Mutton Snapper can be targeted using live bait, dead bait, and artificial lures. The most successful method, however, is using artificial lures. Snappers, in general, are considered fine table fare and can be prepared in a variety of ways. So is Mutton Snapper good to eat?

The short answer is yes, Mutton Snapper are good to eat. Some might even say Mutton Snapper are excellent table fare. The meat can be described as being light, flaky, and white with a slight pink tint. The texture is firm and lean and offers a sweet and mild taste, especially when eaten fresh.

Mutton Snapper taste similar to Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail, and Cubera Snapper. They’re much better than Tripletail or Queenfish. Let’s learn more about Mutton Snapper!

What are Mutton Snapper?

Mutton Snapper are a small-sized species in the Snapper family and can be found in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Atlantic Ocean. They can be located in coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. They prefer a habitat that offers reefs or structures.

Mutton Snapper are olive green on the back and upper sides, with a faded and lighter colored belly. They feature a dark spot on the side just above the distinct lateral line and a blue stripe on the face just below the eye. This blue line follows the contour of the gill cover. They have a red hue on the fins that are located just below the lateral line. The anal fin is pointed, and the vomerine tooth patch is chevron-shaped.

Author Note: Mutton Snapper feeds mainly on more minor types of fish, snails, and crustaceans. Adults are known to be solitary, while juveniles will school for protection. Mutton Snapper can reach lengths of up to 37in (94cm) but generally are caught when they are around 20in (50cm).

Anglers can target juvenile Mutton Snapper all day, while adult Mutton Snapper should be targeted early in the morning or late in the afternoon before sunset. Mutton Snappers are active at night and feed on the surface. This is a great time to target them. They can be found at depths of 25-90m (80-300ft) but are commonly targeted at 40-70m (130-230ft).

Tasty Mutton Snapper Recipes

Roasted Mutton Snapper Fillets with Onions and Tomatoes

This is a wonderful recipe that is full of flavor and nutrition. It is relatively simple to execute with a preparation time of 25 minutes, a cooking time of 35 minutes and will yield four servings. It’s a big reason we think Mutton Snapper is good to eat.

Ingredients

4 x fresh Mutton Snapper fillets
12 x thin slices of lemon with the seeds removed
20 x ¼ inch thick slices of tomato (Romanita tomatoes if available)
¼ x cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 x bunch freshly chopped basil
½ x cup freshly chopped sweet onions
¼ x cup Kalamata olives (pitted and sliced)
1 x teaspoon of salt
1 x teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for Seasoning

1 x tablespoon of dried oregano rub
1 x tablespoon of onion powder
2 x tablespoon of garlic powder
2 x tablespoons of salt
1 x tablespoon of black pepper
2 ½ x tablespoons of paprika
1 x tablespoon of dried thyme

Combine all these ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix thoroughly, set aside.

Ingredients for Rice Pilaf

½ x teaspoon salt
1 ¾ x cups of chicken stock
2 x tablespoons of unsalted butter
2 x tablespoons of freshly chopped green onions
1 x cup of long-grain white rice
¾ x cup of freshly chopped yellow onions

Preparing the Rice Pilaf

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a large oven-proof saucepan to medium heat, melt the butter and then add onions. Gently fry for 3-4 minutes or until soft.

Add the long-grain white rice and cook for 3-4 minutes or until opaque (no longer transparent).

Add salt and chicken stock and bring to the boil. It is important to stir consistently at this stage.

Cover with a tight-fitting lid, transfer to the oven, and bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Set aside to rest for five minutes with the lid removed.

Using a fork, fluff the rice and add green onion. Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Ingredients for Tomato Salsa

2 x tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley
2 x tablespoons of freshly chopped basil
2 x tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 x medium-sized heirloom tomatoes, freshly chopped into cubes
1 x teaspoon of salt
1 x teaspoon of pepper

Combine these ingredients and put them into the blender and blend for 4-5 seconds, set aside.

Cooking Directions

This recipe is another reason why we think Mutton Snapper is good to eat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add olives, onions, salt, pepper, and basil.

Season the Mutton Snapper fillets with salt, pepper, and seasoning that you made.

Place fillets on the baking sheet, cover with tomato salsa and lemon slices, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the Mutton Snapper is cooked through.

Dish a healthy serving of rice on each plate. Using a steel spatula, remove fillets and place them on top of the rice. Remove tomatoes, onions, and lemons and cover the fillets.

