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This Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia Recipe is so easy it is hard to even call it a recipe. You can have dinner in under 10 minutes that is seasoned to perfection and so amazing!

Close up image of grilled tilapia in a foil
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Cooking the Tilapia in foil helps perfectly flaky, flavorful fish every time. This fish recipe has been our go-to this summer. It is light and healthy and every one loves this easy seafood recipe. I like to pair this Grilled Tilapia with some summer vegetables and rice to complete the meal.

It is quick and easy dinner idea that saves me time and money. The seasoning is a staple ingredient and the process to make these Grilled Tilapia is less than 10 minutes.

You may even like this Blackened Tilapia Recipe for a delicious variation.

How do you Grill Tilapia without it Falling apart?

The best way from keeping your tilapia from falling through the grill grates, is to cook the tilapia in foil. Cooking the Tilapia in foil also prevents the tilapia from sticking to the grates.

Cooking in foil is a great way to add in cherry tomatoes with your Tilapia. It also keeps the moisture locked in which results in flavorful fish. You still get the flavors of grilling your fish but keeping it in foil allows you to enjoy it even more.

Ingredients

Ingredients needed - tilapia, lemon pepper seasoning, olive oil, foil
  • Tilapia fillets
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Olive Oil
  • Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Step by Step Instructions

  • Step 1 – Prepare Foil – Tear the foil into 6 equal pieces for each tilapia filet.
  • Step 2 – Add Tilapia – Place a tilapia filet on each piece of foil.
  • Step 3 – Prepare Grill – Preheat the outdoor grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F).
  • Step 4 – Season Tilapia in Foil – Drizzle the olive oil over each filet and sprinkle each one with approximately ½ tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning. You can also use cooking spray.
Uncooked Tilapia in a foil with seasoning on top
  • Step 5 – Prepare the Foil – Fold up the sides and the top of the foil to make a foil pack.
Two Foil Packs
  • Step 6 – Grill Tilapia in Foil – Place directly on the grill for 8-10 minutes until the tilapia reaches an internal temperature for 145 degrees F.
  • Step 7 – Serve and Enjoy – Be careful when unwrapping the foil packets and then the tilapia is ready to enjoy. Season with salt and black pepper and serve.

Recipe Tips

  • Seasoning – Feel free to change the seasoning to what you prefer. We usually start with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder or cajun seasoning. This adds flavor to this delicious white fish recipe.
  • Cooking Tilapia – We love cooking the tilapia in foil but you can also cook in a grill pan or grill baskets.

How long to Grill Tilapia

In just 8 minutes, you will have the absolute best meal.  It is easy to tell when this Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia is done.

It really only takes a few minutes per side and dinner is ready. You will love having such a quick and easy recipe to cook.

Close up image of grilled tilapia in a foil

How to tell when Tilapia is done

Tilapia is white fish when it is raw but it is more of a translucent white. You know when Tilapia is cooked and ready to eat when the white becomes more of a solid white it flakes easily with a fork.

Close up image of grilled tilapia in a foil

What does Grilled Tilapia taste like?

If you are afraid of fish, then try Tilapia. I think you will be impressed with how “non fishy” it tastes.

Some of our family really does not care for fish and they like Tilapia. It has a great flavor and the lemon pepper really jazzes it up.

Serving Suggestions

Frequently Asked Questions

What Temperature do I Grill Tilapia?

Heat your grill to medium high heat so that the fish will sear. You want the internal temperature of the fish to be 145 degrees. We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure that the Tilapia is done.

Do I need to defrost Tilapia before Grilling?

We buy our Tilapia at Sam’s because it is individually packaged and it is very convenient. We take it out of the freezer, run water over it to loosen the package and place it right in our foil pack and straight to the grill.
There is no need to thaw! I just love this easy tilapia recipe. This is such a big help when we need dinner fast.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerate any leftover tilapia in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. 

More Easy Tilapia Recipes

If you make this Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.

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Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia Recipe

4.99 from 78 votes
This Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia recipe tastes amazing and is so easy to make! You can have dinner ready in just 10 minutes!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Seafood
Course Main Course
Calories 186

Ingredients

  • 6 Tilapia filets
  • 3 teaspoons Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

  • Tear the foil into 6 equal pieces for each tilapia filet. Place a tilapia filet on each piece of foil.
  • Preheat the grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F).
  • Drizzle the olive oil over each filet and sprinkle each one with approximately ½ tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
  • Place directly on the grill for 8-10 minutes until the tilapia reaches an internal temperature for 145 degrees F.
  • Be careful when unwrapping the foil packets and then the tilapia is ready to enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*Refrigerate any leftover tilapia in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.  
*Make sure that the tilapia filets are completely defrosted if using frozen tilapia filets.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 186kcal, Carbohydrates 1g, Protein 34g, Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 85mg, Sodium 89mg, Potassium 527mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 5IU, Calcium 21mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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  1. This was very good, and the whole family loved it. Followed the directions with the foil packets and baked in the oven. Moist and flavorful plus it was budget friendly. We’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you!

  2. Five Star. This is not only easy but delicious. I made a dill sauce to go with them. Extremely easy. Mayo, miracle whip and dill relish. Fantastic although you don’t need it.

  3. You wouldn’t believe if I tell you this will be my first tilapia cooking:) It Is very helpful to me!

    Thank you!

  4. Very nice recipe. Love this Grilled Tilapia Recipe. Thank you for share this step by step instructions.

  5. What if you want to do it in the oven. What temp & how long do you suggest to cook it? Thanks!