• Dog Snapper

Spicy Snapper Poke

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About Spearos Kitchen

Spearos Kitchen is an ocean to table education platform focused on helping the recreational spearfishing and fishing communities responsibly utilize their catch through recipes, species guides, fillet tutorials, and educational content.

What is Snapper Poke?

Snapper poke is a Hawaiian-inspired dish made by cutting fresh snapper into bite-sized cubes and tossing it with seasonings such as soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and other flavorful ingredients. The mild, slightly sweet flavor of snapper allows it to absorb marinades well while maintaining a delicate texture, making it an excellent alternative to traditional tuna poke.

raw dog snapper poke
Dog Snapper Poke

Snapper poke is commonly served over rice as a poke bowl or enjoyed on its own as an appetizer. Fresh toppings like avocado, cucumber, seaweed, jalapeños, and sesame seeds add texture and flavor, creating a light, refreshing dish that highlights the quality of the fish.

Spicy Snapper Poke

Can You Make Poke With Snapper?

Of course you can make poke with snapper, and if I’m being honest, it might be better than making it with tuna! This snapper poke recipe is another one that I have been craving for quite some time. While poke is typically made with tuna, it is absolutely delicious with other species like snapper, and even cero mackerel! I generally go for the more basic types of poke that utilize a simple soy sauce with sesame oil, but this day I decided to dress it up a little more.

snapper poke
Spicy Dog Snapper Poke Recipe

What Sets This Poke Recipe Apart

This particular recipe uses Kewpie mayo and sriracha sauce as the base, with a little bit of soy sauce, sesame oil, and furikake seasoning to really bring the snapper poke together. If you’ve every been to Foodland in Hawaii, this is very similar to one of the styles of poke that they have available there. One thing that sets my recipe apart, however, is the addition of the crispy fish skins! If you’ve never made them before, the full recipe is on our website.

How I Got This Dog Snapper

A Shadow In The Rocks

I love hunting dog snapper, they’re skittish, smart, and often hard to get a shot on if you actually see one. This particular day I was diving an artificial reef off of Dania Beach. The sun has just come up and I had made maybe one or 2 dives. I decided to breath up and check a hole that I commonly see some nice fish in. When I shined my light in there, all I could see was the silhouette of a dog snapper jaw.

dog snapper
Dog Snapper

Fish Secured: Snapper Poke Incoming

I took the shot immediately and the fish turned last second. Instead of hitting him in the head where I was aiming I actually hit him broadside right thru his backbone. Once I confirmed he was hit and wasn’t moving I resurfaced to breath back up because he was still deep in the rocks. I thought the recovery might not be so easy since he was so far back, but luckily he pulled right out and I was able to quickly secure him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this recipe would go great with any other species of snapper as well as fish such as cero mackerel, yellow jack, and wahoo!

Yes, properly cared for fish can be eaten raw, but please do so at your own risk. Please read our disclaimer below if you are considering eating this fish uncooked.

RAW FISH DISCLAIMER: Consuming raw or undercooked fish, shellfish, or seafood may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, immunocompromised, elderly, or have certain medical conditions. Always source seafood from reputable suppliers, keep it properly refrigerated, and follow safe handling practices. If you are unsure whether a fish is safe to eat raw, cook it thoroughly to the recommended temperature before consuming.

Dog snapper can occasionally be found at specialty seafood markets and fishmongers in coastal regions where the species is commercially or recreationally harvested, particularly in the Caribbean, South Florida, and parts of the Gulf of Mexico. However, because dog snapper is not as widely available as other snapper species, many seafood enthusiasts obtain it through recreational fishing or spearfishing rather than purchasing it from a store.

Yes, and because dog snapper poke typically gets more flavorful the longer it marinates if you leave this in the fridge overnight it will probably be even better the following day!

Honestly no! You want to use fish that has had at least a few days to break down. When snapper is fresh right out of the ocean it will always have a chewy texture that wouldn’t be great for poke bowls or other raw preparations. I would highly recommend wrapping your fillets in papers towels and placing them in the fridge for a few days for the best results!

Other Recipes You Might Like

snapper poke
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Snapper Poke

by zachery dykeZachery Dyke
This spicy snapper poke recipe combines rich, creamy kewpie mayo with the bold flavors of sriracha to make an incredible dish!
Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Start Cooking
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 444kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Snapper Fillets (cubed)
  • ¼ cup Kewpie Mayo (or regular mayo)
  • 3 tbsp Sriracha
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 tbsp Furikake Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Crushed Fish Skin (optional)
  • 1 Green Onion (thinly sliced)

Instructions 

  • Cut the Snapper Fillets into small, even, cubes. Place inside your mixing bowl.
    1 pound Snapper Fillets
  • Add your Kewpie mayo, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, and furikake seasoning into your mixing bowl.
    ¼ cup Kewpie Mayo
    1 tbsp Soy Sauce
    1 tsp Sesame Oil
    2 tbsp Furikake Seasoning
    3 tbsp Sriracha
  • Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring the snapper gets coated evenly.
  • Garnish with green onion and crushed fish skins.
    1 tbsp Crushed Fish Skin
    1 Green Onion
  • Serve by itself or with rice and other toppings!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1342mg | Potassium: 1015mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg
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