Garnish with freshly chopped basil, serve and enjoy.

Grilled Mutton Snapper with a Garlic Cilantro Sauce

Ingredients

4 x fresh Mutton Snapper fillets
1/3 x cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 x cups of cilantro
2 x cups of flat-leaf parsley
3 x cloves of garlic
4 x tablespoons of coconut oil
½ x teaspoon of honey
1 x tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
½ x teaspoon of red pepper flakes
½ x teaspoon of salt

Directions for Making the Sauce

Place lime juice, salt, garlic, honey, and red pepper flakes in a food processor and gently pulse blend.

Add parsley and cilantro and drizzle with extra virgin olive and gently pulse blend, remove the lid and clean the sides of the processor.

Blend well or until a liquid is formed.

Directions for Cooking the Fish

Bring a large cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat, and melt the coconut oil.

Season Mutton Snapper fillet with salt and pepper.

Place in the skillet and cook one side until the fish is ¾ of the way through. It is important to check that the fish is not sticking to the skillet regularly. Use a metal spatula to loosen the fillets if they do.

Turn the fish over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until cooked through. A great indicator that the Snapper is ready is white around the edges and pink in the middle.

Place the fillets on plates and drizzle with your delicious cilantro garlic sauce.

Serve and Enjoy.

Grilled Mutton Snapper with Caper Sauce

Ingredients

4 x fresh Mutton Snapper fillets
1/3 x cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
1 x teaspoon of pepper
1 x teaspoon of salt
¼ x teaspoon of dried thyme
3 x cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 x jalapeno, seeded and chopped

Ingredients for Sauce

¼ x teaspoon of pepper
2 x teaspoons of a chopped, seeded jalapeno
1 x tablespoons of capers
2 x teaspoons of red wine vinegar
2 x tablespoons of freshwater
3 x tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
3 x tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
1 x clove of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 x shallot, peeled
½ x cup of cilantro leaves

Directions

Place olive oil, water, lime juice, red wine vinegar, and cilantro leaves in a small processor and blend thoroughly. Place in a resealable bag or airtight container.

Add the fresh Mutton Snapper fillets and seal. Turn the container or bag upside down to coat the fillets equally. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Remove fillets and discard the remaining marinade.

Lightly coat the grill with oil to ensure that the fish does not stick.

Cover the fillets and grill for 3-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. When ready, the meat should easily flake apart when forked.

Combine the remaining sauce ingredients in a processor and blend thoroughly.

Place the fillets on plates and cover with sauce.

Serve and enjoy.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 272
Fat 12g
Saturated Fat 2g
Sodium 435mg
Carbohydrates 5g
Sugar 1g
Fiber 1g
Cholesterol 60mg

Conclusion

Mutton Snapper are a small-sized species in the Snapper family. They are olive green on the back and upper sides, which fades towards the belly. They can be identified by a dark spot on the side, just above the lateral line. And a blue stripe on the face just below the eye, which follows the gill cover’s contour.

Mutton Snapper feeds mainly on snails, crustaceans, and a wide variety of smaller fish. While juveniles school for protection, adults are known to be solitary. On average, they can achieve lengths of 20in (540cm) but have been known to reach 37in (94cm).

Adult Mutton Snappers are active at night and regularly feed on the surface. They can also be targeted at sunrise and sunset. Juvenile Mutton Snapper are extremely active and can be targeted all day. Mutton Snappers are generally found at depths of 130-230ft (40-70m). If you want to learn how to catch Mutton Snapper, check out our guide on the best lures for Mutton Snapper and how to jig for Mutton Snapper.

Mutton Snapper is considered excellent table fare, the flesh is versatile, and it can be prepared in many different ways. The texture is firm and lean, and it offers a pleasantly sweet and mild taste. The flesh can be described as being flaky and white, with a slight pink tint.

When properly cooked, the edges should be white with a pink center. We hope you enjoyed this article on if Mutton Snapper are good to eat.

Happy Hunting!

Finn Sky

Finn has been an avid fisherman since learning to fish with his dad in the 90s. He's caught over 50 species of fish and makes a habit of trying out as many new techniques and fisheries as he can. His specialties are salmon and trout fishing, but he also has experience fishing for tropical and pelagic fish such as marlin and tarpon.

Is Mutton Snapper Good to Eat? Read This First