Tender, flaky Baked Tilapia is an easy 30-minute weeknight dinner that is seasoned with garlic and lime zest. This easy tilapia recipe is a great healthy option that is loaded with protein and pairs perfectly with your favorite sides.
Table of Contents
My family's favorite fish to eat is salmon, but I like to change things up now and then with another option when I'm wanting to serve fish for dinner. We are all big fans of fish and tilapia is a great choice for easy weeknight dinners because it is often more affordable than some other types of fish and has a mild, delicate flavor, making it versatile and suitable for various cooking methods. This is the best way I have found for preparing this flaky white fish.
Tilapia is also a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle development, repair, and overall health and it's lower in fat compared to some other fish varieties. This easy baked tilapia recipe also happens to be a great low carb option. Even my husband, who doesn't generally love tilapia, likes it when I prepare it this way with lime zest, crushed red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and butter.
All in all, it's a great option for a quick and simple dish that you can prep in about 5 minutes, then pop in the oven to bake while you throw together a pot of rice, some pasta, or some veggie sides to go with it!
Why Your Family Will Like This Garlic Lime Tilapia
- Mild fish flavor. Tilapia largely takes on the taste of the seasonings and sauces used in its preparation so some picky eaters say it isn't as typically "fishy" as other types of fish like salmon.
- Zesty, tangy, and buttery. It's amazing what a little lime juice and zest and a couple of cloves of garlic can do to a tilapia filet to make it absolutely delicious. The richness of the butter and hint of spice from the crushed red pepper flakes doesn't hurt either. It's a great way to get hesitant family members to try something new.
- Mostly hands off and ready in under 30 minutes. This is a great dinner idea for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. The short list of simple ingredients and oven baked tilapia approach means you have more time to help kids with homework, clean the kitchen, make side dishes, or do the myriad of other things on your plate.
Recipe Ingredients
- Tilapia Filets - You can use fresh or frozen tilapia fillets from the grocery store but be sure to let them thaw in the fridge completely overnight if frozen so they bake evenly.
- Limes - Always be sure to zest your limes BEFORE juicing them. Use a zester or the small holes of a box grater to remove only the topmost outer layer of lime skin so you don't get too much of the bitter pith underneath.
- Salted Butter - I love the rich flavor this adds to the tilapia, which otherwise is very lean. You can swap out the butter for olive oil, if you prefer.
- Salt & Pepper - For seasoning the fish so it doesn't taste bland.
- Garlic Cloves - Two minced garlic cloves add wonderful flavor to the tilapia. You could also use ½ teaspoon garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic on hand.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes - Adds just the right amount of kick without making this a spicy fish dish.
How to Make Baked Tilapia
- Combine melted butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime juice and lime zest in a small bowl.
- Season tilapia on both sides with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- Drizzle or spoon the simple butter sauce on top of the fish.
- Bake the tilapia for 15-20 minutes at 400°F until fork tender and translucent. The oven-baked tilapia should have an internal temp should be 145 degrees F when tested in the thickest part of the tilapia loins with a digital meat thermometer (affiliate link).
Recipe FAQ's
This depends on how you prepare it, but typically when baking tilapia in the oven I find that it needs at least 15 to 20 minutes. But be careful not to overbake it or the fish can dry out.
Yes, you can absolutely use lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and lemon slices in place of the limes that I opted for here.
Absolutely! This approach would be delicious with cod or flounder fillets, as well as trout or even salmon.
Recipe Variations
- Add capers to the butter sauce for more of a salty, briny flavor.
- Try a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a generous amount of parmesan cheese on top of the tilapia for another fun flavor profile.
Storage Instructions
Store any uneaten tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in a warm oven covered with foil or in the microwave until heated through before serving.
I don't recommend freezing then reheating leftovers. Most fish is too delicate for this and tilapia is no exception.
What to Serve with Baked Tilapia
Serve with your favorite side dishes like salad, coconut rice, rice pilaf, brown rice, crusty bread, or pasta. We like to add a roasted or steamed vegetable like broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans to go with it. It would also be delicious with Utica Greens!
Garnish with some fresh herbs like fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
More Fish Recipes
- How to Cook Salmon Steaks
- Blackened Salmon
- Oven Cooked Trout
- Authentic San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew
- New England Fish Chowder
- Baja Fish Tacos
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Easy Baked Tilapia Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 (6- to 8-ounce) tilapia filets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Juice and zest from 2 limes + 1 lime, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Season tilapia on both sides with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- Combine butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime juice and lime zest in a small bowl. Drizzle over the tilapia. Place lime slices on top of each piece of fish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until fork tender and translucent. The internal temp should be 145°F when tested with a digital meat thermometer (affiliate link). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitutions: You can use olive oil in place of butter, lemons in place of limes, and other white fish like flounder or cod in place of the tilapia.
- Storage: Store any uneaten tilapia in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in a warm oven covered with foil or in the microwave until heated through before serving.
