Description
This Baked Tilapia in Lemon Garlic Sauce recipe features tender tilapia fillets baked to perfection in a zesty lemon garlic butter marinade. Combined with sliced onions and peppers, this dish offers a flavorful, healthy meal that’s quick to prepare and perfect for serving over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fish and Vegetables
- 4 large Tilapia fillets
- 1 large onion, thick sliced
- 2 cups peppers, cut into medium thick strips
- 3-4 fresh lemon slices
Marinade
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or mixed dry herb)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (substitute with regular paprika if preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, optional onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and place the oven rack in the upper third position to ensure even baking.
- Arrange Vegetables: In a baking tray, spread out the thick-sliced onion and pepper strips in a single layer to form a bed for the fish.
- Prepare and Marinate Tilapia: Place the tilapia fillets over the vegetables in the tray. Generously apply the marinade on both sides of each fillet for maximum flavor infusion.
- Add Lemon Slices: Distribute the fresh lemon slices over and around the fish to enhance the citrus aroma during baking.
- Bake the Fish: Place the baking tray in the upper third of the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes at 200°C (400°F), or until the tilapia is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Serve the baked tilapia on a bed of rice alongside steamed or sautéed vegetables. Spoon any leftover lemon garlic butter sauce from the pan over the fish for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute or add other soft vegetables like asparagus or blanched green beans along with the onions and peppers for added variety.
- Ensure not to overcook the fish to keep it tender and moist.
- If smoked paprika is unavailable, regular paprika can be used as a substitute without significantly altering the flavor.
- Leftover sauce can be saved and refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with vegetables
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
