10+ Red Snapper Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Red snapper’s got this mild flavor and firm texture that works in all kinds of dishes. If you’re looking to shake up your dinner routine, it’s a solid fish to try.

You can prepare red snapper in simple and tasty ways that bring out its natural flavors.

Whether you’re into stovetop cooking, baking, or grilling, red snapper adapts easily. Here are some ways to enjoy this fish with easy recipes and basic ingredients.

Ingredients

• Red snapper fillets or whole fish
• Cooking oil (olive oil or butter)
• Salt and pepper
• Optional herbs and spices

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the red snapper with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook the fish for 4-5 minutes on each side until it flakes easily with a fork.
4. For baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the fish for 15-20 minutes.
5. Serve with your favorite sides or sauces.

1) Pan-Fried Blackened Red Snapper

You can whip up a pan-fried blackened red snapper with some spices and butter. Coat your fillets all over with Cajun-style seasoning.

Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the fillets for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the outside’s dark and the inside stays tender.

Serve it with your favorite sides for a fast weeknight meal that still feels a little special.

Ingredients

• 1 pound red snapper fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Coat fillets with Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook fillets 4-5 minutes per side, until flaky.
4. Serve immediately.

For more details, see this Pan-Fried Blackened Red Snapper recipe.

2) Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Lemon Caper Sauce

Start by seasoning the red snapper fillets with a little salt. Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

When the pan’s hot, add the fish skin-side down. Cook until the skin goes crispy and the fish flakes easily.

Make the lemon caper sauce in the same pan. Add lemon juice, capers, and a bit more butter.

Stir gently to combine. Pour the sauce over the fish right before serving.

Ingredients

• 4 red snapper fillets
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon capers

Cooking Instructions

1. Season fillets with salt.
2. Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook fish skin-side down for about 4 minutes or until crispy.
4. Flip fish and cook 2 more minutes until done.
5. Remove fish and add lemon juice, capers, and butter to the pan.
6. Stir sauce and pour over fish before serving.

3) Cajun Grilled Red Snapper

Cajun grilled red snapper is all about bold flavor and a bit of spice. Season the fillets with paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.

This gives the snapper a smoky, spicy kick that plays off the fish’s natural sweetness. Grilling keeps it juicy and adds a bit of char.

You can use an outdoor grill or a grill pan indoors. Squeeze some fresh lemon over the top for a bright finish.

Ingredients

• 4 red snapper fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or homemade blend)
• 1 medium lemon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high, about 375°F (190°C).
2. Brush the snapper with olive oil on both sides.
3. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning evenly over the fillets.
4. Grill the fish skin-side down for 4-5 minutes.
5. Flip and grill 3-4 more minutes until cooked through.
6. Top with a pat of butter and squeeze lemon over each fillet before serving.

For a detailed recipe, visit this Cajun Grilled Red Snapper guide.

4) Mediterranean Baked Red Snapper with Bell Peppers

This one’s super simple and full of fresh Mediterranean flavors. Bake the red snapper whole with colorful bell peppers and herbs.

The fish stays moist, and the peppers add a sweet, mild crunch. Stuff the fish with dill or any fresh herbs you like.

Roasting everything together gives the dish a bright, healthy taste. It takes about 30 to 35 minutes to cook.

You can serve it with rice, potatoes, or a light salad.

Ingredients

• 1 whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled
• 2 bell peppers, sliced (use different colors for variety)
• Fresh dill or other fresh herbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon slices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Clean the snapper and make a few slashes on each side.
3. Stuff the fish with dill and garlic.
4. Place the fish on a baking dish and surround it with sliced bell peppers.
5. Drizzle olive oil over everything and season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
7. Add lemon slices before serving if you like.

More details can be found in the Mediterranean Baked Red Snapper Recipe.

5) Snapper Piccata with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

Snapper Piccata is a quick, tasty dish you can pull together in about 20-30 minutes. Cook the red snapper fillets in a skillet until golden.

Then, make a lemon butter sauce with capers for a bright, tangy finish. The sauce comes together by melting butter, mixing in lemon juice and capers, and pouring it over the fish.

Serve it with rice or veggies for an easy meal.

Ingredients

• 4 red snapper fillets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons capers
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season fish with salt and pepper.
3. Cook fish 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Remove fish and set aside.
5. Add lemon juice, capers, and remaining butter to the pan.
6. Stir sauce until butter melts and thickens slightly.
7. Pour sauce over snapper and serve.

Check out more at 20-Minute Snapper Piccata.

