Description
Red Snapper Veracruz is a vibrant Mexican coastal dish featuring tender red snapper fillets simmered in a zesty tomato-based sauce with olives, capers, and fresh herbs. This healthy, flavorful recipe is simple to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, and pairs beautifully with rice, tortillas, or plantains.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 fresh red snapper fillets (about 6 oz each)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño or mild chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (or 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes)
- 1/3 cup green olives, sliced
- 2 tbsp capers, rinsed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 fresh lime
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Finely chop the onions, garlic, and jalapeño. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté the onions, garlic, and jalapeño until softened and fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and rinsed capers. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Season and Sear the Fish: Pat the red snapper fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in another skillet over medium-high heat. Place the fillets skin-side down and sear until the skin crisps and the fish is nearly cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Combine Fish and Sauce: Pour the simmered tomato sauce carefully over the seared fish fillets in the skillet. Cover and reduce heat to low. Allow the fish to finish cooking gently while absorbing the vibrant flavors of the sauce, about 5 minutes.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Lime: Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro and parsley over the dish. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top to brighten every bite and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Use the freshest red snapper available for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcook the fish; cook until just opaque to keep it tender and moist.
- Adjust the lime juice and tomatoes to balance acidity if the sauce tastes too sour.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent the delicate fish fillets from sticking or breaking apart.
- Stir the sauce gently after adding the fish to avoid breaking the fillets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg