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Top 10 Catfish Recipes

Catfish are delicious and nutritious, and their populations are perpetually renewable resources

Top 10 Catfish Recipes
Sour cream is a great addition to this Chili Dusted Catfish Recipe. (Photo courtesy of Chef Lucia Watson)
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A variety of cooking methods do them justice, as cats fare well baked, broiled, poached, casseroled, steamed, stewed or fried. To fuel your culinary exploits, we’ve assembled 10 of our favorite catfish recipes. Keep in mind that ultimately, how good they taste depends much on the care given from the catch to the table.


Chili-Dusted Catfish Recipe

This Chili-Dusted Catfish Recipe is best served over a plate of homemade rice.

Catfish Ingredients:

  • 2 catfish fillets
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
  • 1 egg
  • Pinch of sugar
  • ½ cup dry bread crumbs

Rice Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon butter, plus extra
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken stock or water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup minced scallions

Get the Recipe: Chili-Dusted Catfish Recipe


Baked Catfish With Guacamole and Refried Black Beans Recipe

Baked Catfish With Guacamole and Refried Black Beans Recipe
For a less spicy recipe, substitute sweet peppers for the jalapeños. (Photo courtesy of In-Fisherman.com Staff)

A sure winner with catfish, this recipe also performs well with walleye, pike, bass and large crappies.

Catfish Ingredients:

  • 2 (6- to 8-ounce) catfish fillets
  • 1 Roma tomato, diced
  • ¼ onion, minced
  • 2 jalapeño chilies, cut into rounds
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, mashed
  • 1 tablespoon tequila (optional)

Guacamole Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 2 cloves garlic, mashed
  • Lime juice
  • 1 small tomato, finely minced
  • ½ onion, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Refried Black Beans Ingredients:




  • 1-2 cans cooked black beans
  • 2 cloves garlic, mashed
  • ½ onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon bacon fat or olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Get the Recipe: Baked Catfish With Guacamole and Refried Black Beans Recipe


Catfish Fajita Recipe

Catfish Fajita Recipe
This quick Catfish Fajita Recipe is as flavorful as it is colorful. (Photo courtesy of In-Fisherman Staff)

A Southwestern treat from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, this Catfish Fajita Recipe is guaranteed to please the pickiest of palates.

Ingredients:

Recommended


  • 2 pounds of catfish fillets
  • 1 cup lime juice (5 or 6 limes)
  • 3 cups mesquite or hickory wood chips
  • 1 large onion, sliced and warmed
  • 1 large sweet red or green pepper, cut into strips
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas, separated into rings
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Lime wedges

Get the Recipe: Catfish Fajita Recipe


Catfish & Potato Stew with Herbed Biscuits Recipe

Catfish & Potato Stew with Herbed Biscuits Recipe
Substitute any nice white-fleshed fish such as walleye, pike or bass to make this recipe. (Photo courtesy of Chef Lucia Watson)

While it might take some time, this Catfish & Potato Stew with Herbed Biscuits Recipe is easy for anyone to master.

Catfish Stew Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 strips bacon, cut small
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery with leaves, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 medium potatoes, diced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dry or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • Dash of Tabasco
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound catfish, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 2 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped

Herb Biscuit Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoon mixed fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, chives, dill)
  • 2 cups heavy cream

Get the Recipe: Catfish & Potato Stew with Herbed Biscuits Recipe


Catfish Cakes Recipe

Catfish Cakes Recipe
This Catfish Cakes Recipe is crunchy on the outside and flavorful on the inside. (Photo courtesy of In-Fisherman Staff)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources offers this delightful and easy-to-fix catfish dish.

Ingredients:

  • 2 catfish fillets (approximately 1 pound each), diced
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup onions, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup green peppers, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup pancake mix
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oil for frying

Get the Recipe: Catfish Cakes Recipe


Catfish With Chili Cornmeal Crust Recipe

Catfish With Chili Cornmeal Crust Recipe
This recipe can be substituted with walleye fillets. (Photo courtesy of Chef Lucia Watson)

Serve this crusted catfish recipe with your choice of topping – a sweet pepper, corn and bacon relish or a creamy horseradish sauce.

Catfish Ingredients:

  • 2 (8-ounce) catfish fillets, rinsed in cold water and patted dry
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, bacon fat or an inch of oil

Sweet Pepper, Corn & Bacon Relish Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sliced green, red and yellow peppers
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 3 slices bacon, finely diced
  • 2 ears corn (slice kernels off cobs), about 2 cups
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives

Horseradish Sour Cream Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Salt and pepper

Get the Recipe: Catfish With Chili Cornmeal Crust Recipe


Catfish Amandine Recipe

Catfish Amandine Recipe
This crunchy mixture of sliced almonds and other delicious ingredients makes for a quick-to-make, unique recipe.

This catfish recipe is covered in a savory almond-garlic sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup low-fat milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pound catfish, cut into 4 portions
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Get the Recipe: Catfish Amandine Recipe


Crab Stuffed Catfish Recipe

Crab Stuffed Catfish Recipe
This Crab Stuffed Catfish Recipe looks great and tastes amazing.

This seafood special is a simple and delicious meal to fix for the whole family.

Ingredients:

  • 6 (6-ounce) catfish fillets
  • 2 (6-ounce) cans lump crabmeat, drained and flaked
  • 1 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
  • 1 rib celery, finely chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

Get the Recipe: Crab Stuffed Catfish Recipe


Stir-fry Catfish Recipe

Stir-fry Catfish Recipe
This catfish recipe is best served with a side of white rice and garnished with sesame seeds. (Photo courtesy of Chef Lucia Watson)

Make this Stir-fry Catfish Recipe your own by incorporating your favorite vegetables.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ medium red, yellow and green peppers, cut into julienned strips
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 scallions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, stemmed & chopped
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Get the Recipe: Stir-fry Catfish Recipe


Blackened Catfish with Maque Choux Recipe

Blackened Catfish with Maque Choux Recipe
This Blackened Catfish With Maque Choux Recipe is simple yet unique.

In true Louisiana fashion, use Tabasco to add some heat to the maque choux in this blackened catfish recipe.

Catfish Ingredients:

  • 4 catfish fillets
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ½ cup Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Maque Choux Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped, about 1 cup
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 4 cups corn kernels
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • Salt and Tabasco sauce to taste

Get the Recipe: Blackened Catfish with Maque Choux Recipe

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