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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Fish Recipes

Lemon Butter Tilapia

Updated: Oct 30, 2023 ยท Published: Aug 8, 2019 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 11 minutes mins

Lemon Butter Tilapia is flaky, tender, and incredibly flavorful. This is an easy and fast tilapia recipe using fresh or frozen tilapia coated with lemon, butter, and garlic. Make it in the oven or on your grill with a griddle.

๐ŸŸIngredients

Tilapia fillets
Butter
Lemon or lemon juice
Pantry ingredientsโ€”garlic powder, vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper

Flakey tilapia with grill marks.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐ŸŸIngredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Cook Lemon Butter Tilapia
  • When is tilapia done and safe to eat?
  • โ™จ๏ธShould I grill or use the oven
  • ๐ŸดHow to serve tilapia
  • Leftover tilapia
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐ŸŸ About Tilapia
  • Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Featured comment from Corey:
"I've made this incredibly easy and delicious fish twice in the past 2 weeks, with plans to make it again this weekend."

A quick and easy oven-baked or grilled tilapia recipe done in well under 30 minutes. Follow these easy step-by-step photo instructions for a great meal using fresh or frozen tilapia.

The classic taste of lemon butter with garlic, then adding some char from the grill, makes the taste unique. Or you can bake it in the oven.

It fits a healthy diet, like a low-calorie and low-fat diet. It also works in a low-carb or keto diet.

Check out my other tilapia recipes like Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, Grilled Blackened Tilapia, or Baked Blackened Tilapia. Or try Garlic Butter Salmon in a Convection Oven.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Cook Lemon Butter Tilapia

  1. For Oven Baking: Preheat oven to 400ยฐ
  2. For Grilling: Preheat the grill on high with a griddle or grill-safe pan in place. Apply a liberal coat of vegetable oil.
  3. Mix well with butter, lemon juice, and garlic powder and microwave for 10 seconds.
  4. Pat dry fillets, and brush both sides of the fillets with the butter mixture. Lightly salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until an internal temperature of 145ยฐ or grill for about 4 minutes per side on a griddle or grill pan with an open lid.

This is a summary of the steps and ingredients. See the recipe card or the step-by-step photo instructions below for complete instructions.

When is tilapia done and safe to eat?

An internal temperature of 145ยฐ is the minimum safe temperature. It is flakey at that point.

โ™จ๏ธShould I grill or use the oven

To oven bake, preheat the oven to 400ยฐโ€”it needs to be fully preheated before baking.

On the grill, this recipe uses a hot grill with a griddle or grill pan preheated on high. A large grill basket may be used if you flip the fish. The fish is thin, and this is one of the few recipes to grill with the lid open.

๐ŸดHow to serve tilapia

Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving. Serve with lemon juice or tartar sauce.

Serve with Spinach Salad with bacon or hot side dishes like Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Mixed Vegetables, or Green Beans with Almonds. Starches, like Baked Rice, low-caloric biscuits, scalloped potatoes for two, or cornbread biscuits, are also good additions.

Leftover tilapia

Store leftovers airtight in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or frozen for 2-3 months.

To reheat, a stovetop skillet or in the oven is preferred. Microwaves can affect the texture but can be used on half power.

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โ“FAQs

Can other fish be used?

Yes, other fish, like cod, can be used. Cooking time varies by the thickness of the fish.

Can I spice it up some with some paprika?

You can use a seasoning of 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ยฝ teaspoon of pepper. Bush the tilapia with melted butter and then apply the seasoning.

๐ŸŸ About Tilapia

Tilapia is frequently called "the chicken of fish" due to its mild taste and ease of mass production on farms. And tilapia is a good source of low-fat protein.

Tilapia is a native freshwater fish from Africa and the Middle East but has been distributed worldwide. Theyโ€™re farmed almost everywhere since they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and are very hardy.

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โ†‘Jump to Table of Contents

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

30-Minute Dinner Recipes, Fish Recipes, Grill Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Low Carb/Keto Recipes, Low Fat Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

pouring oil on griddle on grill.

If grilling, preheat the grill on high with an oiled griddle or grill-safe pan. If baking, preheat the oven to 400ยฐ.

butter with lemon juice and gralic powder in small bowl.

