My husband likes this tilapia filet recipe a lot, but he grew up hating fish. Some people think they don't like fish, but it's often because they never learned how to cook it correctly.
Even restaurants don't always cook fish properly, especially in land-locked parts of the country, like here in south central Nebraska! Over-cooked fish is no bueno!
This delicious dish is perfect for Lent, but this tilapia filet recipe is amazing anytime you want to make a fast, tasty dinner! Frozen tilapia filets defrost quickly and cook perfectly in your microwave in less than ten minutes!
Tilapia has a mild, neutral taste that works well with many cooking methods. It is usually more affordable than salmon, cod, or other fish. It provides a great source of lean protein, so it is a healthy choice!
Tilapia is widely available, and the thin filets make it exceptionally quick to defrost and cook in many different ways. This makes it ideal for busy weeknight dinners when speed is everything!
Today, fish is flash-frozen at its freshest and most nutritious possible moment. Many commercial fishing companies have amazing modern facilities for freezing fish on the boat minutes after the catch. This method is also used for ocean-caught fish and farm-raised fish.
Having some frozen fish tucked away in your freezer is super convenient! That way, you don't have to make a special trip to the store to buy "fresh" fish when you're hungry!
Also, frozen fish is often less expensive than fresh fish, especially if you live in the middle of the country, as I do. (In today's economy, we need to consider every possible advantage for saving money on groceries.)
Arrange filets in a greased pie plate and sprinkle generously with lemon pepper.
Squeeze lemon juice lavishly over the seasoned filets.
Smother the filets with a layer of coarsely crushed saltine cracker crumbs.
Dot the cracker crumbs with little pats of butter and a healthy sprinkle of parsley.
Next, use waxed paper, a lightly dampened napkin, or a paper towel to completely cover the pie plate. Now, cook it on medium in the microwave for three minutes.
Take the dish out and redistribute the butter a little bit so most of the crackers get some butter. Replace the cover and cook for another two to three minutes. Do not overcook! The fish should look opaque and flake easily with a fork.
If you have an instant-read thermometer, fish is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), as the FDA recommends. When you take the fish out of the microwave, it will continue to cook for a little bit.
There you have it! It's easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Perfect on a busy night during Lent or any time! If you like, you could add some dill weed or fresh dill.
Here's a quick and easy way to cook crunchy, buttery tilapia filets in your microwave.
This tilapia filet recipe pairs perfectly with boiled baby red or gold potatoes and peas. Coleslaw would be another tasty plate partner for this cozy supper dish!
You may like my Butter Baked Cod or Salmon Dinner recipes, too!
If you liked this recipe for tilapia filets, you are my people! If you did, please share it on your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter! It would sure tickle me, and I would be ever so grateful!
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Love GB (Betty Streff)
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It was absolutely delicious and even better it only took a few minutes to prepare. I'm ready to go to the grocery store to get some more T.ilapia. And I loved having the photos to see what mine was supposed to look like. Yum Yum.
I have never left a review but heavens that was delicious! Better than any restaurants! My family loved it also. I made it with a salad and brown rice! Thank you!
Oh my gosh, Marvis, you made my day!!! I'm so tickled you liked it. It is so fast and so easy, it's kinda surprising how good it is! It's so appreciated that you took time from your busy life to comment! Thanks, bunches!
Why do you not offer an option to print the recipe like others who share recipes.
OH MY GOODNESS!! I am soooo sorry! What a cotton-headed ninny muggins thing to do and you are the only person who has poked me about it! Thank YOU!! It's there now!!!
The recipe looks like one I would love to try.
But......I do not cook in a microwave.
Could you suggest temperature & timing for using an oven instead?
And.....Would it work for other types of fish? If so, what kinds?
Thank you -
I have't tried it so this is what I got online- it all makes sense, but i have not tried it. I emailed it to you. Curious what your objection is to microwave cooking though.
we have a microwave and i use it for reheating leftovers, occasional thawing, and suchlike.
but, for me, cooking is HOBBY that i enjoy and i prefer to participate in the art of the process.
i am retired and in no big hurry to prepare a meal. i would rather use a regular stove and a hands-on approach.
also, i have found that even a newer microwave often does not cook all parts of some ingredients evenly. baked potatoes with hard areas, for example.
I don't "cook" alot in my microwave either, baked potatoes, for example are light years better roasted in the oven as I describe in my post on the subject. A few things work well in the microwave, though, and I am an equal-oportunity user of all kitchen gadgets. LOL Cooking is my love language. I bet i am older than you.