Instant-Pot Snapper a la Veracruzana

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Fort of San Juan de Ulúa

📍 Where this dish comes from: Veracruz · Fort of San Juan de Ulúa
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Instant-Pot Snapper a la Veracruzana, plated and ready to serve

Ingredients for Instant-Pot Snapper a la Veracruzana

Instant-Pot Snapper a la Veracruzana

Think of the classic coastal Veracruz stew — briny green olives, capers, roasted peppers, and tomato — ready before you can finish a salsa tune, thanks to the Instant Pot.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 265kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb red snapper fillets skinless; sub: cod, grouper, or chicken breast cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil sub: avocado oil, ghee
  • 1/2 medium white onion diced; sub: shallot or leeks
  • 3 cloves garlic minced; sub: 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes no-sugar; sub: crushed fire-roasted or fresh roma
  • 1/2 cup chicken or fish stock sub: dry white wine or water + bouillon
  • 1/3 cup pitted green olives halved; sub: black olives or sliced pepperoncini
  • 1 tbsp capers rinsed; sub: diced pickles
  • 1/2 cup roasted red pepper strips; sub: jarred pimientos or sautéed bell pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle powder or chili flakes sub: smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano Mexican if possible; sub: Italian oregano or thyme
  • Sea salt & black pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges & fresh cilantro to serve

Instructions

  • Sauté aromatics: Set Instant Pot to Sauté > High. Warm olive oil, then cook onion 2 min until translucent. Add garlic; stir 30 sec.
  • Build the sauce: Pour in tomatoes, stock, olives, capers, red pepper, chipotle, oregano, and ½ tsp salt. Scrape up browned bits.
  • Nestle the fish: Pat snapper dry, season with pepper, and lay fillets on top (they can overlap slightly).
  • Pressure cook: Cancel Sauté. Lock lid, set to Pressure Cook > High for 3 min. Natural-release 5 min, then quick-vent.
  • Finish & serve: Carefully lift fillets onto bowls. Stir sauce, taste for seasoning, then ladle around fish. Shower with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 265kcal | Protein: 46g | Fat: 13g
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Cooking Instant-Pot Snapper a la Veracruzana in the kitchen

About This Dish

Think of the classic coastal Veracruz stew — briny green olives, capers, roasted peppers, and tomato — ready before you can finish a salsa tune, thanks to the Instant Pot.

Health Benefits

  • Red snapper provides lean, highly bioavailable protein.
  • Olives and capers add briny flavor without any added sugar.

Pairs Well With

  • Taco Jar Salad
  • Air-Fried Avocado Fries
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