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pan-seared red snapper on plates
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4.99 from 75 votes

Pan-Seared Red Snapper

This delicious pan-seared red snapper is made with fish seared in butter and oil, and then served with a lemon and caper pan sauce.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 306kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces red snapper (2 fillets) Or swap other varieties of snapper (such as yellow)
  • 1 tablespoon flour Use gluten-free AP flour if needed
  • pinch salt, pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter, divided
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • small handful fresh herbs (such as fresh rosemary, chives, or oregano)

Instructions

  • Pat snapper fillets dry.  Dust with flour, and shake off any excess.  Sprinkle them on both sides with salt and pepper.
    Prepare a heavy pan with the olive oil and 1 TB butter. Heat on medium-high until butter is melted but not browned, then turn the heat down to medium.
    Dust Snapper with Flour
  • Place the fillets in the pan and cook about 4 minutes. Don't touch the fillets until they're ready to flip.
    Use a thin metal spatula to test the fish.  If you can slide the spatula under the fish without the fish sticking to the pan, it's ready to flip. If the fillets won't release, give them another 30 seconds. They'll release when they've finished cooking.
    After flipping, divide the remaining 1 TB butter over both fillets.
    Place Fish in Hot Pan
  • Cook fish another 3-4 minutes until done. Fish will be golden on both the top and bottom and opaque all the way through when finished cooking.
    Transfer the fish to plates, leaving the excess butter in the pan. Cover fish to keep warm, or set fish in a 200ºF oven.
    Flip Snapper + Top with Butter
  • Reduce heat to medium.  Add the lemon juice and capers, and stir with a wooden spoon. Add half the herbs and stir again. 
    Serve fish hot with pan sauce and remaining herbs.
    Add Lemon Juice, Capers, + Herbs to Pan

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg