If you’re from the south or have spent any amount of time there, then you probably already know that fried catfish is a southern summer staple, and it’s a great one. However, that’s just one of the many tasty catfish recipes out there, and the south doesn’t have a monopoly on them all. (And even if they did, they’d be kind enough to share. Southern hospitality, am I right?) All jokes aside, I’ve been in the mood for some good, old-fashioned catfish lately, so I decided to put my cravings to good use and come up with a list of catfish recipes we could all enjoy. Crispy fried catfish is at the top of that list, but I’ve also given you options for pan-seared, blackened, baked, and broiled catfish, along with several others.
17 Recipes With Catfish That’ll Make You a Believer
1. Crispy Southern Fried Catfish
Perfectly crispy catfish in just 20 minutes? Yes, please! Besides maybe the fish itself, you probably already have everything you need to make this juicy, flavorful dish. All you’ll need is cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, milk, vegetable oil, and butter. You can add some lemon juice and parsley as a garnish if you like, but it doesn’t need it. It tastes good enough just as it is.
2. 30-Minute Baked Catfish
Baked catfish takes a little longer to make than fried catfish, but if you do it correctly, you can ensure it’s still just as crispy and tasty. This particular baked fish recipe is ideal for those on ketogenic or low-carb diets because it uses specific ingredients – avocado oil, almond meal, etc. – to keep the fish at two net carbs per serving.
3. Catfish Amandine
This 30-minute catfish dish is an excellent choice for anyone looking to eat healthily and keep to a low-calorie, low-carb, and low-added sugar diet. It’s buttery, has a delicately crunchy crust, and the thinly sliced almonds and garlic combine with the catfish to make an incredibly unique and memorable flavor.
4. Spicy, Sweet, Cast-Iron Catfish
This catfish is both sweet and spicy and halfway between pan-seared and blackened. In short, it’s delicious, no matter what you’re craving, and it’s all thanks to the rub. All you’ll need to cook it are the fish filets and oil, but the hand-mixed rub is where all your flavor is. You’ll make it with cumin, paprika, dark brown sugar, oregano, salt, garlic, and cayenne. If you get that right, everything else will fall into place.
5. Blackened Catfish
If you’re in the mood for a bit of Cajun cuisine, blackened catfish is the way to go. The Cajun seasoning makes the fish taste exquisite, but it’s the maque choux that makes it unbeatable. Maque choux is almost like succotash; it combines onions, peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, Tabasco, and butter. The veggies are fresh and flavorful, and Tabasco gives it a kick. You may not be in the French Quarter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat like you are.
6. Pineapple Honey Bourbon Grilled Catfish
This sweet and tropical grilled catfish is perfect if you’re looking for something sweet and savory for summer. It uses fewer than ten ingredients, and you can have a whole pound of fish ready in under an hour. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious way to feed the entire family.
7. Pan-Fried Catfish Filets
Pan-fried catfish filets are oniony, garlicky, and a bit spicy. They have crispy, golden-brown exteriors and flaky, tender meat inside. Serve them with sides of lemon juice and tartar sauce for a tasty treat.
8. Baked Catfish Nuggets
If you’re trying to find a way to get your kiddos to eat more fish, give these five-ingredient catfish nuggets a try. I’m not sure why, but kids love nuggets. (Of course, most adults do, too.) And with nothing more than catfish, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, you can have a whole batch of these herby nuggets on the table in 30 minutes or less. Your kids will thank you, and everyone else will, too.
9. Fried Catfish Po’ Boy
We’ve already established that southern-style fried catfish is scrumptious. Now, let’s take it to the next level by sticking it on Italian rolls and loading it down with pickles, tomatoes, hot sauce, remoulade sauce, and all your favorite po’ boy toppings.
10. Peachy Good Catfish Sandwich
This catfish sandwich has it all – juicy tomato slices, tender, flaky catfish, sweet peach preserves, salty bacon, crisp lettuce, and more. It combines sweetness, saltiness, savoriness, and herb flavor. Plus, there’s plenty of umami flavor, as well. Pair it with some hush puppies, fries, or a bag of chips for a complete meal.
11. Crunchy Catfish Tacos With Tequila Creamed Corn
The crunchy catfish in these tacos is terrific; it’s everything you could want from fried catfish. However, that said, the tequila creamed corn is phenomenal. Try it once, and you’ll whip it up once or twice a week – catfish or no catfish. It’s creamy, fresh, and unbelievably flavorful. It makes the perfect topping for these tacos, but if you decide to sit and eat it by itself with a spoon, I promise you that I will understand.
12. Shrimp and Catfish Gumbo
If you’re in the mood for gumbo but don’t want to make a roux, try this roux-less shrimp and catfish gumbo. It takes about 90 minutes to make and is full of seafood and veggie flavor. The ingredients list is a bit long, but that’s pretty much a given with most gumbo recipes. It’s spicy, and it’s chunky enough to be filling without any side dishes. If you do want to serve it as part of a larger meal, go with plain rice. The gumbo tastes great poured on top of it. Cornbread – especially spicy cornbread – wouldn’t hurt either.
13. Broiled Catfish With Artichokes and Tomatoes
This dish isn’t one of the prettiest options on the list, but it is one of the easiest to make. It takes only 15 minutes, and luckily, it tastes a lot better than it looks. Broiling the catfish makes it supremely flaky and tender; you can pull it apart with your hands. The artichoke, tomato, and onion mixture on top adds an almost salsa-like flavor, too.
14. Oven-Fried Catfish Bites
Crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, these oven-fried catfish bites make a delightful appetizer. They’re small and convenient – not messy or greasy – to eat, and they have an incredible seasoning mixture that’s spicy, earthy, and just salty enough. Serve these with various dipping sauces to give your guests more flavor options.
15. Creamy Catfish Chowder
Catfish chowder is thick, creamy, and fishy. Of all the recipes on this list, this one probably features catfish’s bold, fishy flavor most prominently. If you’re looking for something light and mild, this isn’t it, but if you’re in the mood for a comforting, hearty chowder with lots of flavor, you’ll love it.
16. Grilled Lemon-Herb Catfish
Check out this recipe for grilled lemon-herb catfish if you’re looking for an especially succulent catfish platter. It’s buttery, well-seasoned, and delicious, and the tender noodles make it even more filling. It’s a bit spicy, very zesty, and has a light, bright flavor that’s hard not to love.
17. Catfish Courtbouillon
Here’s another excellent option if you’re in the mood for something spicy, zesty, and full of Cajun flair. It takes about an hour to make, and you’ll have to put a little work into getting it right, but if you’re willing to do that, you’ll have an exceptional, restaurant-quality meal that’s out of this world. It combines catfish, bacon, tons of fresh veggies, herbs, spices, and more. It’s an absolute flavor explosion on your tongue. It’s so good, even fish-haters will probably like it. Click on a star to rate it!
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