Pan-Seared Snapper with Citrus Mojo
Delicate snapper fillets seared to a golden crust and finished with a bright, zesty sauce of citrus and garlic, evoking the coastal flavors of Puerto Rico. This Puerto Rican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs snapper fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4, 6 ounces each snapper fillets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 snapper fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add snapper fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and flakes easily with a fork; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; simmer for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Return snapper fillets to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Cook for 1 minute to reheat.
- Step 5: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.








