Luscious Lemon Pepper Tilapia Recipe for Gourmet Meal
Welcome, my dear gourmands, to a delightful recipe featuring succulent tilapia fillets infused with the fresh zest of tangy lemons complemented by the bold taste of peppery seasonings. This recipe is perfect for those who desire a simple, yet elegant meal that is sure to dazzle your taste buds.
Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something special for a date night, this lemon pepper tilapia with a lemon-wine sauce recipe will satisfy all of your culinary desires. The best part? It requires only a handful of ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
So why not add some zest to your dinner repertoire with this delectable dish? Join me as we dive into the wonderful world of tilapia, lemon, and wine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Dear food lovers,
Let me take a moment and share with you why this Lemon Pepper Tilapia recipe is such a delicious and savory option for your next meal. Not only is it full of flavor, but it’s also easy to make and perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to serve up something quick and healthy.
First off, let’s talk about the star of the dish – the tilapia. It’s a versatile fish that absorbs flavors really well, making it perfect for the zingy lemon pepper seasoning that brings this dish to life. The result is a juicy and tender fish fillet that bursts with bright citrus flavors while still keeping its mild flavor.
To add more depth to this dish, we’ve created a lemon wine sauce that has an irresistible tanginess to complement the lemon pepper tilapia. This rich sauce introduces buttery qualities that create well-rounded tones along with white wine, fresh dill, shallot, and chicken bouillon. I promise once you try this sauce, you’ll be putting it on everything!
Moreover, if you are looking for a healthier option or someone who doesn’t like fried fish, this recipe is pan-seared with olive oil rather than being deep-fried. Hence, you can enjoy a lighter meal without sacrificing any taste.
In short, whether it’s served with vegetables or alongside rice or pasta, this Lemon Pepper Tilapia recipe is perfect in all forms. It is light yet flavorful- making it perfect for lunch or dinner. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you for making this mouth-watering dish.
Happy Cooking!
Ingredient List
Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for our delicious Lemon Pepper Tilapia with a Lemon-Wine Sauce recipe:
For the Tilapia:
- 4 fillets of tilapia (white)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- Cooking spray
For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- 2 tbsp of unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Additions:
- Fresh dill, chopped for garnish
- Shallot, chopped fine
Note that substitutions and variations are possible.
The Recipe How-To
Pan-Seared Tilapia with Lemon-Wine Sauce Recipe
This pan-seared tilapia recipe with lemon-wine sauce is perfect for a romantic dinner or a weeknight meal. The tilapia fillets are seasoned with lemon pepper and then pan-seared until golden brown on the outside and flaky on the inside. A tangy and aromatic white wine sauce made with fresh dill, shallot, garlic, butter, and chicken bouillon take less than twenty minutes to make.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious pan-seared tilapia with lemon-wine sauce.
- 4 (4-6 oz.) fillets tilapia
- 2 tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/4 cup Flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lemon-Wine Sauce Recipe:
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup chicken bouillon dissolved in
-1/4 cup water - 2 tbsp. lemon juice plus zest of one lemon
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 tsp. cornstarch dissolve in a tablespoon
-of cold water - Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill, roughly chopped
Instructions
Here’s how to make the pan-seared tilapia with lemon-wine sauce recipe:
- Pat dry tilapia fillets using a paper towel. Season both sides of each tilapia fillet generously with lemon pepper seasoning, flour and salt.
- Heat up olive oil in a frying pan over high heat.
- Add tilapia fillets once the frying pan is hot enough.
- Cook for three minutes on one side.
- Turn over and cook them for an additional three minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove pan-seared tilapia from the frying pan, and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-high, add some butter to the frying pan along with finely chopped shallots and minced garlic.
- Sautee for one minute, then add in white wine, chicken bouillon, lemon juice plus zest of one lemon.
- Add salt and pepper to taste along with roughly chopped fresh dill.
- Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce is slightly reduced.
- Add cornstarch mixture (which should be a mixture of 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water) while whisking continuously.
- Let it simmer for another minute until the sauce has thickenened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Plate up the seared tilapia fillets on a plate and pour garlic lemon butter sauce over them.
**Enjoy
Substitutions and Variations
Looking to switch things up with this lemon pepper tilapia recipe? There are plenty of substitutions and variations to make it your own.
For a non-alcoholic version, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of dry white wine in the lemon-wine sauce. And for those with a seafood allergy or preference, you can easily swap out the tilapia fillets for another fish such as salmon or cod.
If you don’t have access to fresh dill, you can try substituting it with other herbs like parsley or cilantro. Additionally, if you can’t find shallots at your local market, you can use onions instead for a similar flavor profile.
