By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
296 cal · 20 min
Cajun Grilled Red Snapper
Recipe GLPRd12f2636d9e14f
Tender, flaky red snapper fillets seasoned with bold Cajun spices and grilled to perfection. This restaurant-quality fish dish comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients—lemon juice, butter, and aromatic Cajun seasoning create a flavorful crust while keeping the fish moist and delicate inside. Ideal for a light, protein-packed dinner.
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Ingredients
4 4 to 6-ounce fillets red snapper fillets (skin-on or skinless)
1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium medium lemon, halved
as needed olive oil for greasing grill grates
Directions
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Lightly oil the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Pat the red snapper fillets dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere and promotes better browning.
In a small bowl, combine the 1½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Brush both sides of each fillet lightly with olive oil, then generously season all sides with the Cajun spice blend.
Place the seasoned snapper fillets skin-side down on the hot grill grates. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes without moving them, until the flesh develops char marks and turns opaque about halfway up the fillet.
Carefully flip each fillet and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes on the second side. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest point.
Transfer the grilled snapper to a serving platter. Immediately top each hot fillet with a small pat of unsalted butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve right away while steaming hot.
Comments
Red snapper is reliably stocked at the seafood counter of Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, and Publix in Charlotte, making this accessible without a special trip; however, quality and price vary week to week, so budget $12 to $18 for four fillets depending on the market. The 20-minute stated time is honest if your grill is already hot and your seasoning is on hand, but account for 5 to 10 minutes of prep (scaling and cleaning the fish, mixing the seasoning) and grill-time uncertainty in real weather. This is a same-night dish—leftover snapper does not reheat gracefully—but it suits a weeknight dinner for four when you want something elegant without fuss, and the butter-lemon finish is classically Southern in a way that feels at home in North Carolina, especially in coastal-influenced households.
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