Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia

Over the past year, I’ve been diving into Filipino cuisine, everything from Sinigang to Sizzling Sisig to Turon. Learning these dishes has inspired me to create this Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia recipe, which pulls from the bold, savory, garlicky flavors I’ve grown to love. If you’re interested in exploring more, be sure to check out all the Filipino recipes I’ve shared on the Filipino Cuisine page. Now let’s get into it.

Is Fresh or Frozen Tilapia Best?

Fresh whole tilapia is best for this recipe; however, if you only have access to frozen, just make sure it is completely thawed and patted dry before you start. Using a whole fish with the bone in really helps keep the meat moist while it bakes, especially with that spicy marinade we’re about to make.

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Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia Ingredients

• Whole Tilapia: Properly gutted and rinsed.
• The Marinade: Fresh tomato, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.
• Flavor Boosters: Lemon juice, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, and fish sauce.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder (lots of it!), onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• The Stuffing: Sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and optional butter/lemon slices.

How to Make the Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia

Okay guys, we’re going to start by making the marinade. Grab your blender and combine the tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lemon juice, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, fish sauce, and seasonings. I encourage you to chop the veggies into smaller pieces first so the blender can do its job. I have an older blender, so I have to make do with what it do sometimes lol! Once it’s blended, it should be a nice thick consistency, which is perfect for rubbing on the fish.

Preheat your oven to 375°F. While that’s heating up, grab your fish and make three diagonal lines along the front and back of the tilapia. This helps that marinade really get deep into the meat so every bite is flavorful, plus it makes the fish look cute for pictures!

Rub the marinade all over the tilapia, making sure to get it inside the cavity too. Once it’s well coated, stuff the belly with sliced red onion and cilantro. If you want a more citrusy, rich taste, go ahead and add a few slices of butter and lemon in the belly or right on top.

Place the tilapia in the oven, covered with foil, for 25-30 minutes. During the final 15 minutes of cook time, remove the foil (this is the secret to letting the top of the fish get that nice crust). You’re looking for an internal temperature of 145°F.

Remove it from the oven and serve it up with lemon slices, Garlic Butter Rice, fried saba banana, and some fresh red onion and tomato on the side. You can’t forget the sawasan (dipping sauce) that my fiance and I jokingly call “crack sauce”!

Print Recipe

Oven Baked

Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia

Author: neskitchen Cooking Method: Baking Cuisine: American, Filipino Courses: Dinner, Main Course Recipe Keys: T Tilapia recipe

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 40 mins

Cooking Temp: 375  F Servings: 1 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 320

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Dietary:

G gluten free L low carb friendly P pescatarian

Description

This Spicy Garlic Baked Tilapia is simple, flavorful, and straight to the point. It’s inspired by the bold, garlicky flavors I’ve come to love from cooking Filipino dishes at home. The marinade is savory with a little heat, the fish stays tender and juicy, and the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that doesn’t feel boring and pairs perfectly with rice and a good dipping sauce.

Ingredients

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Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 whole tilapia
• ⅓ tomato
• 2 cloves garlic
• ⅓ jalapeño
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tbsp Knorr Liquid Seasoning
• ⅓ tsp tsp fish sauce
• ⅓ tsp Tony’s garlic & herb seasoning
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking dish with foil.
2. Add the tomato, garlic, red onion, olive oil, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, fish sauce, Tony’s seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, cilantro, and jalapeño to a blender. Blend until smooth and thick.
   
3. Pat the tilapia dry and make three diagonal slits on each side of the fish.
   
4. Rub the marinade generously all over the tilapia, making sure to coat the inside cavity and slits.
   
5. Stuff the fish with sliced red onion and cilantro. Add butter or lemon slices if using.
   

6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.

7. Remove foil during the last 10–15 minutes to allow the top to lightly brown.
8. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
   
9. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with lemon slices and your favorite sides.
   

Nutrition Facts

Servings 1

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 320kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Sodium 780mg33%

Total Carbohydrate 6g2%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 3g

Protein 38g76%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: 30 minute meal, bold flavors, beginner friendly, seafood recipe, baked not fried, simple marinade

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