When dinner needs to happen fast, look no further than fish — and this pan fried tilapia recipe is one of the easiest! In just 20 minutes, you can whip up pan seared tilapia with lemon butter sauce… perfectly flaky, flavorful, and tender. No breading needed! I’m all about quick pan cooking with fish (my pan seared halibut and pan seared salmon are prime examples)… and if you’re wondering how to make tilapia pan fried, it’s just as easy! You only need a few ingredients to make this white fish taste truly special.
Pan Fried Tilapia Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for searing tilapia, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
How to season tilapia:
Garlic PowderSea Salt & Black PepperOlive Oil – I use extra virgin here, but any olive oil will work.
This is all you really need, but if you want a more complex seasoning, try adding some paprika or lemon pepper seasoning.
For the lemon butter sauce:
Salted Butter – I use a grass-fed variety, but any salted version will work in this dish. If you use unsalted butter, you’ll need to add salt to taste. You can also use ghee if you like.Lemon Juice – Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, but a bottled variety is fine, too.Garlic Powder
How To Cook Tilapia In A Pan
This section shows how to pan fry tilapia with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Season. Pat fillets dry with paper towels and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
TIP: Make sure fillets are completely dry. This will ensure that they brown well.
Fry. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add fillets in a single layer. Sear until edges are opaque, then flip and cook until done. (You can reduce heat to medium if it starts to brown too much.) Remove and cover with foil to keep warm.
TIP: Work in batches if needed. Tilapia should fit in a single layer on the pan.
Make sauce. In the same pan, melt butter. Stir in lemon juice and garlic powder, and continue heating until sauce becomes dark yellow. Remove immediately.
Plate. Drizzle sauce on each serving plate, add the pan fried tilapia fillet over it, then top with a tablespoon or two of sauce. I like to garnish with a lemon slice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
How Long To Pan Fry Tilapia?
Sear tilapia for 3-4 minutes on the first side, then 2-4 minutes on the second side. There are several doneness indicators to know how long to pan sear tilapia. Check these clues:
Fish flakes easily at its thickest point with a forkFillet is completely opaque and no longer translucentA meat thermometer measures internal temperature of 140-145 degrees
Can You Pan Fry Frozen Tilapia?
You can prepare a frozen tilapia fillet pan fried, but it will take a few extra minutes on each side. Check internal temperature for doneness, since frozen fish does not cook as evenly as thawed fillets. If you have a few extra minutes to thaw your frozen fillets overnight in the fridge or under cold water, it’s much better that way!
Storage Instructions
Store: Store pan fried tilapia with sauce in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.Reheat: Bake leftovers at 350 degrees F until heated through.Freeze: Place pan seared tilapia fillets on a platter or baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container and store up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Pan Seared Tilapia
Pan seared tilapia with lemon butter sauce pairs perfectly with these quick sides:
Green Beans AlmondineOven Roasted VegetablesIsraeli SaladBaked Ratatouille
More Easy Fish Recipes
Pan Seared HalibutPan Seared SalmonLemon Baked CodParmesan Crusted TilapiaBaked Lemon Butter Tilapia
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
