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!
You'll love this summer grilled fish recipe, it will be your new healthy bbq favorite! Quick and easy to make, grilled fish with the tropical zing of a Mango Salsa make it the perfect combo. Add it to your summer bbq recipes along with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp or Grilled Lobster!
Ingredients
- Red Snapper - can use fresh or frozen
- Olive Oil (optional)
- Seasoning Salt/Spices
- Ripe Mango
- Diced Tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Jalapeno
- juice of a Lime
- fresh chopped Cilantro
Equipment
- Bbq or Grill
- Tongs or Metal Flipper
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.
- Bring to Room Temp - remove Snapper from fridge 15 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
- Prepare Mango Salsa - chop mango ad vegetables, mix and set aside.
- Preheat Grill - set grill to medium high, and apply Cooking Spray on the grill.
- Season - pat dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper or Spice Mix to taste.
- Grill - 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 - top with mango salsa and enjoy.
Grilled Red Snapper Variations
- Tropical Salsa - swap out the Mango with Pineapple or Papaya (PawPaw) for a different flavor (or add Peaches or Nectarines)
- Spicy - add more Chili Peppers or Jalapeños for more heat
- Citrus - add Grapefruit chunks or squeeze Lemon Juice over salsa
- Whole Snapper - for dramatic presentation, grill a whole snapper then top with salsa
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Don't Overcook - Red Snapper is delicate, avoid to overcook to keep it delicate and flaky
- Preheat Grill - get it nice and hot before adding fish to achieve nice grill marks
- Serve Right Away - make sure table is set, salsa is ready so you can plate and immediately serve
- Grilled Fish Swap - substitute Snapper with Halibut, Cod, Grouper, Tilapia or your favorite white fish fillet
Can I Make This Without a Grill?
Yes. It's easy to pan fry with some oil, cooking Air Fryer or broil them in the oven.
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
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.
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 - (Air Fryer and Oven instructions)
- 7 Bean Salad (for large parties)
- Grilled Zucchini Strips
- Sweet Pepper Salad and Vinaigrette
- Roasted Herb Potato Wedges - (Air Fryer and Oven Instructions)
Best Snapper for Grilling
There are so many different varieties of snapper all over the world. The common Red Snapper found in many supermarkets in the USA. I caught a Spangled Emperor Snapper in Coral Bay as pictured. Any Snapper or white fish you buy or catch can be grilled on the bbq.
Seafood Recipes You'll Love!
- Shrimp Mango Salad
- Grilled Octopus with Chorizo
- Honey Dill Trout Fillet
- Crawfish Fettuccine (or use Shrimp)
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Bbq Grilled Lobster
- Boiled Crawfish (Yabbies) - Russian style
- 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 ripe 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
- Bring to Room Temp - remove Snapper from fridge 15 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
- Prepare Mango Salsa - chop mango ad vegetables, mix and set aside.
- Preheat Grill - set grill to medium high, and apply Cooking Spray on the grill.
- Season - pat dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper or Spice Mix to taste.
- Grill - 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 - top with mango salsa and enjoy.
Mango Salsa
- Prepare Salsa - dice Mango, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Bell Pepper, Jalapeño and Cilantro. Squeeze the juice of half a Lime over the Mango Salsa and mix together.
- Top Over Fish - spoon over the Grilled Snapper and serve immediately.
Video
©Peter's Food Adventures
Linda
What a delicious dish! Love the color and the flavors combo. Plus, with 10 minutes of prep time, this will be on our table more often
Sara
This grilled red snapper is beyond delicious! It’s the perfect summertime dinner for my family.
Addie
This grilled red snapper is so fresh and flavorful! It was delicious for our family dinner party.
Nora
Hubby tried it out already and it turned out perfectly! Thank you so much for the detailed instructions!
Jean
The mango salsa compliments the fish and makes a great meal. Best for dinners and potluck gartherings.