This Grilled Red Snapper recipe is easy to make, topped with a tropical mango salsa! Seasoned bbq snapper fillets take only minutes to grill, or serve with homemade Tartar Sauce. It's the best way to cook red snapper. Healthier than bbq burgers and tastier!
This will be your favorite low fat, grilled fish recipe this summer! Add it to your summer bbq recipes along with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp or Grilled Lobster!
Best Snapper for Grilling
There are so many different varieties of snapper all over the world. In fact, it's on of the most popular white fish out there. The common Red Snapper found in many supermarkets in the USA usually comes from the Gulf of Mexico or Southern Atlantic. Any Snapper you buy or catch can be grilled on the bbq.
Recently I returned from deep sea fishing in North-Western Australia at Coral Bay. Yes, the name is exactly what you expect, snorkelling for corals right off the beach. We caught a Spangled Emperor Snapper, which is what I used for this recipe. Honestly, any white fish you have can be substituted for Snapper.
How to Season Red Snapper
Season grilled fish with your favorite spices. It's easy to use the store-bought pre-made spices, your pantry is probably full of them! However, it's easy to make your own spice blends as well.
Basic Homemade Spice Mix
- 2 teaspoons of sweet paprika (for color)
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Store-bought Seasonings
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Ina Paarman's Braai and Grill Spice
- Cajun Spice Mix
- Seafood Spice Mix
- Salt and Pepper
Ingredients You'll Need
Equipment
- A Bbq or Grill
- Tongs or Metal Flipper
Ingredients
- Red Snapper - can use fresh or frozen
- olive oil (optional)
- seasoning salt/spices
- ripe mango
- 1 cup tomatoes
- ¼ red onion
- ¼ small red bell pepper
- ½ jalapeno
- juice of a lime
- fresh chopped cilantro
How to Grill Red Snapper
It's easy to grill your red snapper directly on the bbq. There is no need for foil, or even added olive oil (although many do). I spray cooking spray on the grill to help prevent the fish from sticking while cooking.
- allow the snapper to rise to room temperature (about 15 minutes) this ensure even cooking
- make the mango salsa and set aside
- preheat the grill to medium high, and apply cooking spray on the grill
- season the snapper
- place the fish on the grill (skin side down) and cook for about 4 minutes. Flip then cook for another 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If using an internal thermometer, if should read 145°F/65°C in the thickest part of the fish fillet.
- serve immediately and top with mango salsa
Should You Remove Fish Skin Before Cooking?
Fish is often sold with the skin on because it's easier to grill without it falling apart. If the scales have been removed, it's even safe to eat the fish skin. Some people love crispy fish skin (especially salmon)!
However, you can grill fish with the skin removed as well, this ensures the seasoning is fully covering the fish. Just flip the grilled red snapper once, as it is delicate and can fall apart. When poaching fish, you should remove the fish skin as it falls apart.
Mango Salsa Topping
Although this recipe is delicious grilled on it's own, I love adding this hit of tropical flavor. It looks amazing when you serve, and makes you feel like you're on holidays again! Mango Salsa is easy to make, and can be used as a dip instead of regular salsa or in your fish taco! It only takes minutes to make. Dice all the ingredients, mix together and you are ready to serve!
What to Serve with Grilled Red Snapper?
You want to serve your favorite summer side dishes when grilling fish. It's as easy a simple side salad along with your favorite carb! Here are my favorites!
- Garlic Roasted Asparagus
- 7 Bean Salad (for large parties)
- Grilled Zucchini Strips
- Sweet Pepper Salad and Vinaigrette
- Roasted Herb Potato Wedges (Air Fryer and Oven Instructions)
Seafood Recipes You'll Love!
- Shrimp Mango Salad
- Grilled Octopus with Chorizo
- Honey Dill Trout Fillet
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Bbq Grilled Lobster
- Delicious Tartar Sauce
Equipment
- Bbq or Grill
- Tongs or Metal Flipper
Ingredients
- 4 Red Snapper Fillets (skinless or skin on) or any white fish
- Seasoning store-bought or homemade
- cooking spray
Mango Salsa
- 1 mango
- 1 cup tomatoes diced
- ¼ red onion diced
- ¼ red bell pepper diced
- ½ jalapeno de-seeded and diced
- fresh cilantro chopped
- juice of ½ a lime or lemon
Instructions
Grilling Red Snapper
- Pat the red snapper dry, and season with your favorite spices. Bring up to room temperature (around 15 minutes).
- Pre-heat the bbq on medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray to limit sticking on the grill. Can also pan fry the fish.
- Place the snapper on the grill (skin side down) and cook for about 4 minutes. Flip then cook for another 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. If using an internal thermometer, if should read 145°F/65°C in the thickest part of the fish fillet.
Mango Salsa
- Dice the mango, tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño and cilantro. Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the mango salsa and mix together.
- Spoon over the grilled snapper and serve immediately.
Video
©Peter's Food Adventures
