This Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Tilapia, drenched in a savory lemon butter sauce, is super flaky and juicy. Your taste buds will scream with joy just after one bite. This speedy recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
The flavors may seem complex, but this recipe utilizes only a few easy-to-find ingredients that you likely already have at home. You have to trust me when I say this lemon pepper tilapia recipe stands out every time.
If you're looking for something delicious that's ready in no time, look no further than this recipe featuring my all-time favorite baked cod or baked basa. If you prefer something spicy, the firecracker salmon is a must-try. Are you a lover of whole fish? Then try this easy mackerel and this juicy whole tilapia recipe, packed with herbs and garlic.
There's a perfect balance of zestful lemon, sweet honey, and spicy chili flakes. It's all rounded out with the right amount of pepper, much like a delicious Mediterranean dish accompanied by a zesty salad and a refreshing drink.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This easy tilapia recipe is ready in no time. It only takes 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
Tilapia is a freshwater fish, so it has a mild flavor that is universally loved. It's also affordable and easily accessible.
Additionally, the flavors pair well with almost any side dish you prepare.
Tilapia is a super source of healthy fats (like Omega 3s) and protein. It accommodates any dietary plan.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it's highly customizable. You can easily swap spice ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary restrictions.
Recipe Ingredients
Tilapia Filets: The marinade and sauce delicately enhance the light-flavoured white fish. Any firm fish like cod, haddock, and salmon will also be good options for this recipe.
Herbs and Spices: This is the easiest part to customize. I used onion powder, garlic powder, chili flakes, fresh parsley, and a combination of salt and black pepper.
Fresh Lemon: This brightens the marinade and the buttery sauce. Use lemon zest in the marinade and both fresh lemon juice and lemon zest in the sauce.
Oil: Use olive oil or your favorite oil.
Butter: Use real, unsalted butter in the sauce. It adds richness and depth.
Honey: A bit of honey will sweeten the marinade without overpowering it.
Refer to the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and their corresponding measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use store-bought lemon pepper seasoning and skip the lemon juice and zest.
- Add red pepper flakes, chili flakes, and cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. Smoked paprika will also give it a smoky flavor.
- Instead of pan-searing, you can bake them in the oven. Bake covered or uncovered, using aluminum foil to trap all the juice. Baked tilapia stands out always. Also, place some lemon slices or lemon wedges on top before baking.
- To bake, mix the marinade with melted butter.
- A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top before baking gives it a nice crust without overpowering the lemon flavor.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Tilapia
- Add all the ingredients for the tilapia in a bowl and mix well. Pat dry the fish with a paper towel.
- Rub the mixture or marinade generously on both sides of the fish.
- In a pan on medium heat, add a little oil and pan-sear each side for about 4 minutes until the fish is flaky. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and the drippings from the marinade. Stir for about 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish and serve immediately. Garnish with some fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the fish dry to remove moisture, allowing the spices to adhere readily.
- Ensure your pan or skillet is hot to prevent sticking, and ensure your fish remains moist.
- If cooking in batches, remove scrapings so the next batch can be crispy.
- Allow the fish to form a good crust before flipping it over.
Make Ahead Tips
- Pre-mix the dried and fresh herbs for the tilapia and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Zest and juice the lemon, then store the zest and juice separately in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
I never miss my air fryer or baked potatoes with a side of salad. Rice and vegetables, such as broccoli and asparagus.
Something warm, like tea, or chilled juice, will be the perfect combination.
Recipe FAQs
It can be stored in an air-tight container for 3 days in the refrigerator and frozen for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge and pan-sear until heated through.
Yes, you can use frozen fish filet. Ensure that it thaws completely and pat it dry thoroughly.
The secret to a good sear is to dry the fish fillets thoroughly. If you want to make it even crispier than my recipe, you can add a little flour to the outside for extra crunch.
You can tell it's fully cooked when it's opaque, and you can flake it easily with a fork. Or, use an instant-read thermometer. Fish should reach 145F to be considered fully cooked.
Yes, it brings freshness and cuts through any natural fishiness.
All the seasonings mentioned above are Cajun, Creole, Old Bay, and Italian seasonings. Herbs, citrus, and zest seasonings.
More Fish Recipes To Try
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Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 3 Tilapia fillets thawed
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Dried herbs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 whole Lemon zest divided
- ½ teaspoon Chilli flakes
- 1 tablespoon Parsley fresh
- ½ teaspoon Blackpepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Sauce
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Parsley finely chopped
- Remaining lemon zest
- Drippings from the marinade if any or pinch of salt and blackpepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the tilapia in a bowl and mix well.1 teaspoon Onion powder, ½ teaspoon Dried herbs, 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 whole Lemon zest, ½ teaspoon Chilli flakes, 1 tablespoon Parsley, ½ teaspoon Blackpepper, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 tablespoon Honey, ½ tablespoon Fresh parsley
- Pat dry the fish with a paper towel. Rub the marinade generously on both sides of the fish.3 Tilapia fillets
- In a pan, add a little oil and pan-sear each side for about 4 minutes until it's flaky.3 tablespoon Olive oil
- Remove and set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley and the drippings from the marinade. Stir for about 1 minute.½ cup Butter, 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Parsley, Remaining lemon zest, Drippings from the marinade
- Pour the sauce all over the fish and serve right away.
Video
Notes
- Pat the fish dry to remove moisture, allowing the spices to adhere readily.
- Ensure your pan or skillet is hot to prevent sticking, and ensure your fish remains moist.
- If cooking in batches, remove scrapings so the next batch can be crispy.
- Allow the fish to form a good crust before flipping it over.
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