Baked Tilapia with Herbs (Printable)

Tender tilapia fillets baked with fresh herbs and lemon slices for a light, flavorful meal.

# What goes in:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each)

→ Herbs & Aromatics

02 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Other

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced
11 - Cooking spray or additional olive oil for greasing

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and place them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, mix parsley, dill, basil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Drizzle olive oil over the fillets, then evenly sprinkle the herb mixture on top.
05 - Arrange thinly sliced lemon pieces atop the fillets to infuse flavor while baking.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fish stays tender and juicy while the herbs create a flavor that tastes like you spent hours on prep.
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner doesn't have to be complicated.
  • Everything cooks in one dish, so cleanup is almost as easy as the cooking itself.
02 -
  • Tilapia cooks fast, so set a timer—I've overcooked it more times than I'd like to admit by assuming I had more time than I did.
  • Fresh herbs make all the difference here; dried herbs will taste dusty and won't give you that alive, bright flavor that makes people ask what you did differently.
  • Don't skip patting the fish dry, even though it feels like an extra step—it's the difference between a juicy fillet and one that turns rubbery.
03 -
  • If your fillets are thick, they'll need closer to 20 minutes; thinner ones might be done in 15, so start checking early.
  • Keep a lemon wedge handy at the table for anyone who wants an extra squeeze—some people love it, and it costs nothing to offer.

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