If you’re looking for a quick, fresh, and seriously delicious dinner, this Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe is an absolute winner. I absolutely love how this turns out every time — the fish is tender and flaky, the lemon and garlic combo gives it a bright, zesty kick, and those roasted peppers and onions soaked in buttery goodness? Irresistible. Whether you’re new to cooking fish or want a reliable weeknight meal, stick around because this recipe will become one of your favorites too.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simplicity: Minimal ingredients but maximum flavor with easy prep and baking.
Versatility: You can swap veggies or seasonings to suit your taste or pantry finds.
Healthy and Light: Perfectly balanced with lean protein, fresh lemon, and veggies.
Family-Friendly: My family goes crazy for this dish, and leftovers disappear fast!

The image shows a metal baking tray filled with four golden-brown cooked fish fillets, laying on a bed of cooked onions and red and yellow bell pepper strips. The fillets have a crispy and seasoned texture with some visible black pepper and spices. Around the fish and vegetables, there are three lemon wedges placed on top and around the edges. The onions are soft and slightly caramelized, mixed with the colorful pepper slices soaked in sauce. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia, healthy baked fish dinner, easy seafood recipe, quick fish recipes, flavorful lemon garlic tilapia

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe is in how simple and fresh the ingredients are. You’ll want quality tilapia fillets and fresh lemon to get the flavor just right, plus some handy pantry staples to build that rich buttery garlic sauce.

Flat lay of four fresh tilapia fillets with pale pink flesh, a large white ceramic bowl of thick sliced white onions, a white ceramic bowl filled with medium thick strips of red and green bell peppers, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl of finely minced garlic, a small white ceramic bowl of bright yellow fresh lemon juice, three fresh whole lemons sliced into thin rounds, a small white ceramic bowl containing mixed dried Italian seasoning herbs, a small white ceramic bowl with reddish smoked paprika powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white onion powder, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of black peppercorns, arranged symmetrically and realistically proportioned, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia, healthy baked fish dinner, easy seafood recipe, quick fish recipes, flavorful lemon garlic tilapia

Tilapia fillets: Look for firm, fresh fillets—thicker ones bake more evenly.
Onion: Thick slices add sweetness when roasted; red or yellow both work.
Peppers: Medium thick strips give great texture and a pop of color.
Unsalted butter: I melt it to mix the marinade; unsalted lets you control salt better.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic makes a huge difference — garlic powder feels flat here.
Salt: Essential for seasoning; kosher salt works best for even distribution.
Pepper: Fresh cracked black pepper adds subtle heat.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs gives depth; you can swap for mixed dried herbs.
Smoked paprika: Adds warm smokiness; regular paprika is fine if you don’t have this.
Onion powder (optional): Enhances onion flavor — good if you want a bigger punch.
Fresh lemon juice: Makes the dish zingy and bright — always fresh, never bottled.
Lemon slices: For a beautiful, fragrant finishing touch during baking.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe my own by switching up the veggies or herbs — cooking should be fun and flexible, right? Feel free to experiment with what you have at home.

Veggie swaps: I like adding asparagus or blanched green beans alongside the peppers and onions for more veggies and variety.
Herb tweaks: Sometimes I throw in fresh parsley or basil, which adds a lovely fresh note at the end.
Spice level: If you like a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the marinade works wonders.
Butter alternatives: For a lighter twist, I’ve used olive oil instead of butter, though the sauce is less rich.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

This step is where the magic begins. In a small bowl, mix together the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder if you’re using it, salt, and pepper. I found that letting the butter cool just a bit before mixing keeps the flavors bright without cooking the garlic too early. This marinade coats the fish perfectly with that bright, buttery, garlicky goodness.

Step 2: Get Your Oven and Veggies Ready

Preheat your oven to 200°C (that’s 400°F) and make sure the oven rack is in the upper third area — this ensures that the fish cooks evenly without drying out. In your baking tray, spread out the thickly sliced onions and medium pepper strips in a single layer. These will roast alongside the fish and soak up all those delicious juices.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Place the tilapia fillets on top of the bed of onions and peppers. Generously spoon the marinade over both sides of the fillets — don’t be shy here, it’s where all the flavor comes from. Then, pop the thin lemon slices over the fish; they not only taste great but make your dish look gorgeous. Slide the tray into the oven high up, and bake for about 10-12 minutes. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when done. Trust me, the 12-minute max is key to keeping it tender and juicy.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

I like serving this on a bed of fluffy rice with steamed veggies on the side. Don’t forget to spoon all that leftover buttery lemon sauce from the pan over the fish and rice—that sauce is the best part! It’s light, flavorful, and makes the whole plate pop.

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Pro Tips for Making Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Fish: Tilapia cooks quickly; 10-12 minutes is plenty to keep it juicy and flaky.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh juice brightens the entire dish more than bottled ever could.
Marinate Generously: Make sure to coat both sides of the fillets well for even flavor.
Arrange Veggies Evenly: Spreading the onions and peppers in a single layer helps them roast evenly and caramelize beautifully.

How to Serve Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe

Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or cilantro on top for a burst of fresh color and flavor. A few extra lemon wedges on the side never hurt either — they let everyone add a little more zing if they like. Sometimes some thinly sliced green onions add a nice crunch too.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this lemon garlic baked tilapia are fluffy white or jasmine rice and simple steamed greens—think broccoli or green beans. Roasted asparagus or a fresh garden salad with vinaigrette are perfect too. You’ll find the light flavors encourage lots of veggie and grain combos.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating this on a white serving platter with colorful veggies arranged artistically around the fish. Adding edible flowers or thin lemon curls on top makes it feel extra fancy. Serving in rustic cast iron skillets straight from oven to table adds warmth and charm when guests come over.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover tilapia stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to separate the fish from the vegetables if I can, which helps keep everything fresh and prevents sogginess. Just reheat gently to keep that delicate texture intact.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze cooked tilapia because it can get a bit watery, but if you want to freeze before cooking, the raw fillets freeze beautifully — just marinate and freeze in a single layer, then bake fresh when ready.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I gently warm the fish in a low oven (about 275°F / 135°C) covered loosely with foil—this locks in moisture without drying out the fish. Avoid microwaving if you can; it tends to make fillets tough and rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use other types of fish for this Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe?

Absolutely! While tilapia is perfect because it’s mild and cooks quickly, you can try this with cod, haddock, or even salmon. Just keep in mind different fish have different cooking times, so adjust accordingly to avoid overcooking.
How do I know when the tilapia is done baking?

You’ll want the fish to be opaque and flaky. When you gently press the fillet with a fork, it should flake apart easily but still feel moist. Usually, 10–12 minutes at 400°F is spot on for standard fillets.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the marinade and slice your veggies a day ahead, then store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just assemble and bake — it saves time without losing flavor.
What’s the best way to serve leftover Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia?

Leftovers are great flaked over a green salad, wrapped in a warm pita with some tzatziki, or even stirred into pasta with extra lemon and herbs. It’s a tasty and easy way to enjoy the meal again!

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Recipe, I was blown away by how simple ingredients came together to create something so flavorful and comforting. It’s one of those dishes I love making on busy nights yet never disappoints for guests. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll find it just as easy, bright, and satisfying as I do. Trust me, it’ll be on rotation in your kitchen before you know it!