6 Amazing Catfish Recipes You Need to Try

Mouthwatering Catfish Recipes That Will Hook You

Catfish, a staple in many Southern kitchens, is renowned for its mild, sweet flavor and versatile nature.

Whether you’re frying, grilling, baking, or stewing, catfish adapts beautifully to a variety of cooking methods and seasonings.

Here are six delicious catfish recipes that will elevate your dining experience and impress your guests.

1. Classic Southern Fried Catfish

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Catfish: Place the catfish fillets in a shallow dish and pour buttermilk over them. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Breading: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat about an inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
4. Coat the Fillets: Remove the catfish from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
5. Fry the Catfish: Carefully place the fillets in the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve: Transfer the catfish to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve hot with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

2. Cajun Blackened Catfish

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat a Cast-Iron Skillet: Place a cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot.
2. Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
3. Season the Catfish: Brush both sides of the catfish fillets with melted butter, then coat generously with the spice mix.
4. Blacken the Catfish: Add a small amount of butter to the hot skillet. Place the catfish fillets in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the fish is blackened and cooked through.
5. Serve: Serve immediately with lemon wedges and your choice of sides.

3. Baked Catfish with Herbs and Lemon

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon slices for garnish
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Marinate the Catfish: Place the catfish fillets in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Let them sit for 15 minutes.
4. Bake the Catfish: Arrange lemon slices on top of the fillets and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

4. Catfish Tacos with Avocado Crema

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

For the Avocado Crema:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season the Catfish: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the catfish fillets.
2. Cook the Catfish: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the catfish fillets for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
3. Prepare the Avocado Crema: In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, sour cream, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
4. Assemble the Tacos: Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet. Fill each tortilla with catfish pieces, shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of avocado crema. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
5. Serve: Serve immediately with lime wedges.

5. Catfish Gumbo

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup sliced okra (fresh or frozen)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into chunks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Make the Roux: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns a deep brown color, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Add Vegetables: Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, okra, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Add Catfish: Add the catfish chunks to the pot and cook until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 10 minutes.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaves and season the gumbo with salt and pepper. Stir in the green onions. Serve over cooked white rice.

6. Grilled Catfish with Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mango Salsa:

• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Season the Catfish: Brush the catfish fillets with olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill the Catfish: Place the catfish fillets on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
4. Prepare the Mango Salsa: In a bowl, combine the diced mango, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix well.
5. Serve: Serve the grilled catfish fillets topped with mango salsa. Enjoy!

Conclusion

These six catfish recipes will showcase the versatility and deliciousness of this popular fish.

Maybe you prefer your catfish fried to a crispy golden brown, or blackened with a spicy kick, baked with herbs.

Perhaps you like it transformed into a vibrant taco, or a simmered in a hearty gumbo.

Last but certainly not least it could be that you like grilled and topped with fresh salsa.

No matter how you like it we hope there’s a recipe here that leaps off the page and screams “Print me!”

If you like these catfish recipes then you might also like our grouper recipes list as well.

Happy cooking!