15 minutes

Lemon Pepper Tilapia

This lemon pepper tilapia recipe is a quick and easy option for a healthy dinner any night of the week. With fresh tilapia fillets coated in lemon pepper seasoning and pan fried in a lemon butter sauce, this delicious recipe is on the table in less than 15 minutes!

I am ALWAYS on the search for the quickest weeknight meals. Especially on the nights that my kids have activities, I need an easy recipe that can be on the table in 20 minutes or less. Fresh tilapia filets are a perfect option for busy weeknights. Tilapia is a flaky white fish that my whole family loves, and it cooks in under 10 minutes. Now that is truly quick!

This simple recipe for pan fried lemon pepper tilapia is a great way to get dinner on the table tonight. Full of bright fresh flavors, this easy family-friendly recipe is a great choice for kids who are new to fish. Tilapia has a super mild taste and tender texture, and the butter sauce and fresh lemon in this recipe really gives the fish a delicious flavor. My kids even prefer tilapia to chicken! Serve with a green salad and a side of rice (coconut basmati rice is my favorite), and you have a healthy dinner on the table in almost no time.

For other healthy and simple weeknight meals with delicious sauces, try my sheet pan pesto butter salmon, ground turkey teriyaki, or inside out chicken cordon bleu.

A plated tilapia filet, with lemons and herbs on top. The tilapia is flaked with one bite held on a fork. A serving dish of more fish and potatoes is in the background.

You Will Love This

  • Fish is a great source of protein and a great addition to your family’s diet!
  • Once you practice the basics of pan frying fish, you can substitute tons of different seasonings for endless yummy meals on the table in 15 minutes or less!

Ingredients

Ingredients for lemon pepper tilapia on a marble background.

To make lemon pepper tilapia, you need a handful of simple ingredients (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

  • Tilapia: I like to get the fresh fish filets from my grocery store meat and seafood department. You can absolutely use frozen fish for this recipe, just make sure to remember to leave time to thaw it!
  • Butter: I used salted butter, but unsalted butter would work great too.
  • Olive Oil: I use a mix of butter (for flavor) and olive oil (for higher smoke point).
  • Lemon pepper seasoning: One of my favorite seasoning blends! This seasoning blend can contain different ingredients based on the brand, but traditionally includes salt, black pepper, lemon, onion and garlic. It’s delicious on fish and chicken breast.
  • Fresh lemon juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice in this recipe, rather than bottled, for a nice bright pop of flavor.
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (optional)
  • Fresh herbs (optional): I used a little bit of fresh thyme for garnish. Fresh parsley would also be great!

Instructions

Step One: Pat fish dry with paper towel. Season each side of the fish with lemon pepper seasoning.

A white cutting board with raw tilapia filets seasoned with lemon pepper seasoning.

Step Two: Add butter and olive oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Melt butter completely.

A skillet with melting butter on a marble background, with lemon slices and herbs to the side.

Step Three: Add seasoned tilapia fish to the pan. Cook on each side for about 4 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is white throughout. The fish is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F on a meat thermometer.

A skillet with cooked lemon pepper tilapia on a marble background.

Step Four: Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the tilapia and mix it in with the butter in the pan. Taste the fish and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve the tilapia with the lemon butter sauce spooned over top, and garnished with fresh lemon slices and thyme.

A white serving platter with four lemon pepper tilapia filets garnished with lemons and herbs.

Storage

Store leftover fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat fish slowly on half power in the microwave, to avoid over-cooking and drying out your leftovers!

An overhead view of tilapia plated with asparagus spears. The fish is garnished with lemon and herbs, and more lemons and herbs are to the side.

Lemon Pepper Tilapia

This lemon pepper tilapia recipe is a quick and easy option for a healthy dinner any night of the week. With fresh tilapia fillets coated in lemon pepper seasoning and pan fried in a lemon butter sauce, this delicious recipe is on the table in less than 15 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 4 tilapia filets 6-7 ounces each
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice plus fresh lemon slices for garnish
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Pat fish dry with paper towel. Season each side of the fish with lemon pepper seasoning.
  • Add butter and olive oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Melt butter completely.
  • Add seasoned tilapia fish to the pan. Cook on each side for about 4 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is white throughout. The fish is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
  • Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the tilapia and mix it in with the butter in the pan. Taste the fish and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve the tilapia with the lemon butter sauce spooned over top, and garnished with fresh lemon slices and thyme.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 0.5gProtein: 34gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 525mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 178IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Keyword lemon pepper fish, lemon pepper tilapia, lemon tilapia
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