Grilled Hogfish Snapper

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Looking for a delicious grilled hogfish snapper recipe? The hogfish has sweet and buttery meat and they uniquely don’t actually have that pungent fishy smell, which makes them a delight to cook with.

Secretly, even though hogfish are called hogfish snappers, they’re a wrasse that can be found along the tropical coasts of the western Atlantic Sea and off the coast of Florida. Like most tropical fish, hogfish is a really easy fish to grill and eat.

Grilling your hogfish doesn’t take long in fact, a lot of people overcook it! But if it’s done right, it’s delicious.

It’s also a common problem that the fish ends up sticking to the grill. There’s an easy way to not let that happen and in this recipe, I show you how. 

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Hogfish Snapper Recipe

You’ll love this hogfish snapper recipe because it’s simple seafood recipe, super quick and easy to do. There’s not that much to prepare with this recipe, but the hogfish tastes delicious and is a easy-to-eat, flaky white meat that pairs well with other foods. 

You can throw any side with it that you want, like bread and dip or roasted tomatoes.

What You’ll Need to Cook Grilled Hogfish Snapper

• Smoked Paprika
• Ground Pepper
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Oregano
• Dried Thyme
• Salt
• Cayenne Pepper
• Boneless, Hogfish Snapper Fillets
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Lemon Wedges

How to Grill Hogfish Snapper

Step 1: Heating your grill

Preheat grill to medium-high of 400˚F-450˚F.

Step 2: Mixing the Fish Seasoning

Combine paprika, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and cayenne in a small bowl.

Step 3: Seasoning your Fish

Brush your hogfish all over with oil then sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides and inside of the fish.

Step 4: Preparing your Grill Grates

To avoid the fish from sticking to your grill grates, make sure to use some spray oil on the grates. Or you can use a clay enamel tray, that absorbs the heat but also helps to avoid that stickiness. Coat the clay enamel tray with your chosen oil. (Duck fat works well too). 

If you want the skin to turn out crispy make sure you dab the outer skin with a paper towel and give it a bit of a spray with oil. 

Step 5: Grilling the Fish

Grill the fish, covered, until it flakes easily and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 145˚F, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Step 6: Searing your Fish

Open the broiler cover on your smoker to get an open flame sear on your fish.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve with a garden salad and lemon wedges.

What Temperature to Cook Grilled Hogfish Snapper at

The grilled hogfish snapper will be grilled at 400˚F-450˚F temperature.

What Internal Temperature You Need to Reach For Grilled Hogfish Snapper

The internal temperature of the grilled hogfish snapper should read 145˚F.

How Long to Cook Grilled Hogfish Snapper

The grilled hogfish snapper will take about 3 to 5 minutes on each side to cook. 

How To Store Leftover Grilled Hogfish Snapper

You can store the leftover grilled hogfish snapper in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container. 

Best Wood Chips for Grilled Hogfish Snapper

The best wood chips to use on your grill to grill hogfish snapper are a blend of something neutral like birch and oak with a lighter wood chip like cherry, apple, or alder. 

It’s good to use a mix, so the fish doesn’t end up being overpowered.

Fish is porous so it’ll take easily to the smoke flavor. 

What To Serve With Grilled Hogfish Snapper

Hogfish snapper is great on its own but accompanied by some extra sides never goes astray. I like the following:

• Turkish bread and hommus dip
• Brussel sprouts
• garden salad with balsamic dressing
• dolmades, olives and feta
• mango and prawn salad.

Where to Purchase Hogfish Snapper

You’ll be able to find your hogfish stocked at a fishmonger or fish market. They should come whole or in fillets. 

How Do I Stop My Fish Sticking to the Grill

The best way to stop the whole fish from sticking to your grill is to use a clay enamel tray that’s coated liberally with either duck fat or some type of cooking oil. You can purchase these from any BBQ store department store, or online. 

I’ve found this has helped me to not have to deal with the aftermath of grilling fish. It also means that more flavor stays on the fish. 

Can I Grill My Hogfish Whole?

Yes, you can grill your hogfish snapper whole, but there are some extra steps you need to take to prepare your hogfish. 

First, I’d score the hogfish diagonally so you get a cross-hatched look at the fish. This just helps the seasoning soak up the fish. I’d also 100% use the clay enamel tray so the fish skin doesn’t get stuck to the grill. You would also need to grill it on a lower heat for longer so it cooks evenly.

Smoke On!

Charlie

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