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Easy Zesty Lemon Herb Tilapia Recipe with Roasted Asparagus

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A quick and flavorful baked tilapia dish infused with fresh lemon and herbs, paired perfectly with roasted asparagus. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tilapia fillets (6 oz / 170 g each), fresh or thawed if frozen
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional but recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 12–15 spears), trimmed and washed
  • Salt to taste (kosher or sea salt recommended)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt (about ½ teaspoon), pepper (¼ teaspoon), and red pepper flakes if using.
  3. Trim the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends, rinse, and pat dry.
  4. Arrange asparagus on one side of a baking sheet. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon of the marinade and toss to coat evenly in a single layer.
  5. Place tilapia fillets on the other side of the baking sheet. Brush each fillet generously with the lemon herb marinade on both sides without drowning them.
  6. Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender yet crisp with slight browning.
  7. Check doneness starting at 12 minutes; if fillets are opaque and flake easily, they are done. If not, cook a couple more minutes but watch closely.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes to allow juices to settle.
  9. Serve immediately with roasted asparagus and lemon wedges for extra zing.

Notes

Do not overcook the tilapia to keep it moist and flaky. Pat fish dry before marinating to avoid sogginess. For extra crispy asparagus, broil for the last 1-2 minutes but watch closely to prevent burning. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a low oven to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: tilapia, lemon herb tilapia, roasted asparagus, easy fish recipe, healthy dinner, quick weeknight meal, baked fish, lemon garlic fish

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/easy-zesty-lemon-herb-tilapia-recipe-with-roasted-asparagus-step-by-step/