For those who love extra heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the lemon pepper seasoning. And if you’re not a fan of lemon, you can omit the zest and lemon juice altogether and opt for just a simple seasoning blend of salt and black pepper on your fish.
Finally, for a creamy twist to the lemon-wine sauce, try stirring in some heavy cream or using half-and-half instead of chicken bouillon and cornstarch mixture. The possibilities are endless!
Serving and Pairing
After preparing this delicious Lemon Pepper Tilapia with a Lemon-Wine Sauce, it’s time to serve and enjoy the fruits of your labor. The crisp white wine sauce pairs beautifully with the buttery and tangy flavors of the baked or pan-seared tilapia fillets.
To serve, place around 6 ounces of tilapia onto a plate and drizzle the lemon wine sauce over the top, garnish with fresh dill or lemon zest for a pop of color. For a complete meal, pair it with roasted asparagus or green beans, and a side dish of rice pilaf.
If you’re looking for a wine pairing suggestion, consider serving this dish alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The bright acidity and citrus notes in the wine complement the zesty flavors in the dish and cut through the richness of the buttery sauce.
Alternatively, if you prefer red wine, try pairing this tilapia recipe with a light-bodied Pinot Noir. The silky texture and fruit-forward notes in the wine balance out the savory flavors while not overpowering them.
No matter which wine you choose, this Lemon Pepper Tilapia with a Lemon-Wine Sauce is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next dinner party or family gathering.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Lemon Pepper Tilapia with a Lemon-Wine Sauce recipe is perfect for make-ahead meals because the fish can be cooked in advance and reheated later.
To store the cooked tilapia, let it cool down and then place it into an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the fillets onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
If you have leftover sauce, transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat your lemon butter sauce, simply warm it up on low heat in a small saucepan and whisk constantly.
When reheating the fish and sauce together, make sure to keep them separate until just before serving. Place the cooked fillets onto plates and pour the warm sauce over them.
With these easy make-ahead instructions, you can enjoy this delicious recipe even on a busy weeknight.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure that this lemon pepper tilapia with a lemon-wine sauce recipe turns out perfectly, here are some essential tips to follow:
1. Use fresh ingredients: This recipe requires several fresh ingredients like dill, shallot, and garlic. Ensure that these items are recently purchased and have not gone bad or lost their flavor.
2. Pat the Tilapia fillets dry: Before applying any seasoning or cooking the fish, pat the tilapia fillets dry using paper towels. This will help ensure that the seasoning sticks to the fish and that there is no excess water on the surface of the fish.
3. Control the heat: The perfect heat for cooking tilapia is medium-high heat. It’s too high a flame would cause overcooking and too low cause undercook.
4. Don’t overcook the tilapia: Overcooked tilapia becomes chewy and rubbery, so keep an eye on it while cooking, as it tends to cook fast.
5. Adjust seasoning to taste: While the recipe has suggested salt and pepper amounts, it’s always a good idea to adjust it according to your taste.
6. Thicken the sauce if needed: If you find that your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after simmering for a couple of minutes, you can mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce until fully incorporated.
7. Stir frequently: To avoid burning or sticking in the pan during cooking sauce, make sure you always stir/whisk the sauce frequently.
8. Garnish with lemon wedges: Served alongside some sliced wedge lemons – not only do they add color but their tangy flavor pairs beautifully with this dish elevation taste even more flavorful.
By following these tips, you’ll achieve fantastic results every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Lemon Pepper Tilapia with a Lemon-Wine Sauce recipe is perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-follow recipe provides a delicious and well-rounded meal that anyone can enjoy. The combination of lemon and white wine creates a zingy and refreshing taste that will captivate your taste buds.
Still not convinced? Here’s one final thought: this dish is incredibly versatile! You can pair it with various sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a crisp salad. You can also adjust the recipe to make it your own by adding different herbs or spices to suit your preferences.
Overall, this recipe delivers an exceptional experience that everyone deserves to try at least once in their life. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking and impress your guests with this delightful and tasty Lemon Pepper Tilapia with Lemon-Wine Sauce recipe tonight!
Lemon Pepper Tiliapia With a Lemon-Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 pieces tilapia fillets
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 lemon, juice of
- 1 lemon, zest of
Instructions
- brush fish with olive oil and sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning.
- bake fish on 350 for 30 minutes.
- while fish is baking in a medium saucepan melt butter. add shallot and lemon zest and saute until tender.
- add dill, lemon juice, wine, chicken bullion and simmer about fifteen minutes.
- dissolve cornstarch in water and mix into sauce.
- simmer and stir about five minutes until sauce is slightly thickened.
- drizzle sauce over warm fish.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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