Brown Butter Tilapia with Toasted Basil Butter Breadcrumbs.
It’s been way too long since we discussed brown butter.
In fact, I think it’s been almost a month and in Jessica Time, well that’s like… ages. Too long.
So in terms of discussing, I guess I’m just going to tell you that I made this tilapia and drizzled some brown butter on top. I still cooked it in coconut oil but with that little extra drizzle of flavor? ohmahgah. And then I made some of those garlic brown butter bread crumbs and added a tiny bit of dried basil and threw it on top and just… yes. Right now I’m all about just tossing breadcrumbs on things instead of encrusting them entirely. It’s just easier.
Or maybe I’m just lazier.
I can’t decide.
In other news, when is the world going to reward me with a new episode of Nashville? I can’t take this waiting nonsense. In other, other news, I finally got a curling wand – like a curling iron without the clamp? – and yeah, totally infatuated. Love it. I’m just about three years behind the trend, so that’s awesome. And in final other news, yesterday I watched the pope stuff while painting my nails. This felt so odd, yet I completely justified doing such an inappropriate non-work task during work hours since I was watching real life news and not reality TV trash. And – if we’re being honest, watching Josh Elliot. Such is life.
Okay that is all for today. Carry on.
Brown Butter Tilapia with Basil Butter Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 4 fresh tilapia filets
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons brown butter
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Add breadcrumbs to a small saucepan over medium heat and toast until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat and immediately stir in garlic, dried basil and 1 tablespoon of brown butter. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season tilapia with salt and pepper.
- Add coconut oil to the skillet and once melted, add in tilapia. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until slightly golden or opaque. Remove from heat. Right before serving, drizzle with remaining brown butter and breadcrumbs.
Did you make this recipe?
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P.S. as boring as this looks… it’s so good.
55 Comments on “Brown Butter Tilapia with Toasted Basil Butter Breadcrumbs.”
I just got done with a late night cooking session and I was….browning butter! Except I was making chocolate things, not fish :) Your basil breadcrumbs sound like they’d be incredible on this! Or on anything…mmm, so good!
Dang girl! You make tilapia look REAL good.
Ilove this fish…
Not Only Sugar
Curling wand? No clamp? If you’re way behind the trend, then I’m way, WAY behind! I need to investigate one of these magical things that you speak of!
You totally got me started with browned butter…..no I can not top using it with everything! This fish looks delicious!
I’m always trying to find ways to make fish taste good…looks like brown butter it is! Ditto about Nashville – why can’t they just play an episode a week?
Brown butter and those breadcrumbs make everything right.
It’s been a couple weeks now since a new Nashville came out! What’s going on? When will they be back?
I think you would love cooking with Ghee! It’s like an intensified version of butter. mmm
I don’t like fish, but you now have me thinking about soaking panko in brown butter and just eating it like that.
So glad you included your link to how you make brown butter, because I’ve got a question!
I’ve tried several times to create brown butter using light versions – think Smart Balance & Balade – and every time I’ve done so I’ve had less than awesome results. In your experience do you need to use the real thing in order for the whole brown butter scheme to work?
oh yes! you most definitely have to use the real thing. it has to be pure butter. the good thing is that a little goes a long way. i don’t consider using a tablespoon or 2 unhealthy if the rest of the meal is good for you!
great good to know – thanks for saving me more trail and error!
I’m so curious about switching to coconut oil, but I’m worried about the flavor. I can’t get any real answers as to whether the food tastes like coconut.
i personally don’t think it makes food taste like coconut at all. not one bit!
Great! That definitely eases my mind. I like coconut, but my husband isn’t a fan. Tilapia is a weekly regular for us, so I’m excited to introduce this recipe. Thanks!
mmm this looks good and the butter sounds amazing! I had maple bourbon butter last night and it was to die for!
I think with this recipe I could finally talk my boyfriend into eating fish!! :)
I totally was just reading this while I ate leftover tilapia for breakfast (I know…) and was kind of coveting yours instead!
ok, i’m officially ready to try coconut oil now:)
That fish looks so moist and delicious, and with those toasted breadcrumbs, even better!
I totally need this fish tonight! It sounds wonderful :)
I really like using coconut oil – this sounds delish!
Ohh! Looks good!
I have to admit, I do the reverse of what you did while watching the pope coverage. I have my trash tv on and am doing work stuff at the same time to justify whatever brain candy I am indulging in.
Breadcrumbs are like bacon and sprinkles – they make everything better! :)
I’ve been on such a tilapia kick lately – this sounds perfect! And I want a curling wand!!! (also way behind on pretty much ANY trend)
I think we should all get on board with the sprinkling of bread crumbs… dredging is toooo much work! These sound great :)
Who says that tilapia looks boring?? I think it looks amazing. Love the brown butter–I haven’t made any in far too long!
I was seriously hoping you would post a pie recipe for Pi(e) Day today, 3-14! Need me some pie. :)
No worries, this meal does not look boring at all. Tilapia is delicious and the brown butter sauce makes it look amazing! I can’t wait to try it for dinner one night.
You are the queen of tilapia recipes. Seriously.
I still have yet to try brown butter…
Some Snapshots Blog
Jess
Wow, that tilapia looks soooo good. I bet the browned butter is amazing!
I’ve always cooked tilapia in more Asian inspired dishes, but brown butter sound fabulous!
Thanks – always looking for new fish recipes during Lent.
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It is the simple things that are sometimes the most delicious :-)
Oh nashville! I find myself dreaaaaaming about it and am seriously restless until it comes back to us! Also, I LOVE this recipe. Brown butter with the tilapia its such a flavor punch. You’re awesome!
I’m a big fan of fish, especially after having the best salmon (while visiting the Caribbean, no less). Low in calories, high in flavor and healthy!
This brown butter recipe looks absolutely delicious.
Beautiful and delicious!
Tilapia is something my husband and I have been wanting to familiarize ourselves with. We generally go for other fish, but this one is generally inexpensive, so this looks like a great recipe to try!
Your tilapia looks so moist and delicious. I like that you’ve added basil to the breadcrumbs adding a nice dimension to this dish. I haven’t cooked fish in coconut oil, I”ll have to try that.
I have all of these ingredients in my house right now. Thanks for deciding what we’ll have for dinner tomorrow night!
Mmmm, yum. Anyone who knows food (and especially tilapia, my fave) does not think that looks boring. It looks painfully delicious. And by painful, I mean not in my mouth right this instant.
I am pretty sure that just sucking up brown butter with a straw would be tasty but pairing it with fish has got to be outstanding!
Made this for dinner tonight – OMG yummy! Even my picky kids ate it :) Thanks for another great recipe!
My goodness! So I have been searching (with no success until now) for a recipe that actually makes white fish taste good. And this is it!! I love the health benefits of fish, but typically just stick with salmon because it has flavor. But this is a white fish recipe with flavor!! I actually used swai instead of tilapia because it was on sale, but I think they’re similar types of fish, right? Thank you for this!!
i think i could use brown butter everyday it is so good..and with tilapia can’t wait to try!
Making this tonight with roasted sweet potato! I’ll be putting pictures up on my blog if anyone wants to see how it turned out! (:
Made this recipe tonight using flounder instead of tilapia because that was what was on sale at the grocery store. It was delicious. My husband declared it was one of the best things he’s eaten in a while. I doubled the recipe because I have hungry men in my house. I served it with jalapeno hush puppies, homemade cole slaw and crispy rice. (I took leftover rice, sauteed it in a little brown butter in an iron skillet, then put it under the broiler until it was very crisp.) Delicious!
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