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Donna R. Luis

Tender Lemon Pepper Tilapia

Flaky oven-baked tilapia is seasoned with lemon pepper, lemon zest, garlic powder, and kosher salt, then finished with fresh lemon juice and herbs for a bright, flavorful dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds tilapia 3 to 4 fillets
  • Olive oil for drizzling
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper preferably no-salt-added
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder optional but recommended
  • 1 lemon zested and half sliced
  • 1 handful fresh Italian parsley or fresh herbs for garnish
  • Optional sauce as desired
For the Salt-Containing Lemon Pepper Variation:
  • If the lemon pepper mixture contains salt use 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt instead, then add more to taste when serving.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking dish
  • Food thermometer
  • Microplane or fine grater for lemon zest
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and allow the tilapia to come to room temperature.
  2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly oil the baking dish so the tilapia can be placed directly inside for baking.
  3. Dry the Tilapia: Pat each tilapia fillet dry, then arrange the fillets in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Season the Fish: Drizzle the tilapia lightly with olive oil, then evenly divide the kosher salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and fresh lemon zest among the fillets.
  5. Bake the Tilapia: Place the baking dish in the 425°F oven and bake the fillets for 16 to 18 minutes, depending on their thickness, until they are browned and flaky and reach an internal temperature of 140°F when checked with a food thermometer.
  6. Finish with Lemon: Remove the baked tilapia from the oven, spritz the fillets with the juice from 1/2 of the lemon, and finish with slices from the remaining lemon half.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the fish with fresh Italian parsley or other fresh herbs, then serve immediately with an optional dipping or butter sauce if desired.
  8. Store Leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover tilapia for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Use lemon pepper labeled no salt added for the original 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt measurement.
  • If the lemon pepper mixture contains salt, reduce the kosher salt to 1/8 teaspoon, then add more to taste when serving.
  • Garlic powder is optional, but it is recommended in the source recipe for additional savory flavor.
  • Baking time can range from 16 to 18 minutes depending on the thickness of the tilapia fillets.
  • Check the thickest part of the fish with a food thermometer; the source specifies an internal temperature of 140°F.
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
  • Optional sauces include dill sauce, tahini yogurt, tartar sauce, lemon butter sauce, or garlic butter sauce.