Description
Succulent pan-fried tilapia meets zesty lemon butter sauce in this Mediterranean-inspired delight. Crisp edges and delicate fish promise a quick, elegant meal that whisks diners straight to coastal kitchens where flavor dances on your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Main Ingredients:
- 4 fillets of tilapia (each weighing 6 ounces, totaling 1.5 pounds or 680 grams)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for seasoning the tilapia)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup (57 grams) salted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from one lemon)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for the sauce)
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat 4 tilapia fillets (about or 170 grams each) completely dry using clean paper towels to ensure optimal crispness.
- Generously season both sides of the fish fillets with garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper, creating an even coating that will enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add of extra-virgin olive oil, allowing it to become hot but not smoking for approximately 2 minutes.
- Carefully arrange the seasoned fillets in a single layer within the skillet, ensuring they do not overlap to promote even cooking and proper caramelization.
- Cook the first side of the fillets for 3-4 minutes until the edges turn opaque and a golden-brown crust develops, indicating proper searing.
- Gently flip each fillet using a thin spatula and cook the opposite side for an additional 2-4 minutes until the fish becomes fully opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Transfer the cooked tilapia to a warm serving plate and loosely tent with aluminum foil to retain heat while preparing the sauce.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium-low and add of salted butter, stirring occasionally as it melts smoothly.
- Pour in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle additional garlic powder into the melted butter, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce becomes slightly thickened and well-integrated.
- Plate the tilapia by first drizzling a layer of lemon butter sauce on each serving plate, then positioning the fish fillets on top and finishing with an additional generous drizzle of sauce before immediate serving.
Notes
- Perfectly dry fish ensures crispy, golden-brown exterior without soggy texture.
- Seasoning both sides creates deep, balanced flavor profile throughout each tender fillet.
- Medium-high heat allows quick searing while maintaining delicate fish’s moisture and preventing overcooking.
- Gentle flipping prevents breaking fragile tilapia and promotes even, consistent cooking.
- Reducing butter sauce concentrates tangy lemon and garlic notes for rich, complementary enhancement.
- Drizzling sauce before and after plating maximizes flavor distribution and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 1054 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.8 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 136 mg