How to Make the Perfect Garlic Butter Red Snapper
American · Easy · 13 min · 2 servings
This Garlic Butter Red Snapper is a restaurant-worthy fish dish ready in under 15 minutes. Quick to pan-sear with a golden crust, it is bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce for maximum flavor.
Why this recipe works
This Garlic Butter Red Snapper recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 13 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 340 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 fillets red snapper fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Fish
Pat snapper fillets completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat avocado oil in a skillet over high heat until shimmering, then place fillets skin-side down and press gently for 30 seconds. Cook 4 minutes without moving.
Step 2: Flip and Cook Through
Carefully flip the fillets and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes on the flesh side until opaque and cooked through. Transfer fish to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
Step 3: Make Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
Step 4: Plate and Serve
Spoon the garlic butter sauce generously over the snapper fillets and serve immediately with your choice of vegetables or rice.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- red snapper → sea bass, tilapia, or halibut fillets
- fresh thyme → dried thyme or fresh parsley
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not drying the fish properly before searing, which prevents a golden crust from forming
- Moving the fish too early before it naturally releases from the pan
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 340 calories, 38g protein, 2g carbs, 20g fat, 0g fiber.
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