Blackened Florida Snapper with Spicy Mango Salsa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A pan-seared snapper fillet coated in smoky spices paired with a fresh, tangy mango salsa reminiscent of Florida’s tropical flavors. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes blends (5 oz each) Florida snapper fillets, paprika, cayenne pepper into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (5 oz each) Florida snapper fillets
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup diced ripe mango
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 small seeded and minced jalapeño
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the blackening spice blend.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 Florida snapper fillets and rub each side evenly with the spice blend.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4. Step 4: Add the snapper fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the exterior is dark and crisp, and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, combine 1 cup diced ripe mango, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 minced jalapeño, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Stir gently to combine.
6. Step 6: Serve the blackened snapper topped with a generous spoonful of spicy mango salsa.