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Easy Zesty Lemon Garlic Tilapia

easy zesty lemon garlic tilapia - featured image
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A quick and flavorful tilapia recipe featuring fresh lemon and garlic, perfect for busy weeknights and ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), fresh or thawed, skinless
  • 2 medium fresh lemons (for juice and zest)
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
  2. Zest both lemons carefully, avoiding the white pith. Juice the lemons and set juice and zest aside separately. Mince the garlic finely. Prepare red pepper flakes if using.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Place the fillets in the pan spaced apart. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until edges turn opaque. Flip carefully and cook the other side for 2 minutes until fish flakes easily.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push fish to one side of the pan. Add butter, garlic, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir gently and let garlic soften without burning for about 1 minute. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fillets.
  6. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, swirl to mix, and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Baste gently and remove from heat.
  7. Serve immediately, transferring fillets to warm plates and drizzling remaining sauce over them.

Notes

Patting the fish dry is essential for a good sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain heat. Add garlic after flipping the fish to prevent bitterness. Fresh lemons greatly enhance flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with extra olive oil or plant-based spread. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheat gently to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: tilapia, lemon garlic fish, quick dinner, easy fish recipe, weeknight meal, healthy seafood, zesty lemon, garlic tilapia

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/easy-zesty-lemon-garlic-tilapia-recipe-perfect-for-quick-15-minute-dinners/