Name: Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tilapia fillets; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 4 tablespoons butter, melted; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon lemon zest; 1 lemon, sliced into rounds; Red pepper flakes, for garnish; Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish; Lemon slices, for garnish

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that feels like a treat, you’ve got to try this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe. I absolutely love how tender and buttery the fish turns out, all while being super simple to make. The combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs creates a mouthwatering sauce that feels fancy but comes together with hardly any fuss. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a weeknight go-to in your kitchen too.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Quick: This recipe takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy nights.
Easy Ingredients: You likely have everything in your pantry—no fancy or hard-to-find items needed.
Delicious & Flavorful: The garlic butter sauce with lemon zest really elevates simple tilapia into something special.
Healthy & Light: It’s a lean protein dish, making it a great choice for those watching their carbs or calories.

The image shows a white oval dish filled with four pieces of cooked chicken. Each piece has a golden brown color with small bits of minced garlic and green herbs sprinkled on top. There are thin slices of bright yellow lemon placed on and around the chicken. The dish is filled with a light yellow sauce that looks oily and seasoned with small herb flakes. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia, tilapia dinner ideas, easy fish recipes, quick seafood recipes, healthy baked fish

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create a perfect harmony of flavors—you have the richness of butter, brightness from lemon, and aromatic hints of garlic and herbs. When I shop for tilapia, I always look for fresh, firm fillets to keep the texture just right.

Flat lay of four fresh tilapia fillets with smooth, pale pink flesh, a small pile of coarse salt and freshly ground black peppercorns, a tiny mound of deep red paprika powder, a small heap of dried greenish-brown thyme leaves, a small heap of dried oregano leaves, a simple white ceramic bowl holding melted golden butter, a small white bowl filled with finely minced fresh garlic cloves, a white bowl with bright yellow freshly squeezed lemon juice, a small bowl containing vibrant yellow lemon zest, thin bright yellow lemon slices arranged neatly on a white plate, a few small red pepper flakes scattered gently, and a small bunch of vibrant green chopped fresh parsley all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia, tilapia dinner ideas, easy fish recipes, quick seafood recipes, healthy baked fish

Tilapia fillets: Fresh or thawed; firm fillets work best to hold up under baking.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Basics that bring out all the other flavors.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness without overpowering.
Dried thyme: Gentle earthiness that complements fish beautifully.
Dried oregano: A touch of Mediterranean flavor that enhances the herb profile.
Butter (melted): For that silky, rich sauce—don’t skip this!
Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic packs way more punch than pre-minced.
Lemon juice: I use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
Lemon zest: Adds a fragrant citrus note that lifts the whole dish.
Lemon slices (for garnish): Pretty and adds a fresh squeeze at serving time.
Red pepper flakes (for garnish): Optional, but I love the little kick they add.
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish): Adds color and a mild fresh herb finish.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe is—you can easily customize it to suit your tastes or what you have in the fridge. Here are a few ways I’ve tweaked it over time that you might want to try.

Add Fresh Herbs: Sometimes I swap dried thyme and oregano for fresh herbs like dill or basil for a punchier, garden-fresh flavor.
Spice It Up: If you like heat, I sprinkle extra red pepper flakes or mix in a dash of smoked paprika before baking.
Dairy-Free Version: Replace butter with olive oil for a lighter, dairy-free option without sacrificing flavor.
Add Crunch: For a little texture, try sprinkling panko breadcrumbs mixed with a dash of Parmesan on top before baking.

How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season the Tilapia

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C)—this really helps to get a nice bake without drying out the fish. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels; this little step makes a big difference in helping the seasoning stick. Then season both sides generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano. I like to arrange the fillets in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. The combination of warm butter with tangy lemon and sharp garlic is what elevates this dish. Pour this sauce evenly over the seasoned tilapia fillets, making sure every slice gets coated. If you’re worried about the garlic being too raw, melting the butter first gently cooks it and mellows the flavor just right.

Step 3: Bake Until Perfectly Tender

Bake the fish in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. I usually check at the 10-minute mark by gently flaking the thickest part of a fillet with a fork—when it flakes easily and looks opaque, it’s done. Overbaking can dry tilapia out, so keep an eye on it. The buttery juice baking with the fish keeps it moist and flavorful, so you won’t be disappointed.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle on some red pepper flakes if you want a bit of heat, and scatter chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. I love adding lemon slices on top for an inviting presentation and a little extra zing when served. This simple garnish makes the whole dish look like you spent tons of time making it.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

Pat the Fish Dry: I learned this step early on—it prevents soggy tilapia and helps the seasoning stick better.
Don’t Overbake: Checking early and often lets you catch the fish at perfect doneness when it flakes easily but is still moist.
Melt Butter Slowly: Melting butter gently with garlic releases gorgeous flavors without any bitterness from burnt garlic.
Use Fresh Lemon: Fresh juice and zest make a brighter, more vibrant sauce compared to bottled lemon juice.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe

Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually garnish this dish with freshly chopped parsley and thin lemon slices—it adds a lovely color contrast and fresh brightness that balances the rich butter. Sometimes I throw on a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick because my family loves that extra heat.

Side Dishes

This tilapia pairs beautifully with steamed veggies like asparagus or green beans, roasted potatoes, or a simple side salad. For a low-carb meal, I like serving it over cauliflower rice or alongside a garlic butter zucchini ribbon salad—so fresh and satisfying!

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I love plating the tilapia on a bed of herbed couscous or quinoa, topped with microgreens and extra lemon wedges. You can also serve it family-style on a large platter with lemon slices arranged around for a gorgeous centerpiece that impresses guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers, I store the tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It keeps surprisingly well, as the butter sauce locks in moisture, so the fish doesn’t dry out too quickly.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked tilapia without issue by wrapping each fillet tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. When thawed overnight in the fridge, the texture holds up decently, especially if you reheat carefully.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the fish in a low-heat oven (about 275°F) for 10 minutes, covered with foil, to maintain its moisture and prevent drying out. Microwave reheating can make it rubbery, so I only use that if I’m in a hurry.

FAQs

Can I use other fish instead of tilapia for this recipe?

Absolutely! This garlic butter sauce works wonderfully on mild white fish like cod, haddock, or sole. Just be mindful of adjusting cooking times slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets to prevent overcooking.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can season the fish and prepare the garlic butter sauce a few hours in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving. Just be sure to store everything covered in the fridge to keep the fish fresh.
What if I don’t have fresh lemon zest or juice?

While fresh is best for bright flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. For zest, a little extra lemon juice will help, or you could try adding a tiny bit of lemon extract, but fresh lemon really makes the difference.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe is naturally gluten-free since it doesn’t include any wheat ingredients. Just double-check your paprika and other spices to be sure they have no added fillers if you have a strict gluten sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia Recipe is truly one of my favorites because it’s so easy yet feels special. It’s perfect when you want a fast, healthy dinner that still tastes like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I remember the first time I made this for friends—they were blown away at how juicy and flavorful the fish was, and I loved the compliments! If you’re looking for a recipe to add to your repertoire that delivers consistent, delicious results, you can’t go wrong here. Give it a try and enjoy making it a staple in your weekly dinner rotation!