Print

Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia

Close-up of a flaky Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia fillet swimming in rich, herbed butter sauce.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Cook moist tilapia fillets quickly using a simple pan-searing method with a bright lemon garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Place the tilapia fillets in the hot skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same skillet.
  5. Once the butter melts, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  6. Pour in the lemon juice and let the sauce simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Stir in the chopped parsley.
  8. Return the tilapia fillets to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fish. Cook for 30 seconds to coat.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can marinate the tilapia in half the lemon juice and garlic for 10 minutes before cooking.
  • If you prefer baking, place seasoned fillets on a baking sheet, top with the butter mixture, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best taste in the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/lemon-garlic-butter-tilapia-recipe/