Grilled Whole Red Snapper is incredibly tasty! Ready in 25 minutes and made completely in the oven, this is a no-fuss whole fish recipe that anyone can make.

It is incredibly flavorful with the combination of herbs used. This is an easy dinner recipe for the whole family!

No grill, no problem! you don’t need grill baskets or other fancy equipment to make this recipe. I am going to show you how to cook a whole fish completely in the oven. I used a red whole snapper here, but the principles in this post will apply to any other fish.

The combination of fresh herbs is to die for! The marinade that goes on this delicate fish takes the taste to a whole ‘nother level. Even my non-fish-loving daughter was in love with this Grilled Whole Red Snapper recipe!

Grilled Whole Fish Ingredients

When grilling fish for this recipe, you need the following ingredients:

1. Whole Fish. Red snapper has a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, so it is very healthy! You can buy your own fish from a local fish market. Mine was about 1 1/2 pounds, but you can use a smaller fish if you want to.

2. Garlic cloves. Lots of minced garlic gives the fish a great flavor.

3. Herbs. A combination of fresh thyme, parsley, and basil makes fish taste insanely good!

4. Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a great way to add freshness to fish and seafood in general.

5. Oil. You will need a bit of olive oil or canola oil. However, vegetable oil, or any neutral-tasting oil would work.

5. White Pepper. White Pepper adds a more intense depth of flavor that works well with fish. But use black pepper if that’s what you have.

6. Chicken Bouillon Powder. My favorite thing about this ingredient is that it brings out more flavor in the fish that salt alone doesn’t bring out. But you can also exclusively use salt to season fish.

7. Salt. You can use table salt or kosher salt, depending on your preferences.

How To Grill Whole Red Snapper In The Oven

1. Scale, gut fish, trim the fins, and thoroughly rinse the fresh fish with cold water. Thoroughly dry the fish, patting it with a paper towel. Make 4-5 half-inch deep diagonal slits on the outside of the fish (both sides) with a very sharp knife.

2. Mince garlic, basil, and parsley. Strip leaves off thyme stems.

3. Place herbs and garlic in a small bowl. Add in lemon juice, oil, salt, white pepper, and chicken bouillon powder. Mix to form a marinade.

4. Rub the marinade all over the fish. Spread it evenly on the first side, then flip it and rub it on the second side. Make sure to stick the marinade into every cut inside of the fish.

4. Place fish on a lined baking sheet. To oven grill fish: Bake it at 400 degrees F (Fahrenheit) for 20 mins. Then broil for 5 minutes to achieve a crispy skin.

5. Once done, transfer fish to a serving platter and add preferred garnishes.

Depending on the size of the fish, you might need a large platter. For garnish, you can use orange slices, lime slices, or lemon slices. Even large lemon wedges look beautiful with it!

Where To Buy Whole Red Snapper

Here in the United States, I get whole red snapper fish from Asian stores, even though red snapper is native to the gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean sea. Most Asian stores have seafood sections where you can buy whole fish.

If you search for “Asian store near me” or “seafood market near me” you’ll likely find stores selling whole fish near you.

Top Tip: Have the fish monger scale and gut the fish for you to make things easier at home. This is especially helpful if it is your first time working with a whole fish!

Also, check out this Lemon Butter Salmon and Pan Seared Tilapia.

Substitutions and Variations

• Lemon Juice: If you want, you can use fresh lime juice instead of lemon when making this recipe. It provides a zesty, citrusy flavor that benefits the flavor of the fish.
• Fish: You can use any white fish you want! For example, use cod, sea bass, or another type you prefer. Just make sure it is fresh with a firm texture. It shouldn’t have odor, discoloration, or feel slimy.
• Onions and Peppers: This type of fish tastes delicious with veggies. Saute them over medium-high heat until tender, then serve the red snapper on a bed of peppers and red onions for a delectable taste and a beautiful presentation.
• Capers: Capers are another excellent pairing for this fish. Consider spooning on some capers when serving. You can even make a caper sauce if you wish!

Expert Tips For the Perfect Oven Grilled Red Snapper

1. After rubbing herbs and spices on the fish, let it marinate for 30 minutes. This is the best way for the flavors to penetrate the fish.

2. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper instead of aluminum foil. Sometimes, fish will still stick to the foil even when you grease the foil. With parchment paper, that problem is solved. The fish easily slides out of the pan.

3. Bake the fish first to cook it, then broil it to achieve color and crispiness on the outside. This makes it taste like it was cooked on a gas grill or charcoal grill outside. The broiler in an oven cooks food with high direct heat like the outside grill. But while hot grill grates cooks from underneath, the broiler cooks from the top.

4. If you use a small fish, the cooking time will be shorter, so keep an eye on it. No matter what, you can check the internal temperature by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the fish.

5. If you happen to have leftovers, make sure to store the fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Serve With Grilled Whole Red Snapper

Enjoy this fish with healthy, whole foods! You could serve this grilled fish with a variety of side dishes, including:

• Mango Salsa
• Sauteed Peppers
• Sweet Fried Plantains
• Baked Plantains
• Grilled Plantains
• African Pepper Sauce

More Tasty Fish Recipes

Looking to try more fish recipes? Try one of these recipes next time you want to embark on great cooking adventures:

• Pan Grilled Salmon
• Salmon and Broccoli Sheet Pan
• Lemon Butter Tilapia
• OVEN GRILLED TILAPIA
• Cajun Salmon

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