Baked Tilapia Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook tilapia in the oven at 350? ›

For fresh or thawed fillets and steaks, bake, uncovered, in a 450°F oven for 4 to 6 minutes per each ½-inch of thickness. For dressed tilapia, bake, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 6 to 9 minutes per 8 ounces.

No, you don't need to flip the tilapia when baking.

The internal temperature of fish should reach 145°F for food safety, according to USDA guidelines. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, check to see that your fish has turned opaque and that it's easily flaked with a fork.

Food Safety experts (including us at USDA) do not recommend washing raw meat and poultry before cooking. Many bacteria are quite loosely attached and when you rinse these foods the bacteria will be spread around your kitchen.

Baking or Roasting: If you're baking or roasting salmon in the oven, preheat the oven to 375-400°F (190-200°C). The typical cooking time is approximately 12-15 minutes for a 1-inch thick fillet. Thicker fillets may require a few extra minutes.

A general rule for baking or broiling fish is 10 minutes per inch of thickness at 400-450° F, turning the fish halfway through the cooking time.

Tilapia is high in protein, low in calories, and contains many vital nutrients. Some health benefits of tilapia may include protecting your heart and bones and preventing cancer. It can be a healthy addition to most people's diets when sourced well. Henry Ford Health.

However, one of the easiest and most popular ways to prepare this fish is to pop it in the oven. While baking tilapia is relatively straightforward, both overcooking and undercooking can lead to disappointing results.

Do you bake fish covered or uncovered? Breaded and coated fish usually is cooked without being covered, but fillets and whole fish are covered for tender results.

Tilapia is generally considered safe to eat when properly cooked, but like any seafood, consuming undercooked or raw tilapia can pose a risk of foodborne illnesses. Just like with other fish, tilapia can potentially carry parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may be harmful if not eliminated through proper cooking.

Can tilapia be pink in the middle? ›

Any harmful bacteria will be on the outside of the fish, and not in the middle. So, you can cook whole fish to preference or pink in the middle, as long as the outside is fully cooked.

Different types of fish can carry vibrio vulnificus. To avoid it, people should cook their food at 145F (62C) or "until its flesh is opaque," the CDC said.

Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

Moisture from packaging or from melted ice crystals can make the texture of your fish watery, and unless you remove this water, it can create steam when cooked. This steam can end up making your fish mushy and soft, instead of keeping it firm and juicy.

When roasting from frozen, cook for 20-25 minutes. When roasting fresh or thawed fish, cook 15 minutes. The fish will be done once it's completely opaque and flakes easily.

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.