A simple spring weeknight dinner recipe for lemon pepper tilapia with a fresh arugula salad and homemade gluten-free garlic herb croutons! Ready in 20 minutes or less so you have time to sit down and enjoy!
I don't see an end to my obsession with fresh spring produce anytime soon! I just can't get enough! Every weekly shopping trip and I find the store packed to the ceiling with beautiful fruits and veggies galore! There's always that awkward transition from winter produce to spring and the store's offerings are rather lacking and lackluster in quality. But that is all over now and I am basking in it!
With all the lovely produce and fresh flavors, the major theme of springtime is SALAD. When it comes to salad, it's never just "salad". Do people even eat plain old lettuce salads anymore? I don't! To me, a salad is a perfect compilation of everything fresh, bright, and nutrient-packed. A little bit of everything and you can create a perfect lunch or dinner!
A perfect light and spring-inspired protein option to top your salad with? Beautiful flaky and lemony tilapia! Such a classic white fish that everyone knows and loves. One of those blank-slate proteins that you can make what ever flavor you want or pair it with whatever you desire. The classic lemon, pepper, and herb combo seems fitting then, right?
Fresh and easy! Just because it's spring doesn't mean we aren't all still super busy. We may have more energy, but after a long day at work all you want is easy and delicious nourishment. Keeping it healthy and fresh is key too. What makes this Tilapia with Lemon, Pepper, & Herbs so easy is that you cook it straight from the freezer in its own parchment packet! There are two perfectly portioned servings in each box so it a great meal to share with the hubby (or wife) or you could just cook one and save the over in the box!
Now that you have your fresh spring produce and your main protein component, how about some crunchy carbs! Look no further than some homemade croutons with lemon, garlic, and herbs! Just grab your favorite gluten-free bread (I used a rye version!) cut into cubes, toss with lemon, garlic, and herbs, throw it all on the pan next to the fish and everything is done and hot at the same time as you prepare your salad!
Dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes? I think so! Fresh and easy, that get's a triple yes! A light and fresh meal to keep you excited and nourished all spring long. You'll be glowing and refreshed just like the shining spring sun, right? ๐
Lemon Pepper Tilapia with Spring Arugula Salad & Garlic Herb Croutons
Lemon Pepper Tilapia + Spring Arugula Salad & Garlic Herb Croutons
A simple spring weeknight dinner recipe for lemon pepper tilapia with a fresh arugula salad and homemade gluten-free, dairy-free garlic herb croutons! Ready in 20 minutes or less so you have time to sit down and enjoy!
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 Tilapia Fillets
- 2 Tsp Fresh Lemon Zest
- 1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- ยฝ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Dried Dill
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
- Croutons:
- 2 Slices Gluten-Free "Rye" Style Bread (cubed)
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsely
- ยฝ Tsp Minced Garlic
- Salad:
- 1 Large Carrot
- 4 Cups Arugula
- ยฝ Cup Sliced Yellow Bell Pepper
- ยฝ Cup Chopped Hearts of Palm
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- Juice of ยฝ Lemon
- Lemon Slices (to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF.
- In a small bowl, combine the cubed bread, lemon juice, parsley, and garlic, mix.
- Lightly season the Tilapia fillets with the lemon zest, juice, pepper, and dried herbs before baking for about 15-18 minutes until fish is done.
- In the meantime, shave the carrot into long thin strands using a vegetable peeler, combine all veggies and lemon zest & juice in a large bowl, toss.
- Once everything is done, divide the salad and croutons onto two plates, then top each plate with a tilapia fillet and lemon slices if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
ย 
Beautiful, fresh, easy, and a meal that won't weigh you down in this bright and light season of spring! I love the bitter taste of arugula, crispy pepper, and carrot, plus that creamy bite of hearts of palm! Add on the garlicky croutons, lemon juice, and beautiful fish? That's a meal I'd eat weekly!
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite protein to add to a big salad?
+ Have you ever made your own croutons?
