Justin Wilson’s Baked Red Snapper with Lemon Butter Sauce

A tangy, buttery red snapper baked to perfection.

This baked red snapper recipe by Justin Wilson is a perfect blend of simple preparation and bold flavor. Tender fillets are baked until flaky, then topped with a rich lemon-butter sauce accented with hot sauce, Worcestershire, and a touch of cayenne. It’s quick enough for a weeknight meal, yet impressive enough for special occasions.

———

cajun-baked-snapper_candice bell_AdobeStock_312078734.jpg

Justin Wilson’s Baked Snapper

Justin Wilson’s Baked Red Snapper with Lemon-Butter Sauce

Bake up Justin Wilson’s famous Cajun-style red snapper with lemon-butter sauce. Tender fish fillets, zesty lemon, and just the right touch of spice — quick, easy, and gar-on-tee delicious.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large red snapper (about 6-10 lb.), broken down into filets
  • Cooking spray
  • 3 sticks of butter
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of two lemons
  • 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of Crystal hot sauce
  • Salt and ground cayenne pepper, to taste

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a baking dish with cooking spray and lay out the red snapper filets.
    22177645-g.jpg
  2. In a small saucepan, add the butter, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and cayenne pepper. Heat the mixture on medium-low, making sure it never boils. Stir occasionally to combine.
  3. Bake the fish, unseasoned, for 10-15 minutes until white and flaky. Checking on the fish every few minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.
  4. Once the fish is cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Carefully transfer each fish filet to a serving plate.
  5. Cover each piece of fish with a generous spoonful of lemon-butter sauce. Sprinkle with another pinch of salt and cayenne pepper, if desired.

———

Justin Wilson’s videos are brought to you by Lehman’s On the Square.

Related Stories
It’s been a decade since Hurricane Rita ripped through southwest Louisiana, and recovery has been a long, difficult process for many who have lived in the coastal area. Today, oyster farming offers a pearl of hope.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
Justin Wilson’s Seven Steaks Étouffée is a slow-simmered Cajun beef stew made with 7-bone chuck steak. It’s perfect served over rice (or Étouffée) for a rich, comforting meal.
This Justin Wilson recipe is classic comfort food with bold Louisiana flavor: Southern-style baked pork chops layered over spicy Cajun dressing fortified with wine, hot sauce, and a splash of steak sauce.
Justin Wilson’s unexpected cobbler recipe features juicy blueberries, a splash of brandy, and a tender crust with subtle nuttiness thanks to a bit of peanut butter melted into the batter.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Co-founders Jeremy and Heather Clark share how Vets to Cowboys helps U.S. veterans build new skills, find community in cattle ranching, and discover new opportunities in agriculture.
The American Coalition for Ethanol reacts as the Farm Bill heads to a full House vote — while ethanol expansion, including year-round E15, is left out — as well as the USDA’s pursuit of global markets for ethanol.
Global food prices rose slightly in the latest FAO Food Price Index as vegetable oils, cereals, and meat increased, offsetting declines in dairy and sugar.
University of Arkansas’ Allen Szalanski discusses a news study on rice stink bugs, what it could mean for farmers, and pest management strategies for the future.
Wed, 3/18/26 – 7:30 PM ET – Build better financial habits with tips from AARP
Valley Irrigation’s Darren Siekman explains the advantages of their new pivots for growers managing acreages of up to 60 acres.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.
The Presley Family built Branson’s Original Show on the Strip. “Presleys’ Country Jubilee” was a smash hit, and people from across the country lined up every night for a chance to hear the country music and comedy the Presley Family loved to perform.
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
Hosted by Agriculture Broadcaster Brian Baxter, RFD Network’s popular series “Classic Tractor Fever” is a must-see for any tractor enthusiast. It’s the place to find the history, stories, and passion of collectors who preserve these beautiful and amazing pieces of our agricultural past.