Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy

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

Red snapper fillets pan-seared to a golden crust and served with a spicy, flavorful Cajun tomato gravy. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs fillets (5 oz each) red snapper fillets, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 330 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 330 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 red snapper fillets dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp paprika.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden; carefully flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fish is opaque. Remove and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1/2 diced green bell pepper, and 1 diced celery stalk for 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves.
  5. Step 5: Simmer the tomato gravy for 8-10 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the Cajun tomato gravy over the pan-seared red snapper and garnish with 2 tbsp sliced green onions before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy?

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 Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy 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 Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Cajun-Spiced Tomato Gravy?

Southern 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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