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Dee
Spring produce is the best, and I’m loving this light and healthy meal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Farrah
I need this teleported to my place ASAP. *-*
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'll work on that technology next ๐
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
Love how light and fresh this dinner is - perfect for spring! Tilapia is such a great go-to fish for any weeknight dinner and the arugula salad pairing is a great complement to it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! I feel like Tilapia is just so fresh for a nice light meal!
Thank you Kathryn!
lorraine Williamson
love the recipe needed some tilapia recipes have some in the freezer thanks for sharing have a great week
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! Enjoy!
Angela
Looks delicious! ๐
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
This sounds delicious! Love the salad and croutons with it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Sandy Sandmeyer
I'm not a fan of fish, but that's a lovely looking salad.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks.
Nikki
This looks so delicious, but I didn't expect anything less, coming from you. But what did surprise me is that this is by Bumblebee. So cool to know that we have another option when we purchase fish. We love tilapia especially with fresh vegetables. We do blackened tilapia tacos a lot with a great spicy slaw on top. Definitely going to look for the Bumblebee tilapia next time I'm in the store thanks for the tip and the recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? They do more than just canned!
Blackened fish is always so good! Blackened anything! Ah, the flavor!
Amberjane
I love fish can I come for dinner at your's Rebecca ?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it's so easy to make yourself!
Nicole Spasiano
great quick week night dinner!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, thanks!
Carly @ FitLiving Eats
Yummy!! I love to put fish on salads for some extra protein and flavor. This combo sounds delish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! A perfect meal! Thanks Carly!
ahappyhomeinholland@gmail.com
My kids have suddenly developed a love for croutons so I'm definitely going to have to try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well here you go! And these can be a fun project to make themselves!
Jess @hellotofit
I've never made homemade croutons!! This dish looks FAB!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's so easy!! Thanks Jess!
Ashleigh
The only thing better than fish or salad is fish on salad! Great post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, agreed!
Elizabeth Mayberry
Oh yum!!! I'm pinning this for later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Thank you!
Haim
Great recipe. Simple and healthy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best, right? ๐
Helen Fern
I love tilapia - great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Marla
HI Rebecca,
This plate of fish and greens looks really tasty and healthy. I always love when Spring is here and fresh greens are available. Pinned & tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! So much fresh food to go around!
Honest Mum
This looks amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
I adore talapia!! It's such a great fish that can be so versatile. This dish looks soooo yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so versatile! It goes well with just about anything!
Lacie Ring
I love salad and love fish…I’m not the most confident person when it comes to cooking fish though. It’s usually something I order when at a restaurant. This post may just give me the confidence I need!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!!! I'm so glad yo hear that! Bumble Bee has made it so easy and straight forward, I hope you give it a try!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
I can never get enough seafood! This look like a delicious and light spring dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here! Thank you Sonali!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
This looks wonderful. I find it so hard to find good fish recipes so I can't wait to try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You will love this simple dish!
Sabrina Modelle
OOh, Rebecca, this looks so incredible. I love faux rye- we buy the Canyon Bakehouse one.
Can't wait to try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Such a great bread, right?
Megan
We just had lemon garlic tilapia last night. Great minds think alike!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a simple dinner, right?
Megan @ MegUnprocessed.com
I love arugula! It's one of my favorite salads
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too! Sometimes I just need that nice bitter bite!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness
Looks tasty! With only 20 minutes to make, sounds easy enough. It's great having easy meals to make that are still healthy during the week nights.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Eating healthy is easy!
