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I made this for lunch yesterday and I think I heard angels singing. Tender, flaky pan-seared Tilapia with Browned Butter and Lemon Sauce topped with a few sprigs of rosemary by far beats my normal throw-together lunch – or supper many nights. In about 12 minutes, from start-to-finish, I had one of the most delicious lunches I have had in a very long time.
Bright and flavorful from the lemon and rosemary and rich from the browned butter, this tilapia is a dish that you can’t help but love.
But 12 minutes or less? Seriously – who wouldn’t simply adore that?
Knowing that this would be a quick-cook meal, I tossed a few spears of asparagus into the skillet with my tilapia as it seared. They finished at the same time, although the asparagus still had a bit of a bite to it – just the way I like it. I spooned the same sauce on top of the asparagus.
It is heavenly. Heavenly.

Here’s my recipe for pan-seared Tilapia with Browned Butter and Lemon Sauce. If you like a mild fish, then this is for you.
Tilapia with Browned Butter and Lemon Sauce Recipe

Ingredients
- olive oil
- 4 Tilapia filets thawed
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 lemons sliced thinly
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil into a skillet over medium-high heat. Add tilapia filets, butter, and lemon slices. Turn fish filets carefully after 4-5 minutes of cooking. Place lemon slices on top of tilapia filets and sprinkle with rosemary sprigs. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes. Remove fish from skillet and spoon browned butter and lemon sauce on top.
Nutritional Information
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Here a few other light fish recipes that I think you might enjoy.
Grilled Halibut with Peach Pepper Salsa from Cooking Light
Herb Stuffed Salmon from Leite’s Culinaria
Harry & David’s Charred Pineapple Salmon from Reluctant Entertainer
Oh, yum! That looks delicious, Robyn! I can see why you’d hear angels singin’!
That looks delicious! I usually like to toss in capers to my lemony fish 🙂
Oh, that looks so good. Love tilapia, but I bet this would work with any fish. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing this one!!!!!!!!
I love how quick most seafood is to cook. This is lovely!
definitely making this!
You made this for LUNCH?!?!? You just rocked my world. A glorious, yummy, healthy lunch in about the same amount of time it take me to add chocolate chips to my Greek yogurt?!? I think my life has changed.
Saw the recipe & had to make it right away. Didn’t have lemon, but I had lime & used that instead. Wow, we have a new favorite. Thanks.
Tried this tonight, it was delicious, thanks for the recipe!
Made this for dinner tonight, I served it on a bed of brown rice and it was so quick and easy and AMAZINGLY full of flavor! Thanks for sharing! Definetly a keeper.
Just made this for dinner, so quick and easy! It was a delicious and light dinner!
I have not cooked fresh fish before but this sounds so simple. Pinned it.