Catfish is a delicious fish that is often enjoyed by people in the southern United States. The most common cooking method is to fry it, but catfish can also be grilled, broiled and sautéed. Catfish has a mild sweet taste and few scales and the flesh is denser than other white fish, allowing it to be cooked in a variety of ways. Catfish filets soaked in brine can also be enjoyed raw. If you want to know how to cook catfish in different ways, follow these steps.
Ingredients
Pan Fried Catfish
- 4 (8-ounce) catfish filets
- 1/2 cup yellow corn flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. creole seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 3/4 cup milk
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, split
- Lemon slices for garnish
Dry Fried Catfish
- 4 (6-ounce.) catfish filets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup corn flour
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tbsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle amber (amber) beer
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. black pepper
- 2 tbsp. White sand
- 1 squeeze of lemon
Grilled Catfish
- 2 (7-8 ounces) catfish filets
- 4 ounces butter
- 4 ounces dry white wine
- 1 tbsp. Orange water
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp. paprika
Grilled Catfish
- 6 catfish filets (6-8 ounces)
- Vegetable oil spray
- 3/1 cup lemon juice
- 3 tbsp. melted butter
- 1 tbsp. spiced lemon pepper
Step
Method 1 of 4: Pot Fried Catfish
Step 1. Prepare the catfish
In order for the catfish to be ready for frying, you must first rinse 4 (8-ounce) filets of catfish under cold water and then pat them dry with a paper towel until the moisture is completely absorbed.
Step 2. Make the corn flour mixture
To do this, mix the cornstarch, salt, flour, salt, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper together in a flat plate until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Mix 1/2 cup yellow cornstarch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. creole seasoning, 1/2 tsp. paprika, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper together in a shallow dish.
Step 3. Pour 3/4 cup of milk into another dish
Step 4. Dip the catfish fillets in the milk then coat them with the cornstarch mixture
The milk will help absorb the cornstarch mixture. When you're done coating the filets, shake them to remove any excess mixture.
Step 5. Heat 3 tbsp
butter in a large skillet.
Place the skillet on high heat.
Step 6. Fry both sides of the two filets for 3 minutes each
Fry each side for 3 minutes or until the fish side is tender when pierced with a fork. Then, flip the fish over and do the same to the other side. It may take less time to fry the second side.
Step 7. Transfer the filets to a serving plate
Repeat the frying process with the other two filets.
Step 8. Serve
Garnish the catfish filet with lemon wedges and serve immediately.
Method 2 of 4: Dry Fried Catfish
Step 1. Heat the frying pan to 350ºF (176ºC)
Step 2. Mix the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and chilies together until the ingredients are combined
Place the ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tbsp. kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper.
Step 3. Shake 1 (12-ounce) bottle of yellow beer and toss into the ingredients
Continue to stir the ingredients to remove any lumps until the beer has completely dissolved into the rest of the ingredients.
Step 4. Cut 4 (6-ounce) catfish filets in half lengthwise
Make two strips of each fish.
Step 5. Make a salt mixture
To make this mixture, combine the salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Mix 1 tbsp. salt, 1 tbsp. black pepper, and 2 tbsp. Garlic granules together in a small bowl and stir the ingredients together with a spoon.
Step 6. Sprinkle the salt mixture over the filets
Sprinkle salt mixture on both sides of the filet until smooth.
Step 7. Dip each strip of fish in the beer batter
Soak in the mixture for 10-15 seconds until absorbed.
Step 8. Place the fish in the frying pan
Once the pan has heated up, you can place several fish into the pan at a time and arrange them so they don't stick.
Step 9. Fry the fish for 3-4 minutes
Continue to fry until it is brown and crispy.
Step 10. Serve
Remove the fish from the frying pan and place it on a serving plate. Season the fish with lemon juice and enjoy while hot.
Method 3 of 4: Grilled Catfish
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC)
Step 2. Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste
Step 3. Place the fish in an oval casserole dish
Step 4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over high heat
' Place 4 ounces of butter in a small saucepan and heat until butter is completely melted.
Step 5. Mix the wine, lemon juice, garlic, and cilantro for a saucepan
Combine 4 ounces dry white wine, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. chopped garlic, and 1 tsp. Chop the cilantro together in a small bowl.
Step 6. Pour the wine mixture into a saucepan and simmer for 2 minutes
Step 7. Transfer the mixture over the fish
Then, sprinkle 1 tbsp. peppers on top of fish.
Step 8. Bake the fish for 10-12 minutes
Place the fish in the oven and bake until fully cooked.
Step 9. Serve
Enjoy this delicious grilled catfish while it's hot.
Method 4 of 4: Grilled Catfish
Step 1. Coat a baking sheet with spray oil
Step 2. Place the fish in the lined grill pan
Place 6 filets (6-8 ounces) of catfish in a baking dish.
Step 3. Mix lemon juice, butter, and seasoned lemon pepper together
Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, 3 tbsp. melted butter, and 1 tbsp. lemon pepper seasoning together in a small bowl.
Step 4. Coat the filets with the butter mixture
Use a brush to coat the filets with the batter.
Step 5. Place the pan on the grill
Close the lid.
Step 6. Grill the fish over medium-high coals of 300-400ºF (148-204ºC) for about 6-8 minutes on each side
The fish should peel on each side if you touch it with a fork. Continue to baste the fish as it cooks.
Step 7. Serve
Serve this grilled catfish with mashed potatoes or grilled vegetables.
Tips
- If the belly of the catfish is much larger than the tail, cut two diagonal slits in the belly of the catfish before cooking.
- Catfish are at the bottom of the food chain so naturally catfish eat dead fish and rotting organisms. However, there are also catfish raised on a whole grain diet instead of the animal waste or particles found in lakes and ponds.
Warning
- Hot oil often splashes out of the fryer while cooking. Back off this cooking a little to protect against burns.
- All cooking utensils, oil and catfish will become hot during and after cooking. Wear gloves and be careful to prevent burns.
