Easy Lemon Garlic Baked Snapper
Quick and easy, lemon garlic, baked, snapper recipe with bright flavors, fresh, parsley, and tender, flaky fillets. Perfect for healthy, weeknight dinners!
Equipment
- 1 large baking tray
- aluminum foil
- citrus juicer
- basting brush or fork
- zester/grater
Ingredients
- 2-4 snapper fillets I usually get 2 large fillets
- 2 lemons sliced into rounds
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Mixture:
- 4 tablespoons ghee/butter
- 6 cloves garlic grated(better release of flavor)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley or fresh parsley if you have it
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Preheat Oven to 375°F
- This temperature is perfect for cooking the fish evenly without drying it out.
Prepare the Baking Sheet
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lay slices of lemon across the bottom. These lemon slices will flavor the fish from underneath and keep them moist as they bake.
Prep the Fish
- Clean your snapper fillets, and rub a small amount of olive oil on the bottom of each fillet. This prevents them from sticking and adds a bit of richness.
Season the Fish
- Place the fish fillets on top of the lemon slices. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste (or Old Bay seasoning if you're feeling adventurous). I do 2 fillets of each.
Make the Lemon Garlic Butter
- In a small bowl, mix together the ghee/butter, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and a little salt to taste.
Spread the Mixture
- Evenly spread the butter mixture over the top of each fillet, ensuring every bit of the fish is coated in garlicky, buttery goodness.
Bake
- Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. The fish should flake easily with a fork when it's ready.
Serve
- Serve with rice and salad for a balaced meal or use in fish sandwiches or tacos!
Notes
Tips:
- Use Fresh Parsley: Fresh parsley will add an extra layer of flavor, but dried parsley works just as well in a pinch.
- Don’t Skip the Lemon Slices: Baking the fish on top of lemon slices infuses the fillets with a citrusy aroma and keeps them moist.