Lemon Garlic Tilapia Packets (Printable)

Zesty tilapia and green beans steamed in foil for a healthy, low-calorie meal option.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Vegetables

01 - 4 tilapia fillets, 4 oz each, fresh or thawed
02 - 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced

→ Marinade & Seasonings

05 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 2 large garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat oven to 400°F
02 - Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until combined
03 - Lay out 4 large sheets of aluminum foil. Divide green beans evenly among the centers of each sheet and top with sliced red onion
04 - Pat tilapia fillets dry and place one fillet on top of each vegetable pile
05 - Drizzle each fillet with prepared lemon-garlic marinade and top with 2-3 lemon slices
06 - Fold foil over fish and vegetables, sealing tightly to form a packet. Arrange packets on a baking sheet
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until tilapia is opaque and flakes easily with a fork
08 - Carefully open packets, allowing steam to escape. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's foolproof—the foil packet does most of the thinking for you, leaving almost no room for the fish to dry out.
  • Everything cooks at once, which means minimal cleanup and a complete, balanced meal in one packet.
  • The bright citrus and garlic make it taste indulgent even though it's genuinely light on calories and fat.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the fish dry; wet fish steams unevenly and can stick to the foil, ruining both the presentation and your dinner mood.
  • Seal your foil packets tightly enough to trap steam but not so aggressively that you puncture them—a gentle but firm crimp along all edges is the sweet spot.
  • The 18 to 20 minute window is exact; check at 18 minutes by carefully peeling back a corner of foil and looking at the thickest part of the fish to avoid overcooking.
03 -
  • Use heavy-duty foil if you have it—regular foil can tear under the weight of the steam and vegetables, creating an annoying mess.
  • Mince your garlic finely and let it sit in the olive oil mixture for a few minutes before using; the oil will start to infuse with garlic flavor and distribute it more evenly than chunky pieces would.
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