If you want to buy hogfish, you are shopping for one of the best-loved fish in the Florida Keys. Hogfish has delicate white meat, a mild and sweet flavor, and a buttery texture that does not need much help in the kitchen. We call it a Key Largo local's favorite, and once you taste it, it is easy to see why.
This guide covers what hogfish is, how it tastes, how to cook it with a simple butter pan sear, how to choose between fresh and frozen, and what to serve on the side.
What Is Hogfish?
Hogfish is a reef fish with white, flaky meat. Despite the nickname "hog snapper," it is a wrasse, not a snapper, named for its long, pig-like snout. It is mostly harvested by spearfishing, which makes it a rarer find than many other reef fish, and it is closely tied to the food culture of the Florida Keys.
What Does Hogfish Taste Like?
Hogfish tastes mild, sweet, and buttery, with a tender, delicate, flaky texture. It is often described as a balance between grouper and snapper. If you think you do not like fish, or you are cooking for someone who does not, hogfish is a gentle place to start.
How Do You Cook Hogfish?
Keep it simple. Hogfish can be fried, baked, broiled, or sautéed, and our portions are best pan seared, baked, grilled, or broiled. The fillets are thin, so they cook fast. Pull the fish when the meat turns opaque and flakes easily at the thickest point, or when it reaches 145°F.
Here are quick timings, depending on thickness:
- Pan sear: 2 to 4 minutes per side
- Bake: 8 to 12 minutes at 400°F
- Broil: 4 to 6 minutes, about 6 inches from the heat
- Fry: 2 to 3 minutes per side in a light breading
How Do You Pan Sear Hogfish in Butter?
This is the easiest way to let the flavor shine. It serves two and takes about 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2 hogfish fillets or portions, about 8 oz each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Chopped parsley
Steps:
- If your hogfish is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator. Cut open the vacuum bag first. Pat the fish dry with paper towels so it browns instead of steaming.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Add the fish and cook without moving it for 2 to 3 minutes, until the underside is golden. Thicker portions can take 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip the fish, add the butter and garlic, and cook 1 to 3 minutes more, spooning the melted butter over the top.
- Finish with lemon juice and parsley, and serve right away.
For a shortcut, use our Gourmet Butter in Garlic and Sea Salt in place of the plain butter and garlic.
Should You Buy Fresh or Frozen Hogfish?
Either one works. Choose fresh when you plan to cook within a day or two, and choose freshly frozen when you want hogfish on hand.
|
Feature |
Fresh fillets |
Freshly frozen |
|
How we sell it |
By the pound, while supplies last |
Individually vacuum-packed fillets by the pound, or 8 oz portions, depending on availability |
|
Best for |
Cooking within a day or two |
Keeping in the freezer and thawing one portion at a time |
|
Prep |
Pat dry and cook |
Thaw in the refrigerator, cut open the vacuum bag first, then pat dry |
Because hogfish is a rarer find, stock changes, so order yours while it is available. Curious how hogfish compares with other Keys favorites? Read our guide to fresh local fish in the Florida Keys.
What Should You Serve With Hogfish?
Keep the sides light so the fish stays the star:
- Coconut rice
- Mango or pineapple salsa
- Grilled asparagus
- Roasted potatoes
- A squeeze of fresh lime
For dessert, finish with a slice of our Key Lime Pie.
Ready to Taste What Keys Locals Love?
Hogfish is mild, sweet, and quick to cook, which makes it an easy first step into Keys seafood. Looking for fresh fish in Florida? Our market ships with overnight delivery to many areas. Choose fresh or freshly frozen hogfish while it is in stock, and taste why it is a Keys favorite.