Juicy Baked Whole Tilapia Recipe
This baked whole tilapia recipe cooks lemon, garlic, and bay leaf–seasoned fish over sherry-roasted potatoes and onions. The two-stage method gives the potatoes a head start before the fish bakes until opaque and flaky.
Ingredients
For the Whole Tilapia
- 1 whole tilapia scaled, gutted, and cleaned
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 lemon slices
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
For the Potatoes and Onion
- 250 g potatoes diced
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 80 ml dry sherry
For Baking the Tilapia
- 40 ml dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C.
- Make 3–4 deep diagonal cuts on both sides of the cleaned whole tilapia. Rub the fish with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, working the seasoning into the cuts.
- Place 4 lemon slices, 4 cloves garlic , and 2 bay leaves inside the fish cavity. Refrigerate the stuffed tilapia while the potatoes begin baking.
- Add 250 g potatoes, diced, and 1 onion, sliced, to a large, shallow baking dish. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 80 ml dry sherry, then toss until evenly coated.
- Bake the potatoes and onion for 40 minutes.
- Place the seasoned tilapia over the potatoes and onion. Pour 40 ml dry sherry and 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over the fish.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. The fish is ready when its flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork, while the potatoes should be golden and tender.
- Serve the baked whole tilapia immediately with the sherry-roasted potatoes and onion.
Notes
Use Doneness Cues: Whole tilapia vary in size, so I check that the flesh is opaque and flakes easily instead of relying only on the 30-minute cooking time.
Give the Potatoes a Head Start: I bake the potatoes and onion first so they can soften and turn golden without requiring the fish to remain in the oven longer.
Choose a Shallow Dish: A large, shallow baking dish gives the potatoes more room and helps them roast instead of becoming crowded and steaming.
Watch the Sherry Mixture: If the liquid evaporates before the potatoes are tender, I add a small splash of warm water or broth to keep them moist.
Nutrition
Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 2389mg | Potassium: 1240mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 145mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 3mg
