Pan-Seared Tilapia with Cilantro-Lime Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

Light and flaky tilapia fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a bright cilantro-lime butter sauce. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe (low carb), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs tilapia fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 (6 oz each) tilapia fillets
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp lime zest

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Pans + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 4 tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the edges are golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted butter and garlic over the fillets for 1 minute until fragrant and glossy.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tsp lime zest. Spoon the cilantro-lime butter sauce over the tilapia fillets and serve immediately.