Red snapper is a versatile fish that can be enjoyed grilled, pan-fried, steamed, baked, or deep-fried. Our favorite way to cook snapper is to bake it with lemon, garlic, and butter. It cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
What is Red Snapper?
Red snapper is a popular white fish that can be found in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western Atlantic Ocean. It has a firm texture and a mild and delicate flavor.
What Does Red Snapper Taste Like?
The flavor of red snapper can be described as slightly sweet, nutty, and mild. Its light flavor pairs well with garlic, butter, and other ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Red Snapper
- butter
- garlic
- lemon
- salt and pepper
- optional minced parsley and capers
How to Cooke Red Snapper
- Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it cook for 1 minute. Zest the lemon and add it to the butter.
- Thinly slice the zested lemon and place the slices in the bottom of a baking dish. Save any extra slices for the top of the fish.
- Pat the red snapper dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the fillets on top of the lemon slices. Spoon or brush the garlic butter over the fish.
- Bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve garnished with parsley and enjoy!
How Long to Bake Red Snapper
Cooking times will vary based on the thickness and size of the fish. It cooks quickly, and takes about 10-15 minutes in a 425°F oven.
How to Tell When the Snapper Fish is Done Cooking
Cooked fish will easily flake with a fork and the color is completely opaque when fully cooked. The most reliable way is to use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, a reading of 140°F is the target temperature for fish.
Does Snapper Need to Be Flipped Halfway Through?
No, turning the snapper while it cooks isn’t necessary and can cause the fillet to fall apart.
What Can I Serve with Snapper?
Snapper is white fish which pairs well with a variety of sides. Some of our favorites include:
Easy Baked Red Snapper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Red Snapper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional minced parsley and capers for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and let it cook for 1 minute. Zest the lemon and add it to the butter.
- Thinly slice the zested lemon and place the slices in the bottom of a baking dish. Save any extra slices for the top of the fish.
- Pat the red snapper dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the fillets on top of the lemon slices. Spoon or brush the garlic butter over the fish.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve garnished with parsley and enjoy!
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