat the Oven to 400°F – Start by setting your oven to 400°F. This is the perfect temperature for baking tilapia, without drying out.
Season the Tilapia Fillets with Salt and Pepper – Rub salt and ground black pepper all over the tilapia fillets, making sure both sides are evenly coated. This helps bring out the natural flavor of the fish and gives it a solid base seasoning.
Make the Lemon Butter Mixture – In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Stir it well until it’s fully mixed. The butter will add richness, while the lemon juice gives the tilapia a fresh, zesty flavor, and garlic adds an aromatic punch.
Prepare the Baking Tray and Arrange the Fillets – Grease your baking dish or tray to prevent the fish from sticking. Lay the tilapia fillets in the dish, making sure they’re not crowded.
Top the Fillets with Lemon Butter Mixture and Lemon Slices – Spoon the lemon butter mixture generously over each fillet. Make sure each piece gets a good coating. Add a couple of lemon slices on top of the fish. This will help infuse the fish with a fresh lemony fragrance while it bakes.
Bake the Tilapia – Place the baking tray in the oven and bake the tilapia for about 11 to 13 minutes. Check for doneness by gently flaking the fish with a fork—it should easily break apart. Don’t overcook it, as tilapia cooks quickly and can dry out.
Garnish and Serve – After removing the tilapia from the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the fillets. This adds a pop of color and fresh flavor to the dish. Serve immediately and enjoy the light, rich flavors of the Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia.

Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia Recipe

What to Serve Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia With

When it comes to what to serve with your dish, you’ve got plenty of tasty options to make it a complete meal:

Rice – Simple steamed rice (white or brown) is a solid choice. It’s mild, so it lets the tilapia’s flavors shine and helps soak up that yummy lemon butter sauce.
Roasted Veggies – Try roasted veggies like asparagus, carrots, or broccoli. They get a nice crispy edge and a little caramelization, which balances out the fish’s tenderness and gives you some added texture.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes – If you want something creamy, mashed potatoes are always a good pick. They’re soft, buttery, and complement the tilapia in the best way.
Chickpea Salad – A light salad with mixed greens and a simple vinaigrette goes well with the fish.

Other Tilapia Recipes

Give this simple and yummy Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia a try today – it’s the perfect meal for any day of the week! But if you want other tilapia recipes, I’ve got you covered.

Oven Baked Blackened Tilapia – A flavorful, spicy fish dish where tilapia fillets are coated in a bold seasoning blend and baked to perfection for a crispy, smoky crust.
Baked Parmesan Garlic Crusted Tilapia – A delicious dish where tilapia fillets are covered in a flavorful blend of Parmesan cheese and garlic, then baked until golden and crispy.

Print Pin

Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia

Tilapia coated with a lemon butter mixture, then baked

Course Fish

Cuisine American

Keyword tilapia

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 13

Total Time 18

Servings

Calories 281kcal

Author Daisy Merano

Ingredients

3 5 ounces pieces tilapia fillet
1 lemon sliced crosswise
3 tablespoons melted butter
4 cloves minced garlic
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.
Rub salt and ground black pepper all over the tilapia fillet. (see notes below)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 3 5 ounces pieces tilapia fillet
Make the lemon butter mixture by combining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, melted butter, and garlic. Stir. (see notes below)
1 lemon, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 4 cloves minced garlic
Grease a baking tray or pan. Arrange the tilapia fillet. Spoon the lemon butter mixture all over the tilapia fillet. Top with lemon slices.
Put in the oven. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes.
Remove from the oven and then sprinkle some chopped parsley on top. Enjoy!
1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Notes

Before you season the tilapia, make sure to gently pat the fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps the seasoning stick better and keeps excess moisture from messing with that nice texture when it bakes.
Also, make sure the butter is melted before mixing it with the lemon juice and garlic. If the butter’s cold, it might clump up and won’t coat the fish evenly, which can affect how it turns out.

Nutrition