Pan-Seared Tilapia 🐟🔥🍋 Crisp Edges, Flaky Inside, and Bright Lemon Butter to Finish

This is weekday fish done right — tender tilapia fillets seared in a hot skillet until golden and crispy at the edges, then finished with lemon, herbs, and optional garlic butter. Fast, healthy, and endlessly pairable with whatever you’ve got on hand: rice, salad, roasted veg, or pasta.

No breading, no fuss — just seasoning, sear, and serve.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the fish

• 2–3 tilapia fillets (about 5–6 oz each)
• Salt and black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika or Old Bay (optional)
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for light dusting — optional)
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
• 1 tbsp butter (for finishing)

Flavor finishers

• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley or dill

To serve

• Rice, quinoa, couscous, or mashed potatoes
• Steamed greens, sautéed spinach, or simple salad
• Extra lemon wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Fish

Pat fillets very dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika or Old Bay. Lightly dust with flour if using — it helps crisp the surface.

Step 2: Sear

Heat oil in a nonstick or stainless skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add fillets. Don’t crowd the pan.

Sear 2–3 minutes per side (depending on thickness), flipping once, until golden and just cooked through. Add butter in the last 30 seconds and spoon over the fish.

Step 3: Finish

Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and sprinkle with zest, garlic (if using), and parsley. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Serve

Plate with your choice of sides and serve hot with extra lemon on the side.

Flavor Variations

• Add capers and a splash of white wine for a quick piccata-style finish
• Swap lemon for lime and top with chili flakes + cilantro for a Latin twist
• Add garlic butter and crushed almonds for a nutty crusted version
• Use Cajun seasoning or curry powder for bolder spice
• Make it creamy: remove fish, then deglaze pan with cream + mustard for sauce

Pro Tips

• Don’t flip early — wait until the fish naturally releases and browns
• Dry fish = better sear. Moisture = steam = no crust
• Cast iron or stainless pans give best browning — but nonstick works too
• Tilapia cooks fast — pull as soon as it flakes easily with a fork
• Butter added at the end = rich finish without burning

Final Thoughts

Pan-Seared Tilapia is light, fast, and quietly elegant — flaky fish with a golden crust and bright lemony pop. It’s a clean slate for sauces, sides, or bold riffs, and always delivers without demanding much in return.

Sear it. Squeeze it. Serve it hot. 🐟🔥🍋

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.