Fairly easy to make CARIBBEAN GRILLED WHOLE RED SNAPPER with a great blend of spice from ground allspice, garlic, ginger, paprika, basil, and thyme. Moist, tender, and oozing with great flavors!
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Just two more days and we’re done with July. And can you believe that it’s almost -BER months (errrr…holiday season)?
But before I think about the holidays, let me enjoy to the fullest this grilling season. Grilling can be quite daunting especially when talking about fish with its delicate flesh. Well, fear not!
It’s quite doable and before you know it you are going to be grilling away like a pro. Yes yes yes! You might be asking why grill a whole fish? Cooking a whole fish with the bones, skin and all keeps the fish moist and seals in the flavor especially when you are dealing with red snapper. If you haven’t tried it this way, now is the best time to try this easy grilled recipe.
What is Red Snapper?
Red Snapper fish is one of the most popular among white fish. It can be found from all over the world with most of its harvests coming from the Gulf of Mexico and Indonesia. This kind of fish is known for its firm texture and sweet nutty flavor that complements well from chilies to fresh herbs. No wonder it’s well-loved! You can broil, pan-fry, steam, bake, deep-fry, and grill a red snapper. It also makes a great fish stew, too.
Grilling Red Snapper
Red snapper requires a little extra love to keep it from falling apart on the grill. An easy way to get around it is to use a grill basket or a fish basket as it helps in flipping the fish. I can’t tell you how many fishes I’ve ruined trying to flip without a basket. It is an essential tool, especially for a beginner.
If you want to purchase a grill fish basket they are available at department stores and even some supermarkets, especially this time of the year. Once you get the heat going, it’s a breeze.
Grill about 3-5 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the fish. If for some reason the flame flares up, you can just lift the basket and place it aside. So don’t step away. Do not overcook it, it’s notorious for being rubbery when overcooked.
How Do You Know When Red Snapper is Done?
When the fish is white and the juices run clear, then you are set. If unsure, check for doneness by making sure the meat closest to the bone is fully cooked by slashing it with a knife to check. You’ll get the hang of it over time.
Red Snapper Fish Marinade
I know there are numerous ways of making grill fish at home, with each having its own unique taste. Here are a few spices that you can start with: garlic, lemon, thyme, allspice, white pepper, and the rest is up to you. Salt, pepper, and lemon work great too! For a kick, you can also rub it with some hot chili or this homemade African Pepper Sauce HERE.
Be sure to oil the fish and basket before placing it on the grill. While you are at it, throw in some vegetables or plantain. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Grilled Whole Red Snapper?
I’d like to keep this fish dinner simple. So I’m pairing this grilled snapper with grilled plantains and veggies like bell peppers. Or you can try any of these, too.
- Grill Pineapple and Black Bean Salsa
- Kale Salad
- Coconut Rice
- Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
- Greek Salad
More Grilled Seafood Recipes
Love more scrumptious grilled seafood? I’ve got other recipes for you to explore.
How To Grill Red Snapper
Make three-four diagonal cuts in each side of the fish, all the way right through the bone. Season fish with salt, pepper, and squeeze some lemon over it. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients( white pepper, allspice, minced garlic, ginger, paprika, thyme, basil, parsley, chicken bouillon, and oil ) to make the marinade for fish.
Pour the marinade over the fish, and gently flip them back and forth until coated inside and out. Let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24hours. Preheat to high heat. When you are ready to grill, wipe down the grill basket with an oil towel and them immediately lay the fish down in the fish casket. Let them grill for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Reduce to medium-high, and then cover the grill if you have a gas grill.
If you are using a small bbq grill, leave the fish on the open grill or hot charcoal. Baste with the fish marinate. Let the fish cook for a total of 3-4 minutes on each side, you may have to add a minute on two depending on the thickness of your fish until cooked – when fish is white and the juices must run clear. Check for doneness by making sure the meat closest to the bone is fully cooked – slash with a knife to check. Serve with this pepper sauce and grill vegetables or plantains.
This recipe was first published in July 2015 and has been updated with an additional writeup and some notes.
Caribbean Grilled Whole Red Snapper
Ingredients
- 1- 2 whole red snapper , about 1- 1 1/2 pound each
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 fresh lemons
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 Tablespoon garlic cloves , minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger , minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons thyme , finely chopped
- ½ cup basil , or parsley coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon or more chicken bouillon , optional
- cooking oil , about ¼ cup or more to mix
- grilled plantains and/or vegetables , side dish
Instructions
- Make three–four diagonal cuts in each side of the fish, all the way right through the bone. Season fish with salt, pepper, and squeeze some lemon over it. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients (white pepper, allspice, minced garlic, ginger, paprika, thyme, basil or parsley, chicken bouillon, and oil ) to make the marinade for fish.
