Easy Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia

Cooking fish at home has never been easier! This recipe uses tilapia, which is an incredibly common and less expensive white fish. It’s a great option to eat fish on a budget. You can use any white fish with this recipe though, so feel free to experiment with what is available in your area. Ready in only 15 minutes!

Looking for more easy fish recipes? Try our Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites.

I’ve had a lot of friends and family members who are intimidated by cooking fish at home. No need, it’s incredibly easy! In this recipe I show you how to bake the fish, which requires very little hands-on effort. I also have a great tutorial for How to Pan Sear Fish that you should check out as well. This works great for more expensive fish filets that require nothing more than salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Ingredient Notes

• Tilapia: 4 fillets, inexpensive and easy to cook. Can substitute with cod fish.
• Butter: Melted and mixed with the lemon and garlic.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but jarred works too.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh is best but if you’re short on time, you can use bottled.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh, herby flavor.
• Lemon: Thinly slice and use to garnish, adding a fresh pop of color and tang.

Fish Buying Tip

When purchasing fish, including tilapia, always ask to smell it first. It shouldn’t smell fishy or ocean-like at all. That’s how you know you’ve got a good piece. Fish that is frozen should be eaten as soon as it is thawed.

Frozen Fish: Quality frozen fish is actually a great option. The trick is to use it as soon as you can after thawing. A lot of the fish you buy from the fish counter at the grocery store is previously frozen and thawed there, so you might as well buy it frozen and thaw it yourself for maximum freshness.

Other Fish Options

While this recipe is specific to tilapia, you can use it with other similar white fish. When it comes to fish you really just want to use whatever is freshest and available at the store. Sometimes that means switching things up. So here are some other good options:

Cod: A firm, moist, and flaky white fish with a mild flavor. Great for those new to cooking fish.

Snapper: A slightly firmer fish with a sweet, nutty flavor. Holds up well to baking and pan-searing.

Haddock: A delicate, flaky white fish that’s slightly sweeter than cod. A solid choice for baking.

Flounder: A thin, tender fish with a mild flavor. Best for quick baking; watch closely so it doesn’t overcook.

Sea Bass: A mild, firm white fish that is slightly sweet-tasting. Rich and buttery when baked.

Halibut: An oily white fish, rich in omega-3s. Slightly firmer than tilapia and more pronounced in flavor.

The same directions and cooking times should apply. Just be aware that cooking time on fish depends on how thick it is so keep an eye on it! Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Serving Suggestions

Rice and Veggies: Simply pair with a side of white or brown steamed rice and a green veggie (we love asparagus or green beans) for a complete meal.

Tacos: Slice it up and throw it in a taco. Add toppings like cabbage, sour cream, guacamole, and some sliced or pickled jalapeños.

Salad or Wrap: Repurpose those leftovers and use in a salad or lettuce wrap.