inspochef
Back to María “Mari” Santiago
15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish

15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish

Crispy-skinned red snapper cooked in under five minutes flat, topped with a warm, blistered cherry tomato and toasted pepita relish that hits all the right notes—crunchy, tangy, and deeply savory. It is light enough for hot August nights, fast enough for a chaos Tuesday, and tastes like you spent an hour over a comal.

María “Mari” Santiago
María “Mari” Santiago
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
4
easy
dinner
weeknight-brightseafoodskillet-searmexican-comfort

Save a copy to your collection for editing

Timeline

10 minutes
0m5m10m
Prep Fish
3m
Toast Pepitas
3m
Blister Tomatoes
3m
Sear Snapper
4m
Finish & Assemble
1m

Ingredients

  • 4 red snapper fillets(skin-on, about 6 oz each (or halibut, striped bass, or rockfish))
  • 2 tbsp olive oil(divided)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt(divided, plus more to taste)
  • 0.25 cup raw pepitas(pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes(left whole)
  • 1 jalapeño(thinly sliced into rings; remove seeds for mild heat)
  • 2 cloves garlic(thinly sliced)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice(from 1 juicy lime, plus extra wedges for serving)
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro(roughly chopped, leaves and tender stems)
  • 0.25 tsp ground cumin(for a subtle earthy background note)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat 4 red snapper fillets bone-dry with paper towels on both sides. Season evenly with 0.5 tsp kosher salt and 0.25 tsp ground cumin.

    3 min

    Tip: Dry fish skin is the absolute secret to high-payoff crispiness—don't skip the paper towel pat down!

  2. 2

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 0.25 cup raw pepitas and dry-toast, stirring constantly, until they begin to pop and smell nutty, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into a bowl.

    3 min

    Tip: Bodega Mode: If you bought pre-roasted salted pepitas, skip this step entirely!

  3. 3

    Increase skillet heat to medium-high and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 thinly sliced jalapeño, and 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Let blister undisturbed for 2 minutes, then gently stir until tomatoes begin to burst, about 1 minute more. Stir in 0.25 tsp kosher salt and transfer everything to the pepita bowl.

    3 min

    Tip: Letting the tomatoes sit untouched in the pan creates those delicious charred spots without mushiness.

  4. 4

    Wipe out the skillet and place back on medium-high. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Lay the 4 red snapper fillets skin-side down, pressing gently with a spatula for 10 seconds so the skin stays flat. Sear skin-side down for 3 minutes until golden crisp, then flip and cook for 1 minute until tender and opaque.

    4 min

    Tip: We're not suffering for dinner! Don't move the fish around—just let the heat do the work.

  5. 5

    Stir 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 0.25 cup fresh cilantro into the blistered tomato and pepita bowl. Season with the remaining 0.25 tsp kosher salt. Spoon the warm relish generously over the seared snapper fillets.

    1 min

    Tip: Taste it—then decide! Needs more acid? Add an extra squeeze of lime right at the table.

Chef's Notes

This is a Tuesday snapper, not a weekend production! If red snapper isn't available at your counter, ask for any firm white fish fillet with skin on—halibut, sea bass, or black bass work beautifully. Serve alongside warm corn tortillas or over a quick bed of cilantro-lime rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does 15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish take to make?

15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish takes about 15 minutes total. That includes 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for 15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for 15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish?

The main ingredients are: red snapper fillets, olive oil, kosher salt, raw pepitas, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, fresh lime juice, fresh cilantro, ground cumin.

What type of meal is 15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish?

15-Minute Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Blistered Tomato & Pepita Relish is categorized as: dinner.