Put butter, lemon juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds and mix well.

drying tilapia with paper towels.

Pat dry fillets with a paper towel.

brushing tilapia with lemon butter.

Brush both sides of the fillets with the butter mixture. Do this quickly before the solution firms up.

salting tilapia on white plate.

Lightly salt and pepper to taste.

pile of grilled tilapia on white plate.

Grill for about 4 minutes per side with an open lid or bake for 10-12 minutes until an internal temperature of 145ยฐ. Serve hot.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

grilled lemon butter tilapia

Lemon Butter Tilapia

4.67 from 3 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Lemon Butter Tilapia is flaky, tender, and incredibly flavorful. This is an easy and fast tilapia recipe using fresh or frozen tilapia coated with lemon, butter, and garlic. Make it in the oven or on your grill with a griddle.
Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :6 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 lb Tilapia fillets - 6 medium fillets
  • 2 teaspoon butter
  • 2 teaspoon ReaLemon or about the juice of ยฝ lemon
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • If grilling, preheat the grill on high with an oiled griddle or grill-safe pan. If baking, preheat the oven to 400ยฐ.
    pouring oil on griddle on grill
  • Put butter, lemon juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds and mix well.
    butter with lemon juice and gralic powder in small bowl
  • Pat dry fillets with a paper towel.
    drying tilapia with paper towels
  • Brush both sides of the fillets with the butter mixture. Do this quickly before the solution firms up.
    brushing tilapia with lemon butter
  • Lightly salt and pepper to taste.
    salting tilapia on white plate
  • Grill for about 4 minutes per side with an open lid or bake for 10-12 minutes until an internal temperature of 145ยฐ. Serve hot.
    pile of grilled tilapia on white plate

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. Any grill pan, griddle, or even a grill basket will work as long as you can flip the fish.
  2. Preheat a griddle or grill pan with the grill on high. A grill basket does not need to be preheated. For oven baking, preheat to 400ยฐ completely before baking.
  3. If frozen, the tilapia needs to be completely thawed. Just moving the frozen tilapia from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight will do.
  4. This is one of the few recipes that I grill with an open lid.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Serving : 1 filetCalories : 85 kcal (4%)Carbohydrates : 1 gProtein : 15 g (30%)Fat : 3 g (5%)Saturated Fat : 1 g (5%)Cholesterol : 41 mg (14%)Sodium : 51 mg (2%)Potassium : 228 mg (7%)Sugar : 1 g (1%)Vitamin A : 42 IU (1%)Calcium : 8 mg (1%)Iron : 1 mg (6%)

Originally Published August 17, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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More Fish Recipes

  • Grilled Blackened Tilapia from 101 Cooking for Two
    Grilled Blackened Tilapia
  • flakey tilapia on a plate.
    Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (Baked & Crispy Recipe)
  • flacking Blackened Tilapia on a white plate
    Baked Blackened Tilapia
  • \salmon flaking on a plate with a salad
    Garlic Butter Salmon in a Convection Oven

Comments

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  1. Corey Anderson says

    August 24, 2019 at 9:01 am

    5 stars
    I've made this incredibly easy and delicious fish twice in the past 2 weeks, with plans to make it again this weekend. I spiked a couple of pieces with Cumin and flaked to meal prep myself Fish Taco Salads = HAPPY taste buds!! Even my pickiest of eaters -- my husband, loved it. Thanks for sharing another simple technique/recipe that is easy to tweak with other flavors!

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      August 24, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      Hi Corey
      I always want to just do a basic recipe that is easy to adapt to your needs. If you want some kicked up fish tacos, try the grilled blackened tilapia.
      Thanks for the note and rating. Glad it worked well for you.
      Dan

  2. Stephanie says

    September 09, 2018 at 10:35 pm

    Made this tonight! Amazing! Added cilantro!

    Reply
  3. Marms says

    August 19, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    Of course I know you would remove because I am really just talking to you.

    They do not have 'free trials' of "things". Free trials of videos and access to meal plans. Nothing to sell.
    Andreas E. is board certified in Sweden.
    No one on that site tells them to fiddle with their insulin. If that changes it's done by their own doctor who has to do it to respond to their diabetes disease "numbers" changing as a result of low carb. (Not a diabetic myself so I don't know the name of those tests. I am hypercholesterolemic, not diabetic.)
    The diet is not high-protein but high fat.
    Even Joslin is advising their patients to low carb diets. And...
    The original Banting diabetic treatment was no carb, before insulin was used.

