Stuffed Whole Red Snapper

When it comes to the tastiest fish preparation, this is it. Whole Red Snapper with basil pesto stuffed with Creole tomatoes and served on a bed of onions and peppers layers flavor on top of flavor. Recently my wife Roxanne and my daughter Lo made this dish for me, and they said it was a snap to make.

Whole Red Snapper stuffed with flavor is a dramatic plate presentation. (Photo credit: George Graham)

Not only is cooking whole fish on the bone an easy preparation, but it also preserves the moisture and showcases the fish’s flavor. And this dish has a dramatic flair. If it’s true that most people “eat with their eyes”, then this colorful and awe-inspiring sight will draw oohs and ahhs from your hungry guests.

Fresh whole Gulf red snapper ready for baking. (Photo credit: George Graham)

Here in Louisiana, wild-caught Gulf red snapper is a sustainably managed commercial finfish that comes to market for a hungry audience. Bought fresh, or fresh-frozen, just after it is caught, you are getting a seafood product that is as good as it can be. The snapper’s sweet flesh is why it is one of the most popular dishes on restaurant menus and equally prized by home cooks. But sometimes, it is hard to find. If you’re lucky enough to have an offshore fisherman in your family, then you’re set, but if you’re like me, and live an hour or so inland from the coast, you need to find a reliable source.

For me, sourcing fresh fish through Louisiana Direct Seafood is a convenient way to connect directly with fishermen. Their website is a central starting point for daily listings by fishing boats along the Louisiana coast with real-time updates on their catch, and when and where they will be selling it. With a quick phone call to verify price and time, you can throw an ice chest in your car and make a quick drive to pick it up. It’s just that easy. And Louisiana Direct Seafood has divided its listings into four regional hubs along the coast, so the driving distance should be minimal if you live in South Louisiana. For those not so close or residing outside the state, the Louisiana Direct Seafood SHOP site for online seafood orders ensures that your seafood purchase is expertly packed and shipped anywhere in the U.S.

And that’s not all: For retail and restaurant buyers, there’s a Wholesale Seafood page on the Louisiana Direct Seafood website that lists processors and fishermen that sell to the wholesale market. It’s easy. With one click, buyers can connect with Louisiana seafood sources along the coast and find out about product availability, minimum quantities, and price.

Captain Lance Nacio owner of Anna Marie Seafood is listed on Louisiana Direct Seafood; Give him a call, and he can supply you with red snapper. And click on this photo to go directly to his website. (Photo credit: Internet archive)

Once you have your fish gutted and cleaned, take a sharp knife and cut several deep slits along the skin. The cuts are essential for distributing flavor to the flesh, cooking evenly, and checking for doneness by flaking the fish with a fork. My recipe keeps it simple: a basil pesto (store-bought is fine), fresh tomatoes, herbs, and lemons for stuffing, and a tray full of brightly colored peppers and onions as a bed to rest your fish on. Just a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning and a good drizzle of olive oil, and your Whole Red Snapper is ready to cook.

Cook your whole fish in the oven rather than an outdoor grill. Here’s the deal: cooking over an open flame necessitates careful attention to prevent flare-ups, and turning the fish can be difficult at best, disastrous at worst. You don’t want the fish to break apart once it is done, nor do you want the stuffing to spill out. So, the oven it is. Line a large tray with parchment paper and let the hot oven do the work as the heat envelopes the fish. And don’t cover the fish since we want to bake it, not steam it.

Just follow our directions in this quick video and let Roxanne and Lo show you how easy this preparation is.

I urge you to try Louisiana Direct Seafood and their free program to connect with a fishing family along the coast. You’ll make a new friend, learn where your seafood comes from, and open up a relationship that will keep you in stock with the freshest Louisiana seafood available. And I invite you to return to Acadiana Table to get all the great seafood recipes you need to be a rockstar chef in your kitchen.

This Boat-To-Table series of stories, recipes, and information about our seafood industry is brought to you in support of Louisiana Direct Seafood, a free program of Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU Ag Center.

Try this Whole Red Snapper recipe and discover how easy it is. (Photo credit: George Graham)

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