- Pour the marinade over the fish, and gently flip them back and forth until coated inside and out. Let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Grilling the Fish
- Preheat to high heat.
- When you are ready to grill, wipe down the grill basket with oil and then immediately lay the fish down in the fish casket. Let them grill for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Reduce to medium-high, and then cover the grill if you have a gas grill.
- If you are using a small bbq grill, leave the fish on the open grill or hot charcoal.
- Baste with the fish marinade.
- Let the fish cook for a total of 3-4 minutes on each side, you may have to add a minute or two depending on the thickness of your fish until cooked – when fish is white and the juices must run clear.
- Check for doneness by making sure the meat closest to the bone is fully cooked – slash with a knife to check.
- Serve with this Caribbean Pepper Sauce and grill vegetables or plantains, if desired.
Grilled Plantains
- Peel plantains.
- Slice in the middle then cut in halve. Season with salt and brush with the spice mix.
- Grill on each side for about 3 minutes until fully cook through – watch carefully because they burn easily.
Tips & Notes:
- For optimum flavors, use fresh herbs instead of the powdery ones.
- You can broil this marinated fish, too.
- To bake the fish, place the fish on an oiled baking sheet (generously oil to prevent sticking). Then bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes or more – until the fish just flakes. Remove, let it cool and transfer to a plate.
- If pressed for time, you can marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes. That would work.
- You can grill the fish directly over the coals or by an indirect method, however, for first-timers, I highly recommend grilling this fish using a fish basket as it is easy to flip around without it falling apart.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Jackie says
Hi Imma, I purchased 6 beautiful whole red snapper today for grilling on Saturday, two days from now. I planned to prepare them tomorrow and let them marinate overnight. It is now going to rain Saturday and our grillout will take place on Sunday. Would it be better to wait till Saturday to prepare and marinate the snapper or can they marinate for two days in the fridge? Thanks, Jackie
Imma says
Hi Jackie. It will be better to let it marinate for just a day to ensure the freshness of the fish. Happy cooking!
Dexter says
.good morning can you do this roast
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can . It totally works
Janet Lane says
hello! what would be the temperature and time to roast this in the oven?
Imma says
Hi Janet. Cook for 18-20 minutes at 450°F.
Ruthy says
I made the red snapper twice it was delicious both times. Followed the recipe step by step my family and guest enjoyed every bite.
ImmaculateBites says
So happy to hear it worked out well. Thanks so much for the feedback.
Joyce Schlosser says
I made this tonight and it was fabulous. My husband rarely comments on food I prepare. True to form tonight, he said nothing, but he finished his entire snapper and was licking his fingers when he was done. Thank you for sharing.
Imma says
I’m so happy! Thanks for the feedback.
Chris says
Very good! I oiled the grates sufficiently – no need for the fish basket. Thanks for the great marinade recipe!
Imma says
You are more than welcome. And if there’s a recipe you’d love to see, please let me know. Thanks:)
Jonas says
This is one of those “wow, that’s incredible” recipes. If I find some good red snappers in the store this is the recipe I use.
Imma says
Great to hear this from you. I am excited to see you like the recipe:) Stay tuned and have more amazing recipe!
Hank says
I have a whole yellow tail set for tomorrow. Your spice mix looks perfect. For the grill: Suggest all skip the basket, grilling the whole fish, I have great success using banana leaf/plantain leaf on the grill, the fish does not stick and you get the grill marks as well. No banana leafs? Parchment is my goto substitute during our winter months for grilling fish.
Imma says
Great to hear that, thank you for all the explanation about your style and preference. visit the blog regularly to have more amazing recipes:)
Brooke says
I made this recipe last night. The marinade was excellent and I ended up stuffing the fish with left over thyme, garlic, and lemon. The only issue was the fish basket. We ended up having to throw in the oven because part of this fish was falling apart but needed more time to cook. This was our first time cooking a whole fish, but it turned out great and everyone enjoyed. I did make the African sauce linked in the reciope as well. I enjoyed it, but too spicy for my guests.
Amina says
Hi Brooke,
Thank you for trying this recipe and you enjoy it. You can adjust spices according to your taste. Try some more recipes I am surer you would love them too.
Crystal says
I bought a fish basket just to try this scrumptious looking recipe!
I don’t have lemons but would limes work?
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Crystal! Yes, lime works, too 🙂 Enjoy!
Val says
Delicious not spicy at all tender per the instructions to grill approx 6 min total in a basket worked great. Very nice flavor just needed a little more salt and a touch more lemon. Will make again
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for sharing, Val! 🙂