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This 15 Minute Lemon Pepper Tilapia is an easy and healthy fish recipe that everyone loves. With just 5 ingredients, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
When it comes to easy, quick, and affordable fish recipes, this Lemon Pepper Tilapia is at the top of the list.
Seasoned with lemon pepper, butter, fresh lemon, and paprika, this tasty dinner is one everyone, kids included, loves!
Tilapia is one of the most popular fish around the world, but with a very mild taste, it needs some seasoning to be transformed into something truly delicious. That’s why this lemon pepper baked tilapia works so well! Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor in every bite.
We also love this Blackened Tilapia, Tilapia Fish Burgers, and Pan Fried Garlic Lime Tilapia.
Here is everything you need to make this delicious tilapia with lemon pepper.
This tasty fish can be made in the oven, on the grill, or quickly in a skillet making it a great dinner option all year long.
Start by rinsing and drying the tilapia filets. Make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel. Combine the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika. Brush this mixture all over the fish and cover with lemon slices.
Bake the tilapia for 10-12 minutes in a 425-degree oven for 10-12 minutes until the fish is white and flakes easily with a fork.
Tilapia works great on the grill, but there are a few tricks so it doesn’t fall apart. Start by placing the tilapia filets on a few pieces of heavy-duty foil with the edges folded up. Brush the filets with the butter, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning mix.
Place the open foil packet on a preheated grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the fish is flaky and cooked through.
Tilapia can be cooked directly on the grill for 3-4 minutes per side, but it is very prone to falling apart so we prefer to cook it in foil.
Tilapia can also be cooked right in a heavy skillet. Start by drying the tilapia with paper towels to dry. Cover with lemon pepper seasoning and paprika on both sides.
Melt the butter in the pan and add the tilapia in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes and gently flip over using a fish spatula. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
Remove from the pan and squeeze fresh lemon over the top.
There is a lot of confusion about tilapia and whether it is safe to eat. In general, tilapia is a great lean source of protein with 23 grams of protein in just 4 ounces of cooked fish. Additionally, tilapia is a great source of phosphorus, selenium, vitamin D, and potassium.
Since tilapia is almost exclusively farm-raised, most of the concerns about tilapia are due to potentially polluted and overcrowded farming environments. However, there are ways to make sure the tilapia you buy is raised in a sustainable and healthy manner.
If you are concerned about the healthiness of the tilapia you are buying, follow these recommendations from SeafoodWatch.org, an independent seafood safety group.
There are lots of ways to customize this recipe and make it your own.
This lemon pepper tilapia is extremely versatile and works with so many side dishes. Here are some to try:
This tilapia dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Leftovers work great in fish tacos, grain bowls, and meal prep with veggies and rice.
Tilapia can also be frozen after being cooked. Let it cool completely and then wrap the filets in plastic wrap or foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, first, thaw the filets in the fridge overnight. Then gently reheat them in a hot skillet or in a 400-degree oven until warmed through.
Here are the most common questions about making this tilapia recipe.
Technically tilapia does not need to be rinsed before cooking it. However, since most tilapia is previously frozen, rinsing it can remove any excess liquid or juice. Make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel before cooking it.
Sometimes people complain about an earthy, muddy, or dirty flavor in tilapia. This can be caused by algae and bacteria in the water where it was farmed. It can also be caused by the fish meal the tilapia consume.
The best way to avoid this earthy behavior is to buy fish farmed in the United States, Ecuador, or Peru where there are strict requirements for farming practices that ensure the fish isn’t overcrowded or fed improperly, which can cause those muddy flavors.
If you find yourself with fish that tastes muddy or fishy, soaking it in buttermilk for 30-60 minutes before cooking can reduce that flavor. Marinating the tilapia in acid like lemon, lime, or vinegar also helps.
Looking for more recipes for fish? Try these next.
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Place the tilapia filets in the baking dish so it doesn’t overlap. Combine the butter, juice of ½ lemon, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika.
Brush this mixture over the fish in the baking dish, making sure to use it all. Cut the remaining lemon into slices and place on top of the fish.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flaky. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving if desired.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.
To grill: Start by placing the tilapia filets on a few pieces of heavy-duty foil with the edges folded up. Brush the filets with the butter, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning mix. Place the open foil packet on a preheated grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the fish is flaky and cooked through.
To cook in a skillet: Cover with lemon pepper seasoning and paprika on both sides. Melt the butter in the pan and add the tilapia in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes and gently flip over using a fish spatula. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through and flaky. Remove from the pan and squeeze fresh lemon over the top.
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