Stovetop Lemon Caper Tilapia
Serve this tilapia over rice or orzo to catch the buttery lemon caper sauce.
Serves2
Prep2 minutes
Cook5 minutes to 7 minutes
If you’re someone who believes that cooking fish at home has to be complicated or stressful, then this dead-simple recipe is for you. Sear tender tilapia fillets in a skillet, baste them in butter, and finish things off with capers and lemon juice for an impressive dinner that’s quick and easy enough to make any night of the week.
A Classic Flavor Combination for Any Fish
Butter, lemon, and capers is a timeless flavor combination that partners well with mild white fish like tilapia, but can also stand up to stronger-flavored salmon. Once you’ve mastered this simple cooking technique, trying swapping out the tilapia with other fish fillets that look good at the fish counter. Cod, snapper, trout, and Arctic char are just a few other fish varieties that would work well here.
Stovetop Lemon Caper Tilapia Recipe
Serve this tilapia over rice or orzo to catch the buttery lemon caper sauce.
Prep time 2 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes to 7 minutes
Serves 2
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
Olive oil
- 2
(4-ounce) tilapia fillets
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon
unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon
capers
- 1 to 2
lemon wedges
Instructions
Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Meanwhile, season 2 (4-ounce) tilapia fillets with salt and black pepper.
Add the fillets to the pan and sear until the bottoms are browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets with a flat spatula and immediately add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon capers to the pan. Cook until the fish is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze 1 to 2 lemon wedges over the fish before serving.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.