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Quick Lemon Butter Tilapia Recipe Easy Zesty Weeknight Dinner Idea

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A quick and easy lemon butter tilapia recipe that delivers a perfect balance of zesty brightness and rich buttery goodness, ideal for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each; fresh or thawed from frozen)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, freshly grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)

Instructions

  1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to help them sear properly and avoid steaming. Season both sides lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Place the fillets in the pan gently—lay them away from you to avoid oil splatters. Cook without moving for about 3-4 minutes until the undersides are golden brown and the edges start to look opaque.
  4. Flip the fillets carefully using your spatula and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes more until mostly cooked through but still moist and tender.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest directly into the pan around the fish. Spoon the melted lemon butter sauce over the fillets continuously for about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Remove the fillets from the pan and transfer to serving plates. Spoon any remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh parsley for color and freshness.

Notes

Avoid overcooking to keep tilapia moist. If garlic browns too quickly, lower heat immediately. Let fish sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking. Use fresh lemon zest for best flavor. Cook fillets in batches if pan is crowded.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter tilapia, quick fish recipe, easy weeknight dinner, pan-seared tilapia, lemon fish, buttery fish recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/quick-lemon-butter-tilapia-recipe-easy-zesty-weeknight-dinner-idea/