Irresistible Lemon Butter Tilapia Recipe Easy 5-Minute Dinner Idea
A quick and easy lemon butter tilapia recipe that delivers a flavorful, tender, and flaky fish dish ready in just 5 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or light dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 skinless, boneless tilapia fillets (about 6 oz/170 g each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a 10-inch non-stick or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
- Place the fillets in the pan, leaving space between them. Cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until edges turn opaque and bottom is golden brown.
- Gently flip each fillet and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until fish flakes easily but remains moist.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Push fish to one side or remove briefly. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Stir gently as butter melts and garlic softens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in fresh lemon juice and swirl to combine. Spoon lemon butter sauce over the fillets and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce on top.
Notes
Patting the fish dry before cooking is essential for a good sear. Avoid overcooking to keep the fish tender and flaky. Lower heat if butter starts to brown too quickly to prevent garlic bitterness. Fresh lemon juice is preferred for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tilapia fillet (ab
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 12
Keywords: tilapia, lemon butter tilapia, quick dinner, easy fish recipe, pan-seared tilapia, healthy dinner, weeknight meal