Many people consider the red snapper to be somewhat of a hidden gem when it comes to seafood, primarily because of how easy it is to eat, but also how elegantly it pairs with other ingredients which help to elevate its flavor tremendously.
The reality is that while the red snapper is unfortunately often overshadowed by many of its seafood counterparts such as cod, salmon, and herring, the demand for it has started to rise immensely over the last decade, to the point where it’s becoming a lot rarer for fishermen to catch than it once was, and if you look up the red snapper on the internet, you’re sure to see a whole range of wonderful recipes that incorporate this delightful seafood.
If you’ve ever been tempted to try this fish for yourself but are wondering what it’s going to taste like once you bite in, we’ve got the answer for you right here.
How Does Red Snapper Taste?
Unlike many other types of fish like salmon and cod, red snapper doesn’t give off a very strong flavor or aroma and instead, is very mild and neutral in its taste.
With that being said, you will still notice the sweetness of this seafood as soon as you take that first bite, along with a very peculiar nutty flavor that is a lot more prominent in the red snapper than any other type of fish on the market.
Because the sweet and delicious flavor of red snapper never gets to the point of becoming overwhelming, it’s considered very easy to eat and digest, even for people who aren’t usually big fans of seafood and who may prefer their meatier dishes.
Is Red Snapper Flaky Or Meaty?
The texture of a certain type of fish is often either characterized as being dense and meaty, or a lot flakier, and the latter definitely describes the red snapper a lot more with it being very delicate and easy to pull apart.
This sets it apart from fish such as halibut and tilefish which are a lot denser and harder to cut into.
Because of how soft and flaky the red snapper is, it means you can enjoy this deliciously sweet seafood without having to use any heavy-duty sharp knives just to separate it into smaller pieces.
Health Benefits Of Red Snapper
Like a lot of fish, red snapper is extremely healthy and a great inclusion to any kind of diet, being incredibly low in sodium and fat while also being packed full of protein.
Red snapper has also been shown to support thyroid health thanks to its high selenium content.
However, keep in mind that red snapper is also full of mercury which can be harmful to a fetal brain and nervous system development, so you will want to avoid feeding it to children and kids, just the same as you would with tilefish, swordfish, and albacore tuna.
What To Serve With Red Snapper
The fairly mild taste of the red snapper does mean that you will need to pair it with other ingredients to use it as part of a satisfying meal, since if you eat it on its own, you’ll be missing out on the opportunity to enhance its delicious underlying flavors, and at the end of the day, you don’t want a dish which is going to seem a little flat and boring, especially if you’re expecting guests.
Here are a few of the most popular ingredients that work well with red snapper that you should definitely try out for yourself.
Succotash
Succotash is a vegetable dish that is primarily made of sweet corn and lima beans, and it’s known for making any dish it’s added to a whole lot more vibrant, healthy, and refreshing, and that includes pairing it with red snapper.
Feel free to add in any other veggies that you like the taste of, and if you really want to enhance the underlying sweetness of the snapper, you can’t go wrong throwing some green and red bell peppers into the mix.
Grilled Asparagus
Balance out the soft and delicate flaky texture of the red snapper with some crusty grilled asparagus.
While there are plenty of different types of grilled foods that will work just as well with red snapper, asparagus is particularly great not only because it adds a hint of bitterness to the fish, along with a bit of nuttiness, but it is also incredibly easy to prepare.
Simply place the asparagus on the grill for 6 to 10 minutes with the lid closed, wait until the spears are tender and crispy, and they will be ready to serve.
Mashed Cauliflower
Lighter than mashed potatoes but just as fluffy, mashed cauliflower is a great side ingredient if you want to cut back on your carb intake, however, if you did still want to add just a little more flavor, consider using browned butter and sage, or even bake it with a cheesy topping instead, either way, it’ll make for a welcome addition to a red snapper meal.
Rice Pilaf
It’s virtually impossible for anyone’s stomach not to start grumbling when they lay their eyes on a portion of fish resting over a bed of rice, and when the rice is infused with onion, garlic, celery, and thyme, it becomes something really special and downright irresistible.
The garlic is what really steals the show here, but don’t worry, the mixture of the other ingredients, along with the sweetness from the red snapper, ensures that it never becomes too overpowering.
Summary
Red snapper is a healthy and very tasty seafood option that you have definitely heard about at least once or twice, but if you’ve never tried it for yourself, you really need to, especially if you’re a fan of fish who is looking to switch things up and try something new.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