6) 6-Minute Grilled or Pan-Fried Red Snapper

You can cook red snapper really fast by grilling or pan-frying it. Heat your grill or pan to medium-high.

Make sure the fish is cleaned and patted dry before cooking. Cook the snapper for about 3 minutes on each side.

The fish should be golden and flake easily with a fork when done. Don’t overcrowd the pan if you want a nice crust.

For extra flavor, season the snapper with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Squeeze some lemon over it after cooking for a fresh finish.

Ingredients

• 2 red snapper fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika or blackened seasoning (optional)
• 1 lemon, sliced or for squeezing

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat grill or pan to medium-high heat.
2. Pat snapper fillets dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
3. Add olive oil to the pan or brush on the grill.
4. Place fillets skin side down and cook for 3 minutes.
5. Flip carefully and cook another 3 minutes until fish flakes easily.
6. Serve with lemon slices or a squeeze of lemon juice.

For a quick pan-fried recipe, check this pan-fried blackened red snapper guide.

7) Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce

Red snapper and a rich, creamy Creole sauce make a killer combo. The sauce gets its kick from spices like paprika and cayenne.

It’s smooth, spicy, but not too hot. Spoon it over the pan-seared fish and you’ve got a colorful plate.

Serve this with rice or fresh veggies. It’s easy to cook and feels a little special.

Ingredients

• 4 red snapper fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Creole seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season fish with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook fish for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
4. Remove fish and keep warm.
5. In the same pan, melt butter, add Creole seasoning, and stir for 1 minute.
6. Pour in heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
7. Spoon sauce over fish and serve hot at 145°F (63°C) internal temperature.

Learn more about Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce.

8) Baked Red Snapper with Garlic and Herbs

This baked red snapper recipe is honestly one of the easiest ways to make fish taste amazing. Garlic, herbs, and a good bit of butter really let the snapper shine.

The fillets stay juicy and fresh with just a handful of ingredients. I mean, who doesn’t love low-effort dinners that taste like you tried?

It only takes about 20 minutes. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme add a nice aroma.

When you bake the fish with garlic and butter, you get a tasty sauce you can spoon right over the top. It’s kind of perfect for a quick weeknight meal or when you want something a little special.

Ingredients

• 2 red snapper fillets (6 to 8 ounces each)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or a mix)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the red snapper fillets in a baking dish.

3. Melt butter and mix in minced garlic and herbs.

4. Pour the butter mixture over the fish.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

7. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

If you want more details, check out this baked red snapper with garlic and herbs recipe.

9) Whole Roasted Red Snapper

Roasting a whole red snapper is surprisingly simple. You’ll need to clean and scale the fish first, then throw in some herbs and citrus for more flavor.

Set the snapper on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan. Drizzle it with olive oil.

Stuff the fish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill, and add a few lemon slices. Roast it at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes.

Just make sure the internal temp hits 131°F (55°C) so it’s cooked through. That’s it—no fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 whole red snapper (2 to 3 pounds), cleaned and scaled
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and sliced)
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Rub olive oil all over the snapper.

3. Season the inside and outside with salt and pepper.

4. Stuff the cavity with lemon slices and fresh herbs.

5. Place the snapper on a baking sheet.

6. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 131°F (55°C).

7. Remove from oven and let it rest before serving.

10) Whole Grilled Red Snapper

Grilling a whole red snapper is one of those things that sounds hard but really isn’t. Stuff it with herbs and lemon, and you’re halfway there.

Medium-low heat keeps the fish moist and flaky. Before grilling, season the fish with garlic, paprika, thyme, and allspice.

Set the fish right on the grill and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes per side. You can even grill a lemon half to squeeze over the fish when it’s done.

Fresh herbs brighten everything up. The skin crisps up, the inside stays tender, and honestly, it just looks impressive.

Ingredients

• 1 whole red snapper, cleaned
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 lemon, halved
• A few sprigs of fresh basil or parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Fire up your grill to medium-low, aiming for about 300°F (150°C).

2. Grab your fish and rub it all over with olive oil. Toss on some garlic, paprika, thyme, allspice, salt, and pepper—don’t be shy with the seasoning.

3. Stuff the fish’s cavity with lemon halves and a bunch of fresh herbs.

4. Lay the fish on the grill. Let it cook for 6 to 8 minutes on each side.

5. Throw the extra lemon halves on the grill too, just until they get a bit of char.

6. Take the fish off the grill and hit it with a squeeze of those grilled lemons right before serving.