Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh Caribbean snapper marinated in bright citrus and grilled, served with a vibrant Guatemalan mojo sauce featuring garlic, cilantro, and peppers. This Latin American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs Caribbean snapper fillets, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 seeded and chopped small jalapeño pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp honey to create the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 Caribbean snapper fillets in a shallow dish and pour the mojo marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil.
  4. Step 4: Remove the snapper fillets from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Serve the grilled snapper drizzled with any remaining mojo sauce from the marinade and garnish with additional fresh cilantro if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Citrus-Marinated Grilled Caribbean Snapper with Guatemalan Mojo Sauce?

Latin American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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