Baked Red Snapper Fillet

Name: Baked Red Snapper Fillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lb red snapper fillet, skin-on and scaled; 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 clove garlic cloves, peeled; 2 tsp dried thyme leaves; 2 tsp fresh lemon juice; 0.5 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 4 slice lemon slices, about 1/4-inch thick

Mediterranean Red Snapper with Lemon-Thyme Crust

Scoring the skin allows this aromatic herb paste to penetrate deep into the fish, creating layers of flavor in every bite. The lemon slices underneath steam the fillet gently while infusing it with bright citrus notes.

AmericanDinnerQuick MealsHealthyBakingSeafoodFish

Prep10 min

Cook15 min

Total25 min

Servings4

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

2 lbred snapper fillet, skin-on and scaled
2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
2 clovegarlic cloves, peeled
2 tspdried thyme leaves
2 tspfresh lemon juice
½ tspkosher salt
½ tspfreshly ground black pepper
4 slicelemon slices, about 1/4-inch thick

Instructions

Crank your oven to 400°F. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts through the skin side of the snapper, slicing about halfway through the flesh at 2-inch intervals. These scores will let the herb mixture penetrate while keeping the fillet intact.
Pulse the olive oil, garlic, thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor until you have a chunky paste with finely chopped garlic pieces. Line your baking dish with foil and lay the lemon slices in a single layer across the bottom — they'll act as a natural steaming rack.
Massage the herb mixture thoroughly over both sides of the fillet, working it deep into those scores with your fingers. Nestle the seasoned fish skin-side down on top of the lemon slices, letting them cradle the fillet.
Slide into the oven for 12-15 minutes until the thickest part of the fish flakes easily when gently prodded with a fork but still looks slightly translucent in the center. The residual heat will finish the cooking without drying out the delicate flesh.
⏱ 15 min