Wild red snapper fillets were on sale at the grocery store a few weeks ago, and I quickly snapped a couple up. Living in north Florida, we are fortunate to see seafood sales frequently. I didn’t realize until recently that the red snapper fishing rules recently passed, along with the dispersant impact of the Deepwater Gulf oil spill on fish, will probably mean red snapper being less widely available.

Wild red snapper gets seasoned.

Regardless of the fish you decide to grill, seasoning it is key, just like with a cut of meat. With snapper, because the fish has a nice taste, and isn’t as bland as some fish, like tilapia, sprinkling a little kosher salt and ground pepper on it, and then brushing on a little extra virgin olive oil when it’s on the grill is the ticket to a tasty entree.

Fish fillets that can fall apart more easily than say, a cut of tuna, are more easily grilled when put in a grill basket for fish. The time needed to cook a red snapper fillet varies depending on the thickness of it, but expect the cooking time to be in the range of 10-11 minutes on a gas grill.

The delicate taste of the grilled red snapper will appeal to both kids and adults….a winning combination!

Quick on the Gas Grill: Red Snapper

1. Preheat your gas grill to high with the lid down, about 15 minutes.
2. Brush fillets with olive oil, then season with kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste.
3. Place fillets carefully into fish basket and secure the handle.
4. Grill the fillets (with grill cover down), turning once halfway through the 10-11 minute cooking time.
5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and sprigs of parsley as garnish. Enjoy!

What is your favorite fish to grill?

Photos by Kelly Estes