Incredible Baked Red Snapper Recipe

at a glance
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
4 — Votes 69 votes

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This simple baked red snapper dish is absolutely delicious, really quick + easy to whip up, and can be enjoyed with so many different sides!

a light gray plate with a filet of red snapper next to a bed of lettuce and lemon wedges

Baked Red Snapper

Red snapper is delicious, y’all! If you’ve never had it, it’s somewhere between firm and flaky and lean and fatty. Because it has such an excellent flavor on all its own, it requires just a really simple seasoning, and like most fish, the cooking process is really quick and easy! 

Great question! I typically find red snapper thawed at the fish counter of my local grocery store. I usually ask the person working the fish counter if the snapper is fresh and line-caught. I’ve also found that THIS website (they also have an app for easier access) is really helpful for finding the most sustainable fish available.

two raw filets of red snapper on parchment paper on a marble surface

Ingredients for Red Snapper Recipe

In addition to the red snapper itself, you’ll just need a few really simple ingredients (many of which you probably already have) to pull this yummy dish off. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Red Snapper – to start, you’ll need 1 pound of red snapper filets.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – before it goes into the oven, we’ll use 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to rub over the fish. 
  • Lemon Juice – to add some brightness to the fish, you’ll need 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice (the juice from about half of a lemon).
  • Garlic – 3 cloves of grated garlic go a long way in deepening the flavor here.
  • Sea Salt + Black Pepper – as mentioned above, this delicious fish requires really simple seasoning. You’ll need a ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt and a ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
  • Lemon – 1 lemon’s worth of wedges will bake alongside the snapper.

How to Make Oven Baked Red Snapper

Seafood tends to really intimidate people, but it’s actually very easy to cook! For this recipe, you’ll essentially just season the fish and throw it in the oven. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 
  2. Season the red snapper – place the snapper filets in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet, and rub on both sides with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. 
  3. Bake – place the lemon wedges in the baking dish around the snapper, then transfer to the oven to bake for 20 minutes, until the snapper easily flakes with a fork.
  4. Serve and enjoy – let cool slightly, then squeeze the baked lemons over the snapper, serve, and enjoy!
a small round glass baking dish with two filets of lightly seasoned red snapper next to 4 lemon wedges
a light gray plate with a filet of red snapper next to a bed of lettuce and lemon wedges

Tips for Best Baked Red Snapper Recipes

This recipe is really easy, and we have full confidence that you will knock it out of the park, but if you’re looking for a few tips to help guide you, you can find those below:

  • Cook your fish within 3 days of buying it.
  • Swap the lemon juice (1-for-1) for any vinegar (balsamic would be delicious) or another strong citrus (think: lime or grapefruit).
  • Instead of olive oil, use ghee or melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • This method also lends itself to a bunch of spices. Use as much as a teaspoon of your favorite spice blend over each filet for a blackened-style fish.

What to Serve Red Snapper With

Red snapper is really delicious next to any starchy side that you like. We also love serving this recipe up with a side of veggies. Our very favorite picks are:

Q How do I select my red snapper?
A

Great question! I typically find red snapper thawed at the fish counter of my local grocery store. I usually ask the person working the fish counter if the snapper is fresh and line-caught. I’ve also found that THIS website (they also have an app for easier access) is really helpful for finding the most sustainable fish available.

Q What temperature should red snapper be cooked to?
A

Red snapper is done when its internal temperature reaches 137°F. It’s actually safe to enjoy with an internal temperature of anything 125°F or higher, though, so if you prefer your fish a little bit less done, that’s totally fine too. Don’t worry too much about checking the temperature of your fish, though – if you’re following the directions and baking the fish at 375°F for 20 minutes, it’ll be good to go!

Q What temperature should fish be baked at?
A

We bake red snapper at 375°F, and this yields a slightly flaky, perfectly cooked end product.

Q Is Red Snapper good to eat?
A

We think so! Do note that if you are new to the world of seafood and are skeptical about slightly “fishier” tasting fish (or you just prefer all of the nutritional benefits of fish without the taste of it), you may want to lean on a fish like tilapia (this oven-baked tilapia is super delicious and easy) before you jump to red snapper. It’s absolutely delicious (and actually one of my very favorites), but it does have a slightly stronger flavor than something like tilapia does. 

Q Do you leave the skin on red snapper?
A

Yes! As long as it’s been descaled (this is something that the person at your fish counter will do, so don’t worry about that), the skin is safe to eat, and actually, really delicious! 

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Incredible Baked Red Snapper Recipe

By: Cassy Joy Garcia
4 — Votes 69 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Servings: 4 Servings
This baked red snapper is flavored with lemon and garlic and baked until perfectly flaky for a simple, yet delicious meal!

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound snapper filets
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 F. 
  • Place the snapper filets in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet, then rub on both sides with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. 
  • Place the lemons around the snapper, then transfer to the oven to bake for 20 minutes, until the snapper easily flakes with a fork.
  • Let cool slightly, then squeeze the baked lemons over the snapper and serve!

