Grilled Tilapia Parmesan – just scrape

Grilled Tilapia Parmesan is easy and extremely flavorful! Parmesan cheese, dried herbs and spices, and lemon juice are mixed in a creamy topping before spreading on tilapia fillets. Grill until flaky and delicious! Served 4

Tilapia Parmesan is quick, easy, and delicious restaurant quality.

I originally found a version of this recipe through AllRecipes.com over 13 years ago. I’ve only changed a few things over time and it still remains a favorite. A quick spread of butter, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, homemade seasoning made from aged bay berries, and a few other dried herbs and spices is spread on tilapia fillets and grilled. The entire recipe takes less than 15 minutes and tastes incredible.

The key to the success of this recipe is using fresh tilapia fillets. Typically found at the fish counter in your local grocery store. Of course you can use frozen tilapia, but fresh tilapia can be larger than the frozen fillets and the texture of the (fresh) fish is incomparable. Knowing where your grocery store gets its seafood from is just as important.

This tilapia parmesan recipe is flavorful and not too heavy. I think you will love it.

To make Tilapia Parmesan you will need:

• butter (unsalted) – Adds delicious flavor.
• mayonnaise – Gives creaminess and taste.
• parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated without a release agent.
• old laurel spice – Store bought or homemade.
• dried basil – Imparts a strong minty flavor with hints of anise.
• garlic powder – Adds flavor that’s sweeter yet milder than fresh garlic.
• celery salt – Imparts a subtle celery-like flavor.
• black pepper – Adds some subtle bite and flavor.
• fresh lemon juice – Adds acid and thins out the parmesan topping.
• Tilapia fillets – Try to find fresh fillets as they tend to be larger than snap frozen.
• chopped parsley – Optional, for serving.

Set the oven rack to the highest position in your oven and preheat your grill on high.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan. Measure and add 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil and black pepper, then 1/8 teaspoon celery salt and onion powder.

touch it up

Before adding 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, stir until smooth. Put aside.

Lightly spray a foil-lined baking sheet with avocado oil or extra light olive oil. The film makes cleaning easier. Arrange the fish pretty side down and darker side up. Place the pan with tilapia under the grill for about 3 minutes.

After the 3 minutes, remove the pan. The fish should be slightly opaque.

Carefully turn the tilapia fillet over so its pretty side is now facing up. Divide and spoon the parmesan mixture on top and spread over the fillets.

Place the fish back under the grill for another 3 minutes or until the Parmesan mixture is golden brown.

Serve your grilled tilapia parmesan alongside roasted broccoli and garlic roasted almond basmati rice with a little more parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Enjoy! And if you try this Grilled Tilapia Parmesan Recipe, let me know! Take a picture and tag me chirp or instagram!