Jessica (The Failed Dieter)
Oh, this looks like a very nice healthy dinner! Definitely pinning this one to add to the meal plan.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! Enjoy, Jessica!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
We make a point of always having fish at least once a week, normally on a Friday. We do try for twice a week and at least once with oily fish like Salmon. But, as you mention above, we're often busy at work, so it's something simple that required. This is perfect, and delicious for that. Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I eat fish probably 3 or 4 times a week! One of my favorite dinner proteins! What I love about these is you can cook right from frozen so if I don't have fresh or forget to thaw out a piece, I can still have it!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
Love the flavors in this ๐ We get tilapia all the time, but never thought to have it with croutons ๐
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The croutons just put this meal over the top ๐
Savannah
We LOVE fish, and all seafood, in our house. I often try and incorporate it into our diet several times a week, because I know it can be so good for you. It’s been awhile since we’ve enjoyed some tilapia, and this recipe has definitely perked my interest-especially because it’s gluten-free!! I can’t wait to give this one a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Fish is the only seafood I eat, but I love it all! Tilapia, salmon, cod, you name it! Definitely a staple in my diet!
Olena @ candiesandcrunches
I love tilapia! Such a quick delicious and nutritional meal too! YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It seems to be a great "starter" fish for people new to eating seafood! Light and lovely!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I tried this tilapia last year and it was yummy and so easy! I'd love to try gf croutons, they look so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It's hard to find a good frozen fish, but these were lovely!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I'm a sucker for anything fish and Bumble Bee is always in my pantry in the form of tuna!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes!!! We can never have too much fish! Canned, frozen, fresh, all of it!
Liz
So much yumminess in every bite! Such a lovely meal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Liz!
Jill Silverman Hough
Although I'm usually pretty averse to the idea of packaged foods, I have to admit I'm attracted to the idea of being to quickly and easily make a nice seafood salad--or to just eat more seafood in general. Thanks for the thought!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's just fish and spices, nothing else!
Citra Kale @Citra's HOme Diary
seafood and fish is my 1st choice. I should try your version of tilapia here.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can never go wrong!
Manila Spoon
Oh I love Tilapia and this sounds very tasty and spring-perfect, indeed!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, thank you friend!
Ashley - Forking Up
I always forget about tilapia and opt for salmon. I need to get with the program, hah.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, all fish is good! I try to rotate all my favorites!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love incorporating fish into my family's weekly meal plan. This looks delicious! Love the crouton addition too ๐
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fish is an essential in my diet! Thanks Emily!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
Croutons are so fun and so easy. Making your own lets you play ๐ And your salads sound perfect to me: jam-packed with all sorts of texture and flavor!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A must being GF ๐
Yea! You get a little of everything in the texture department! Thanks Ellen!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
Healthy meal idea for busy weekninght dinner. I love tilapia and I make if often at my home. Pinned it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! One of my favorite fish!
Tracy | Baking Mischief
This is such a gorgeous spring dish! It looks fantastic, and those homemade croutons, yum!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Tracy! The homemade croutons are so fun ๐
Mark, Compass & Fork
Hooray for spring! This is a lovely recipe to celebrate the new season. Love your pictures.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Agreed! A perfect way to celebrate the season!
Gloria Duggan
What a great refreshing salad. Perfect for a nice weeknight dinner. Fast, easy and tasty!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thank you Gloria!
Jenn
Perfect for a lightened up spring dish! That salad is gorgeous! Love those pepper rings!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jenn! I used those mini bell peppers...I've been obsessed with them!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Yum. I haven't seen those yet. Sure does make a simple meal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right!? I love how it's just fish and simple spices! No weird ingredients!
Cliona
Delicious, and so pretty! Your post was eye catching because your photos are so pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! That's so sweet!
Mayra Murillo
This looks so delicious! I have been put on a primarily fish diet for health reasons and can't wait to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well this will make a lovely light meal to try!
Jayne
This looks super healthy and tasty Rebecca! and great pics too
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jayne!
MyCookingSecrets.com | Krystallia Giamouridou
This is a wonderful and handy recipe, especially for those who prefer buying ready-marinated products. I like the fact that you combined it with a fresh salad ๐
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, thank you!
Chelsey
Yum! Your pictures are beautiful too (I always find it hard to photograph fish...not too sure why!)...definitely trying this one out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I think chicken is the worst to photograph! We make do ๐ Thank you so much Chelsey!