:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/redfish-bake-or-red-drum-3058404-hero-01-d36feef746bd49b8b59ee77b11428f72.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
The Acadian redfish is a rockfish that is sometimes marketed as "ocean perch." It is a non-oily fish with a sweet, somewhat mild flavor and large flakes.
Chef Paul Prudhomme made the fish very popular in the early 1980s with his recipe for Cajun-style blackened redfish. He first used the term "blackened" to describe a dish of redfish in his cookbook, Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen. The popularity of the dish led to the overfishing of redfish in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Acadian redfish, from the Northwest Atlantic, is considered a sustainable fish and should not be confused with the redfish (red drum) from the Gulf of Mexico, which was designated a protected game fish in 2007. For a more sustainable option, choose Acadian redfish, farmed redfish, or red drum.
Feel free to substitute red snapper, black drum, haddock, cod, or another type of mild, white fish fillets.
This fish dinner is so versatile, it goes well with everything from tossed salad, steamed veggies, french fries, or rice.
Tips for Making Baked Redfish Fillets Recipe
- Don't overcook - Fish cooks quickly, and it's important to cook it thoroughly without overcooking. If you don't have a reliable instant-read thermometer, you can test it with a fork. Fish will look opaque when it is done. To check the fish, insert the tines of a fork into the thickest part of a fillet and twist it gently, pulling up some of the flesh. If it is underdone, it will not flake easily and will look translucent. If it is done, the flakes will come up with the fork and look opaque.
- To make lemon wedges - Slice the ends off of the lemon with a sharp knife. Slice the lemon in half lengthwise. Cut each half into three wedges and then slice off the white membrane running down the center of each wedge. Remove the seeds.
Ingredients
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1/4 cup butter, melted, plus more for the baking dish
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1 1/2 pounds redfish fillets, about 1/2-inch thickness, thawed if frozen
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2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 small to medium lemon)
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2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
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1 teaspoon sweet paprika
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Lemon wedges
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C/Gas Mark 4. Lightly butter a shallow baking dish that is large enough to hold the fish fillets in a single layer.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Pat 1 1/2 pounds redfish fish fillets (about 1/2-inch thickness) with paper towels to dry.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Arrange the redfish fillets in the prepared baking dish skin-side down (if there is skin on the fillets).
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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In a cup or small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of melted butter with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons onion (finely chopped), 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Pour the butter and seasoning mixture over the redfish fillets.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 F/63 C. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
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Serve the redfish with lemon wedges and rémoulade sauce, if desired.
The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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324 | Calories |
15g | Fat |
1g | Carbs |
45g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 324 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 15g | 19% |
Saturated Fat 8g | 40% |
Cholesterol 110mg | 37% |
Sodium 505mg | 22% |
Total Carbohydrate 1g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 45g | |
Vitamin C 4mg | 20% |
Calcium 75mg | 6% |
Iron 1mg | 3% |
Potassium 917mg | 20% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |