Here’s a bold, flavorful Southern-style dish: Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce. This recipe pairs tender, flaky fish with a rich, zesty sauce that’s packed with Louisiana flair. It’s elegant enough for guests and easy enough for weeknights.
🐟🔥 Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce
🍽️ Servings: 4
⏱️ Total Time: ~30–35 minutes
🌶️ Flavor: Savory, spicy, creamy with classic Creole kick
Ingredients:
For the Snapper:
-
4 (6 oz) red snapper fillets, skin on or off
-
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
-
1 tsp Creole seasoning (see homemade below)
-
Salt & pepper, to taste
-
Lemon wedges, for serving
For the Creamy Creole Sauce:
-
1 tbsp butter
-
½ cup onion, finely chopped
-
½ cup bell pepper, chopped (any color)
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
¼ cup chicken broth (or seafood stock)
-
2 tbsp tomato paste
-
1 tsp Creole seasoning
-
Dash of hot sauce (like Crystal or Tabasco), to taste
-
Optional: ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (for extra richness)
-
Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Season the Snapper
-
Pat fish dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning.
2. Sear the Fish
-
In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium-high heat.
-
Cook snapper skin-side down (if applicable) for 3–4 minutes until crisp.
-
Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
-
Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
3. Make the Creole Sauce
-
In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add onions and bell peppers. Cook for 4–5 minutes until soft.
-
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
-
Stir in tomato paste, broth, cream, and Creole seasoning. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
-
Add hot sauce to taste. Stir in Parmesan (optional) for a richer sauce.
4. Assemble & Serve
-
Spoon creamy Creole sauce over each snapper fillet.
-
Garnish with green onions or parsley.
-
Serve with rice, grits, or roasted vegetables.
Homemade Creole Seasoning (makes ~2 tbsp):
-
1 tsp paprika
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
½ tsp dried oregano
-
½ tsp dried thyme
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
-
¼ tsp black pepper
-
¼ tsp salt
Mix and store in an airtight container.
Would you like a crawfish cream sauce, low-carb side suggestions, or a grilled snapper version?