Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia – A Budget Friendly Dinner Recipe

If you are on the hunt for a great budget-friendly recipe that your whole family will love, then you need to try this garlic butter baked tilapia. It takes only a few minutes to prep, and dinner will be on the table in a little over 20 minutes. Serve it with rice, potatoes, pasta, or grilled vegetables for an inexpensive meal that is healthy and fast.

Tilapia is one of the best budget fish options that you can find in most grocery stores. While some stores sell it fresh at the meat counter, most stores also sell it pre-packaged in the freezer section.

In addition to being reasonably priced, tilapia has a very mild fish flavor, which allows the other flavors in this recipe to shine. The milder flavor is a huge benefit if some of your family members aren’t as seafood-obsessed as others.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

*Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the full recipe, including exact measurements and amounts. You can also print out the instructions. I go into a bit more detail about the recipe here first, just in case you need it.

• Budget-Friendly: Tilapia is typically less expensive than other types of fish. Combined with its light flavor, it is a perfect choice to make. I do provide you with alternatives further down the recipe.
• Quick To Make: You will have dinner on the table in a little over 20 minutes from start to finish, which makes it great for busy weeknights.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need basic pantry seasonings and butter in addition to the fish.
• Family-Friendly: Since tilapia has a mild fish flavor, even those who aren’t seafood fans can enjoy it.
• Customizable: Feel free to play around with the seasoning flavors. Add a few dashes of red pepper flakes to bring a little heat to the dish if desired.
• Flexible: Tilapia pairs up nicely with tons of different side dishes.

A Little About Tilapia

Tilapia is a freshwater fish; however, most of the fish you purchase in stores are raised in an aquaculture facility. You usually will see the term “Farm Raised” on the packages. They are a fast-growing, lean white fish that live easily in crowded spaces, making them perfect for commercial growing.

Besides being great for those families who are on a budget, tilapia has other great advantages. One of those that I already mentioned is that it has a milder fish flavor and a light, flaky texture.

While tilapia isn’t particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids compared to fish like salmon or trout, it is still a great source of nutrients and lean protein. This is especially true in recipes that are baked as opposed to breaded and fried.

In fact, a typical serving of tilapia (about 3.5 ounces) can provide between 23 and 26 grams of protein while having only 128 calories and about 3 grams of fat. In addition, tilapia helps to provide vitamin B12 and other nutrients and minerals.

Other Fish You Can Use

If you are unable to find tilapia or aren’t a big fan of this fish, there are other great options you can use to make Garlic Butter Baked Fish instead.

Cod – Cod has a mild flavor and a similar texture to tilapia. It also pairs great with the garlic butter. Note that since cod fillets are often thicker than tilapia, you may need to add a few additional minutes to your cooking time.

Pollock – Pollock is a wild-caught saltwater fish that has a bit more omega-3 fatty acids compared to tilapia. It is also a great budget-friendly option that has a mild flavor and a similar lean white fish texture.

Catfish – This is a popular choice for those of us who live near large freshwater rivers like the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers. Catfish has a slightly stronger flavor profile, but it also pairs nicely with garlic and butter flavors.

Haddock – This fish is another great swap for tilapia. Haddock still has a mild fish flavor, but it is slightly firmer in texture in comparison. It might be slightly more expensive than tilapia, though, so make sure you compare prices if that is a concern to you.

How To Make Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Ingredients

• Butter – I like to use salted butter, mostly because it is what we always have on hand. However, you can also use unsalted if you prefer. Just increase the amount of salt you add in the seasonings.
• Garlic – Minced garlic is best because it gives the fish an extra depth of flavor. If you don’t have garlic cloves on hand, though, you can swap for garlic powder.
• Seasonings – I don’t use specific measurements for the seasonings because they are somewhat to taste. I usually add salt, pepper, dried parsley, and paprika.
• Tilapia – Any mild-tasting white fish works well for this recipe, but tilapia is our choice.

Steps To Take – Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit (F). In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add all of the seasonings and the garlic and bring to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and allow the butter to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.

Meanwhile, grease a 9 x 13″ baking dish lightly with butter or oil. Add the thawed fish in a single layer. It’s ok if they overlap slightly.

Brush the garlic butter mixture over the fish. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145º F in the deepest part of the fillet. The fish should be nice and flaky.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container within two hours after baking. Keep it in the refrigerator and consume within 3 to 4 days.

What’s The Best Way To Reheat Leftover Tilapia?

There are really three ways to reheat tilapia and other baked fish. The best way is to use your oven at 275º F. Place the fish in a baking dish and add a little bit of water or broth to the bottom of the pan. Cover the dish with foil and heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

The next best option is to use a skillet on your stovetop. Heat the skillet over low heat in a small amount of butter or oil. Cover the pan with a lid and warm the fish for just a few minutes. Check often to prevent overcooking.

The last option is the one I use most often, but it usually creates a more rubbery texture. Put the fish on a microwave-safe dish. Add a few drops of water, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave at 30 to 50% power. Cook for 20 seconds at a time to prevent overcooking.

Frequently Asked Questions – Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia

How do I know when the fish is done? The fish is officially done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145º F. Insert a Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer (Product Link) into the thickest part of the fillet. Since some fillets are thicker than others, the temperature at which they are done will vary. In addition, the fish should flake easily with a fork when it is fully cooked.

Can I use frozen tilapia? Definitely! I use frozen tilapia most often. Just be sure to thaw the fish properly before baking and pat them dry before adding the seasonings.

Can you cook tilapia from frozen? While you can cook it from frozen, the fish will release quite a bit of water, and the texture won’t be as nice. For best results, thaw the fish before baking.

What to serve the baked fish with? With such a mild fish flavor, there are basically unliminted amount of side dishes you can pair Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia with. Some of our personal favorites are white or brown rice, steamed or roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes. A nice tossed salad and some dinner rolls are also a great option as well.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
– Chelsea

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