We’re sharing 12 of the Best Catfish Recipes for you to try. All of them are easy to make and cook up quickly enough to serve on busy weeknights. From classic fried catfish to baked versions to unique Asian catfish recipe, there’s a dish for everyone.
If you and your family enjoy fish, catfish is a great option! It’s a lean source of protein, is low in calories, and has good-for-you omega-3 fats, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also mildly flavored and slightly sweet.
The most popular way to cook catfish is to deep-fry the fish. You can also bake, grill, or pan fry the fish.
Catfish has a mild taste with a slightly sweet flavor. It’s less flaky and denser than other white fish or salmon.
If you plan to fry your catfish, we recommend soaking it in milk for about an hour before frying to eliminate any fishy taste.
Easy Catfish Recipes for Dinner (Fried Catfish and More)
You’ll love the crunchy cornmeal-coated fried catfish! It’s well seasoned and perfectly complements the mild flavor of the fish. Enjoy it with crisp roasted potatoes and a bright green veggie!
Ingredients:
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup milk
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3/4 cup fine cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- vegetable oil for frying
Instruction:
- In a heavy frying pan, pour enough oil to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the pan on medium-high until the oil reaches 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, add a cube of dry bread to the oil. If it sizzles, the oil is hot enough for the fish.
- Soak the catfish in the milk.
- Mix together the cornmeal, flour, and spices for dredging
- Place the mixture in a shallow dish.
- Dredge the fillets in the mixture, shake off the excess and sprinkle them with salt.
- Add the fillets to the hot oil.
- Fry the fish until golden brown, for about 2-4 minutes, and carefully turn to brown on the other side for another 2-4 minutes.
Crispy Southern Fried Catfish
Simple is best, and this Southern Fried Catfish is no exception. The easy dinner recipe only requires a handful of pantry staples and it’s ready about 20 minutes!!!
Prep: 10min
Total: 20min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 (4 ounce) fillet
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 (4 ounce) fillet, calories 222 kcal, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Protein 14.7 g, Fat 15.8 g, Saturated Fat 4.1 g, Cholesterol 36.7 mg, Sodium 659.3 mg, Fiber 0.6 g, Sugar 0.1 g
Ingredients:
- 4 catfish fillets ((about 3-4 ounces each))
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt ((I use Lawry’s brand))
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Optional garnish: lemon wedges and fresh parsley
Instruction:
- Combine cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
- Pour milk into a separate dish.
- Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Dip a catfish fillet in the milk, and shake off any excess.
- Transfer milk-soaked fish to the cornmeal mixture and gently roll to coat on both sides.
- Repeat with remaining fillets.
- Place fish in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on each side (about 5-7 minutes per side). The fish will flake easily with a fork when it’s done.
- Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the fish in batches. Don’t overcrowd the skillet! Feel free to wipe out the pan and use additional butter/oil, as necessary, for subsequent batches.
- Drain fish on paper towels.
- Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and a lemon wedge, if desired.
Southern Fried Catfish: How to cook this delicious fish
FAQ
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