    But I just wanted to know if you had examined such diets. Thanks for responding.

    Reply
  4. marms says

    August 19, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    I will be doing this several times in the coming month as I must use up the frozen fish in my freezer, but tell me:What's a Tilapia? I have Red Snapper, Halibut, cod and pink salmon. I have not seen TIlapia here.

    Dan you may want to take this out REMOVED. See my reply. Dan

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      August 19, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      Let's address the tilapia first. It is a specific type of fish. It is a thin white fish, usually about 1/2 inch thick. While most fish will cook about the same manor, those you mentioned are thicker so although I suspect they can cook similar but just a little longer, I have not done those types.

      On to the medical stuff, I have to remove it. Although the site is run by a doctor (Family doctor with no indication of board certification, not endocrinologist nor internist.) I don't have the time or expertise to evaluate the whole site. But in my prime, I read thousands of articles in medical journals per year so well read on this sort of thing. Their references are laughable medically speaking. This is just a low carb, high fat and protein diet like Adkins/South Beach. Nothing magic. Very well studied and thousands of articles out there.

      For a site on the internet, they are giving advice on adjusting insulin etc that I and most doctors would consider unethical and down right dangerous. Those things should only be done by your doctor. There are a few vague call your doctor but then they give very specific medical advice. VERY BAD IDEA.

      Next the diet. These sorts of diets can stress things like kidneys and livers and once damaged always damaged and at our age, many people have marginal renal function already. So no marked changes in diet without your doctor and a RD (Registered Dietitian) not a โ€œnationalistโ€ or other nice sounding terms.

      And lastly, they want to promote the "we just want to help our patients" and no ads. Yet they seem to have "free trials" of things I suspect they want to sell. I don't buy the "we are just looking out for our patients" thing.

      Final words. Let's be careful out there.

      Dan

  5. Ellen says

    June 04, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Thank you,, we will be trying ALL your perfect easy recipies!,
    I love this blog!, ?

    Reply
  6. phargeaux says

    June 23, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    -sorry thought I rated 5 star but didn't see. Trying again.

    Reply
  7. phargeaux says

    June 23, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    Yuuuumy! Will make again for sure! Was the butter on 2 tsp - or 2 tbsp? I used 2T, so maybe made unhealthier version but sure was a hit at my house tonite! Added some fresh dill to the butter as I'm all about that dill this time of year especially. Thanks Dr Dan!!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      June 23, 2015 at 10:28 pm

      That is t for teaspoon but more butter is never bad.
      Thanks for the note and rating.
      DrDan

  8. Mike McClellan says

    July 06, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    4 stars
    Hi Dan,
    I really like the recipe and you mentioned sour cream biscuit, but I couldn't find therecipe for them, even by a search. Was that one removed?
    Thanks,
    Mike

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      July 06, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      Yep removed last fall. When I moved the site from Blogger to WordPress, I did some weeding to clean up the site. About 5 - 10 recipes just didn't do it for me. Try the Cheddar Bay Biscuits ( they are great but not very healthy. For healthy I have Zero Fat Biscuits (https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/zero-fat-biscuits/) which are much much better than the sour cream ones were.
      Thanks for note and rating
      DrDan

  9. Rebecca says

    May 08, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    This recipe was simple and delicious! My husband and I both enjoyed it (and I don't even like fish!).

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      May 09, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      Thanks... I try to do this one several times every grilling season
      DrDan

  10. Dr Dan says

    August 19, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    Welcome and thanks. I don't do the nutritional analysis very often but plan to do a lot more. The step by step with lots of pictures is what I want to be... cooking that is simple for the learner. Hence the 101 meaning a beginning course.

    Reply
  11. tracy says

    August 19, 2010 at 9:23 am

    Hi Dr Dan, I stumbled upon your blog and thought it was a fantastic website!

    I love how you show all the steps of your cooking, as well as how you show the amount of fats/ calories in the food you cook. :)

    Thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I will definitely be coming to your website often! (It's on my favourite's bar!)

    Reply

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
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