Description
A flavorful baked red snapper recipe featuring a vibrant marinade of garlic, Cajun seasoning, herbs, and spices, served atop a bed of seasoned vegetables. This dish is baked to perfection with olive oil and butter, resulting in tender, flaky fish infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 2 snapper fillets
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic paste (or 3 cloves minced)
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme (or dried herbs—use 1–2 types)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- Carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers (or other vegetables of choice)
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the fish and vegetables evenly.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, garlic paste, lemon pepper, paprika, black pepper, fresh or dried herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme), chili flakes if using, olive oil, and salt. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Fish: Pat the snapper fillets dry with a paper towel. Rub the marinade over both sides of the fillets, reserving about 2 teaspoons of the mixture for the vegetables.
- Season Vegetables: Chop carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, or your preferred vegetables. Toss them with the reserved marinade to coat evenly, then spread them in a baking dish to form the bed for the fish.
- Assemble: Place the marinated snapper fillets on top of the seasoned vegetables in the baking dish. Dot each fillet with 1 tablespoon of butter and place lemon slices over them for extra flavor and moisture.
- Bake: Bake the dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder flavor.
- Firm white fish like snapper works best for this recipe due to its texture and flavor.
- Use fresh herbs if possible for a more vibrant taste, but dried herbs work well as substitutes.
- Ensure the fish is not overcooked to maintain its moist, flaky texture.
- Feel free to swap vegetables based on seasonality or preference.
- Butter adds richness; you can reduce or substitute with olive oil for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
