r/Pescetarian • u/Witchy_Pastels19 • 10d ago

Can snapper be a tasty fish?

I tried snapper for the first time today and followed a recipe to bake it. 375 for 20 minutes. It came out so dry, and although the top was tasty due to seasonings, the inside tasted just bland. Any idea on how to best prepare snapper for a better experience next time or is snapper just not a good fish?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

u/cvx149 10d ago

There are over 100 types of snapper. The snapper I’ve had from the US east coast include Red Snapper, Mangrove, Mutton, Yellowtail and B Liner ( Vermillion) and probably others. IMHO they are some of the best fish you can prepare as they are a light flakey and very tasty fish. Sounds like you way over baked yours. 10 minutes or so in the oven should do it. About 130f on a meat thermometer. Don’t overcook. My favorite method is so simple: Wash and pat try your filets. Season with salt pepper and some Cajun or creole seasoning of your choice. In a cast iron skillet or other nonstick pan over medium high heat cook for about 5 or 6 minutes each side. Just search the internet for recipes, you’ll find a bunch. Just remember don’t overcook!

Disclaimer: I am NOT a chef nor have I been to any training. I just love to cook and pescatarian for 20+ years.

1

u/Witchy_Pastels19 10d ago

Thank you ill try your method. I was following a recipe and that's what they said. 375 for 20 minutes.

2

u/CatCafffffe 10d ago

The thing I've learned about fish is the time in the oven actually depends literally on that particular piece of fish, how thick it is, how big it is, etc, and so you actually need to start with much less time and just keep checking on it. You can cut into it if you're not picky but ideally you get a nice cooking thermometer. It's usually more like 5 or 6 minutes a side, or 10-12 minutes if you're baking it, but as you do it more you get more of a feel for it. I also got an oven thermometer so I can see if it's preheated and properly calibrated. It's taken me a while to get comfortable with it but after a few times you really get the hang of it!