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Incredible Baked Red Snapper Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
128
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6.6
g
10
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.2
g
8
%
Cholesterol
 
41.9
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
304.9
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
1.1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
0.1
g
0
%
Protein
 
16.5
g
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Notes

  • You can change the flavors here by using butter or ghee in place of the olive oil, a different citrus in place of the lemons, or adding any spice blend you enjoy!
Meet the Author
Cassy Headshot

Cassy Joy Garcia

HOWDY! I’m Cassy Joy and I am just so happy you’re here. I’m the founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Nutrition Consultant here at Fed and Fit. What started as a food blog back in 2011 has evolved now into so much more.
Get to know Cassy

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    Recipe Rating




  1. PGF says

    PGF —  07/27/2021 At 15:22

    5 stars
    Spectacular recipe! Clean and tasteful. Added fresh thyme sprigs. Wonderful.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  07/27/2021 At 15:25

      We’re so glad! Thank you so much for sharing!

  2. Leroy Harper says

    Leroy Harper —  08/26/2021 At 18:36

    Making this evening, great recipe, very easy, this will only the first time I make this dish

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  08/27/2021 At 10:51

      I hope you enjoy it, Leroy!

  3. Dana Shrourou says

    Dana Shrourou —  11/03/2021 At 17:06

    5 stars
    10/10! My first time making red snapper and it was perfect. I added a bit of seafood seasoning as well for a little spice and it was delicious

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  11/04/2021 At 14:20

      Awesome! I’m so glad to hear that, Dana!

  4. Kenneth Hoff says

    Kenneth Hoff —  11/14/2021 At 16:55

    5 stars
    I’ve made snapper twice now and everyone loves it. I use more spices than normal though.
    First wash fish then pat dry then had rub with olive oil Garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, basil, chimes, black pepper, parsley flakes, cayenne pepper, thin squares of butter on top then topped with lemon wedges.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  11/15/2021 At 09:41

      Wahoo! So glad to hear that, Kenneth! Thank you for sharing.

    • Clay says

      Clay —  12/16/2021 At 15:19

      Well that sounds like a completely different recipe than the one published. Maybe you shouldn’t rate it if you didn’t make it.

  5. Jenny S says

    Jenny S —  04/05/2022 At 01:01

    Cool time was too long. I baked the fish for only 15 minutes, and it was still a little over cooked. Next time I’ll at the timer for 12 minutes and test for fineness. Otherwise simple and good.

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  04/05/2022 At 16:40

      Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! -Melissa

  6. Cynthia F says

    Cynthia F —  05/10/2022 At 01:40

    This was great! We had really thin filets so we only cooked for 10 minutes and it was perfect. My husband is a butter fanatic so I put a couple of thin slices of butter on his when I pulled them out of the oven but before I added the lemon. He loved it. I will definitely make this again.

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  05/10/2022 At 13:29

      We are so glad you enjoyed, Cynthia! A couple slices of butter on top sound divine. Thank you for taking the time to share with us!

  7. J says

    J —  05/17/2022 At 23:23

    Easy, light, DELISh!!!

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  05/20/2022 At 14:23

      We are so glad to hear you enjoyed! Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

  8. Arnold C Morgan says

    Arnold C Morgan —  06/08/2022 At 11:12

    Very flavorful but I will cook it for only 15 minutes next time. I start cooking fish with it at room temperature. That could have made a difference but the fish was overcooked… and, yes, my oven’s temperature runs true.

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  06/09/2022 At 15:29

      Glad you enjoyed the flavor, Arnold! Sorry that the fish overcooked! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. -Team F&F

  9. Mike says

    Mike —  07/24/2022 At 16:20

    5 stars
    I haven’t even made it yet and I already know it will be good, was just looking for something citrusy that lets the fish shine through, bought two big snappers yesterday and had them fileted, one filet went to Court-bouillon last night, the rest are doing this one tonight. Thanks for the recipe.

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  07/25/2022 At 15:10

      We hope you enjoyed, Mike! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. -Team F&F

  10. Jodie Reeder says

    Jodie Reeder —  08/23/2022 At 18:52

    5 stars
    Fantastic. I used the “1” portion for 2 filets frozen. It was Great!!

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  08/26/2022 At 09:47

      We are so glad to hear that, Jodie! Thank you for taking the time to share with us! -Team FF

  11. Valerie says

    Valerie —  11/18/2022 At 07:47

    This is the first time I have baked snapper fillets in the oven and it was perfect. I used butter in place of oil and some fresh thyme sprigs and chopped spring onion with the lemon. It was delicious and enjoyed the texture. I’ll be baking thick snapper fillets in future in preference to pan frying.

    • Melissa Guevara says

      Melissa Guevara —  11/18/2022 At 16:05

      We’re so glad this worked out so well for you, Valerie! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us. -Team FF

  12. Kubra says

    Kubra —  01/09/2023 At 04:15

    Hi i ve tried this recipe tonight for my daughter and it turned out great. I am not a fan of fish but even for me was quiet delicious.

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  01/09/2023 At 12:29

      We’re so glad to hear that, Kubra! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

  13. Beth says

    Beth —  03/08/2023 At 07:38

    5 stars
    Looking forward to trying lots of healthy recipes

    • Brandi Schilhab says

      Brandi Schilhab —  03/08/2023 At 10:06

      We can’t wait to hear what you think of the recipes you try, Beth!