This pan seared red snapper has a wonderfully crispy skin and is drizzled with a delicious lemon butter sauce. It is incredibly flavorful and juicy. Plus, you'll be ready to enjoy this gourmet meal in less than 15 minutes!
Serve with some tasty sauteed green beans and Instant Pot mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
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This pan seared red snapper recipe is inspired by Gordon Ramsay's version. I chose to use fillets with skin so that they can be delightfully crispy.
The lemon butter sauce is ready in less than a minute and adds a wonderful finishing touch. This recipe will become one of your new favorites!
🥘 Ingredients
This recipe calls for red snapper that still has the skin on. However, if you have skinless fillets, you can still use them.
- Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- Red Snapper - 12 ounces of red snapper fillets (2, 6-ounce fillets).
- Salt & Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of both salt & pepper, adjusted to suit your tastes.
- Lemon Juice - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for the sauce.
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter that has been cut into 1 tablespoon pats.
- Parsley (optional) - 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley for garnish, if desired.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Pan Seared Red Snapper
This recipe is incredibly easy and quick to make. The only thing you're going to need is a skillet for searing your fish.
You'll be able to serve 2 people with this recipe, so use more fillets for a larger crowd.
- Preheat skilled and prepare fish. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and place it over medium-high heat. Pat your 12 ounces of red snapper fillets dry with a paper towel and season them with ¼ teaspoon of both salt and pepper.
- Sear the red snapper. Place the fillets into the hot skillet with the skin side down (*see note). Sear for 5 minutes before carefully flipping the fish over and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes (*see note). Remove the cooked fish and place it on a warm plate.
- Make the lemon butter sauce. In the same skillet, add the 2 tablespoons of both lemon juice and butter. Whisk until the butter is fully melted.
- Serve. Drizzle the snapper with the lemon sauce and sprinkle with the chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- One large lemon yields approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- It is important that the oil in your pan is fully heated before adding your fish. The fillets should immediately sizzle when you place them into the pan (this helps to ensure a crispy skin!)
- You'll know your fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- To store: Place any leftovers into a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: Place your fillets onto a wire rack that has been set into a rimmed baking sheet and cover it with foil. Bake it in a 275°F (140°C) oven until heated thoroughly.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Red snapper is a delicious fish that has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of nuttiness. It is a lean fish with a firm texture. Plus, it really doesn't have a fishy flavor at all!
Red snapper has such tasty skin that I love to leave it on! It cooks up nice and crisp and has a slight resemblance to a potato chip. Of course, it is completely up to you, but I do recommend trying the skin!
It is! Like many fish, the red snapper is a great source of protein. It is rich in fatty Omega-3s, selenium, and magnesium!
🐟 Best Fish Recipes To Make
- Butter Poached Monkfish - Monkfish is a true delicacy that tastes incredibly similar to lobster!
- Grilled Jamaican Jerk Red Snapper - This red snapper recipe has a zesty Jamaican twist!
- Grilled Mahi Mahi - This incredibly popular fish has a firm texture that makes it perfect for the grill!
- Oven Fried Catfish - If you're looking for a southern-style dish, check out this fried catfish!
- Air Fryer Salmon - This delicious salmon is so easy to prepare since it is cooked in the air fryer!
- Salmon With Dill Sauce - This salmon dish is the perfect dinner for any special occasion!
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📖 Recipe Card
Pan Seared Red Snapper
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 12 oz red snapper fillets (2, 6-ounce filets)
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon butter (cut into 1 tablespoon pats)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (optional, chopped)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add the extra virgin olive oil and place it over medium-high heat. Pat your red snapper fillets dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.
- Place the fillets into the hot skillet with the skin side down (*see note). Sear for 5 minutes before carefully flipping the fish over and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes (*see note). Remove the cooked fish and place it on a warm plate.
- In the same skillet, add the lemon juice and butter. Whisk until the butter is fully melted.
- Drizzle the snapper with the lemon sauce and sprinkle with the chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- One large lemon yields approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- It is important that the oil in your pan is fully heated before adding your fish. The fillets should immediately sizzle when you place them into the pan (this helps to ensure a crispy skin!)
- You'll know your fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- To store: Place any leftovers into a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: Place your fillets onto a wire rack that has been set into a rimmed baking sheet and cover it with foil. Bake it in a 275°F (140°C) oven until heated thoroughly.
Sue B. says
This is now my go-to snapper recipe. You can't improve perfect!
Kathie Nap says
easy, quick, uncomplicated & delicious as well as healthy and relatively low calorie!
Served it over sauted spinach & cous cous
Georgie McAteer says
Delicious and easy!!! Best red snapper we ever ate
Jill says
I used whole snapper because that’s what we bought. The recipe was easy and the fish was great.
Laura says
Made this today. I added two tbsps white wine, but followed the recipe otherwise. It was delicious and my husband loved it!
Carl says
Exceptional recipe for making red snapper, super easy and tasty!
Shelley says
Husband loved it, said best fish I have made at home 😊