Lemon Pepper Tilapia

When it comes to easy, quick, and affordable fish recipes, this Lemon Pepper Tilapia is at the top of the list.

Seasoned with lemon pepper, butter, fresh lemon, and paprika, this tasty dinner is one everyone, kids included, loves!

Tilapia is one of the most popular fish around the world, but with a very mild taste, it needs some seasoning to be transformed into something truly delicious. That’s why this lemon pepper baked tilapia works so well! Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor in every bite.

We also love this Blackened Tilapia, Tilapia Fish Burgers, and Pan Fried Garlic Lime Tilapia.

Why We Love Lemon Pepper Tilapia

• Ready in 15 minutes: With just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of cook time, this fish recipe is truly quick and easy.
• Budget-friendly: When it comes to fish and seafood, tilapia is one of the most affordable fish options in most grocery stores.
• Healthy: Tilapia is a mild-tasting, white flaky fish that is a great source of lean protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Ingredients and Swaps

Here is everything you need to make this delicious tilapia with lemon pepper.

• Tilapia fillets: Look for white, firm filets. Most tilapia is sold frozen or previously frozen. Make sure it is defrosted before cooking and pat it dry with a paper towel.
• Butter: Butter adds richness to the fish since tilapia is very lean. Olive oil or ghee can be also be used.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: For the very best flavor, use homemade lemon pepper seasoning. If you don’t have time to make it from scratch, use a high-quality store-bought lemon pepper.
• Fresh lemon: To really bring out the lemon flavor, fresh lemon is essential. Plus the lemon juice creates a light sauce for the fish when combined with butter.
• Paprika: To add some color and flavor to the tilapia, sprinkle it with paprika. Sweet paprika or smoked paprika can both be used. Or swap in another spice or herb like cumin, garlic powder, oregano, dried basil, coriander, or a spice blend.
• Kosher Salt: Tilapia can be very bland on its own and salt helps bring out the flavor of the fish. If the lemon pepper seasoning you are using already has salt, you might not need as much.

Three Ways Make Lemon Pepper Tilapia

This tasty fish can be made in the oven, on the grill, or quickly in a skillet making it a great dinner option all year long.

1. Baked Tilapia

Start by rinsing and drying the tilapia filets. Make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel. Combine the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika. Brush this mixture all over the fish and cover with lemon slices.

Bake the tilapia for 10-12 minutes in a 425-degree oven for 10-12 minutes until the fish is white and flakes easily with a fork.

2. Grilled Tilapia

Tilapia works great on the grill, but there are a few tricks so it doesn’t fall apart. Start by placing the tilapia filets on a few pieces of heavy-duty foil with the edges folded up. Brush the filets with the butter, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning mix.

Place the open foil packet on a preheated grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the fish is flaky and cooked through.

Tilapia can be cooked directly on the grill for 3-4 minutes per side, but it is very prone to falling apart so we prefer to cook it in foil.

3. Skillet Tilapia

Tilapia can also be cooked right in a heavy skillet. Start by drying the tilapia with paper towels to dry. Cover with lemon pepper seasoning and paprika on both sides.

Melt the butter in the pan and add the tilapia in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes and gently flip over using a fish spatula. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through and flaky.

Remove from the pan and squeeze fresh lemon over the top.

Is tilapia a healthy fish to eat?

There is a lot of confusion about tilapia and whether it is safe to eat. In general, tilapia is a great lean source of protein with 23 grams of protein in just 4 ounces of cooked fish. Additionally, tilapia is a great source of phosphorus, selenium, vitamin D, and potassium.

Since tilapia is almost exclusively farm-raised, most of the concerns about tilapia are due to potentially polluted and overcrowded farming environments. However, there are ways to make sure the tilapia you buy is raised in a sustainable and healthy manner.

If you are concerned about the healthiness of the tilapia you are buying, follow these recommendations from SeafoodWatch.org, an independent seafood safety group.

• Choose tilapia farmed in the United States, Ecuador, or Peru. If that isn’t an option, look for tilapia from Columbia, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, and Taiwan. Avoid tilapia raised in China.
• Look for tilapia certified by Aquaculture Stewardship Council, BAP Certified, or Naturland.

Variations and Recipe Ideas

There are lots of ways to customize this recipe and make it your own.

• Crispy coating: If you prefer a crunchy coating on your fish, you can lightly dredge the fish in flour or cornmeal mixed with the lemon pepper seasoning and paprika. Then use the skillet method above to cook the fish. You may need to add some extra olive oil or butter.
• Different fish: This recipe works great with red snapper, salmon, mahi mahi, cod, haddock, and most fish. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Add Parmesan cheese: For a nutty, slightly cheesy flavor, coat the fish with some grated Parmesan cheese as well. If cooking in the oven or grill, only add on one side. If cooking in a skillet, add it to both sides.
• Different spice blend: If lemon pepper isn’t your favorite, make this tilapia with blackening seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or even ranch seasoning.

Side Dish Ideas

This lemon pepper tilapia is extremely versatile and works with so many side dishes. Here are some to try:

• Roasted vegetables: Play up the lemon flavors in this recipe by serving it with some Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Asparagus, or Crispy Roasted Cabbage.
• Salads: When we make this dish on the grill, we almost always serve it with a big salad like this Grilled Vegetable Salad or easy Spring Mix Salad.
• Grains and pasta: Serve this tilapia over a bed of Lemon Broccoli Pasta, some steamed rice, or couscous.
• Potatoes: Make some delicious Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Potato Cauliflower Mash, or a simple baked potato.

Storage and Leftovers

This tilapia dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Leftovers work great in fish tacos, grain bowls, and meal prep with veggies and rice.

Tilapia can also be frozen after being cooked. Let it cool completely and then wrap the filets in plastic wrap or foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, first, thaw the filets in the fridge overnight. Then gently reheat them in a hot skillet or in a 400-degree oven until warmed through.