Catfish is a much-loved fish in the southern United States and all over the world for its firm flesh and mild flavor. This delicious fish is a popular main ingredient for many dishes, from fried catfish nuggets to grilled catfish fillets.
Whether you prefer your catfish crispy fried, baked, or grilled, catfish offers a lot of possibilities for delicious recipes you will love.
In this article, we will share with you 32 easy catfish recipes that you can try today. These recipes are simple, yummy, and require only a few ingredients.
You can enjoy them for your family dinners, weekend gatherings, or when you crave a catfish dish. Let’s get started!
32 Easy Catfish Recipes
1. Southern Fried Catfish
Fried catfish is a classic southern dish popular for its crispy exterior and fluffy interior. This recipe is simple and easy to make. You will need catfish fillets, cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oil for frying.
Coat the catfish fillets with the seasoned flour mixture and fry until golden brown. Get ready for a delicious crunch!
2. Grilled Catfish Fillets
Grilled catfish is a healthier alternative to fried catfish. To make this dish, you will need catfish fillets, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Rub the catfish fillets with the seasoning mixture and grill them over medium heat until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges for maximum flavor.
3. Baked Catfish
Baked catfish is an easy and quick way to prepare this fish. You will need catfish fillets, butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, season both sides of the catfish fillets with salt and pepper and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the fillets before serving.
4. Catfish Étouffée
Catfish Étouffée is a cajun classic dish that features tender catfish fillets in a rich and spicy tomato-based sauce.
You will need catfish fillets, onion, celery, bell pepper, canned tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
Sauté the vegetables and add the canned tomatoes and seasonings to make the sauce. Then add the catfish fillets to the sauce and simmer until cooked through. Serve over rice or with crusty bread.
5. Catfish Po’Boy
A po’boy sandwich is a Louisiana classic that is perfect for lunch or dinner. To make this sandwich, you will need catfish nuggets, cornmeal, flour, Creole seasoning, mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Coat the catfish nuggets with the cornmeal and flour mixture and fry until golden brown. Assemble the sandwich with the catfish nuggets, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise. Serve with a side of fries.
6. Crunchy Catfish Tacos with Tequila Creamed Corn
Crunchy catfish tacos are a delicious dish that combines crispy fried catfish with a flavorful tequila-infused creamed corn.
The catfish is coated in a batter and then fried until golden brown, while the creamed corn is simmered with tequila, heavy cream, and spices.
The tacos are then assembled with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, cilantro, and lime wedges.
7. Catfish Stew
Catfish stew is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for chilly nights. You will need catfish fillets, onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, canned tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves.
Sauté the vegetables and add the canned tomatoes, broth, and seasonings to make the stew. Add the catfish fillets to the stew and simmer until cooked through. Serve with crusty bread.
8. Oven-Fried Catfish Nuggets
Oven-fried catfish nuggets offer a healthier and low-fat alternative to traditional fried nuggets. You will need catfish nuggets, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Coat the catfish nuggets with the breadcrumb mixture and bake in the oven until crispy and golden brown.
9. Blackened Catfish
Blackened catfish is a spicy and flavorful dish that is perfect for the bold palate. You will need catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, and oil for frying.
Coat the catfish fillets with the seasoning mixture and fry in hot oil until blackened and crispy on the outside.
10. Pan-Seared Lemon Herb Catfish Fillet
Pan-seared catfish is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring flaky catfish fillets crusted with a fragrant blend of lemon zest and fresh herbs. Cooked to golden perfection, it’s a delightful and easy meal.
11. Southern Cornmeal-Crusted Baked Catfish
Southern Cornmeal-Crusted Baked Catfish is a dish featuring catfish fillets coated in a flavorful cornmeal mixture and baked until golden brown and crispy.
It’s a Southern staple known for its satisfying crunch and flaky fish.
12. Foil-Baked Lemon Catfish
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Foil-baked lemon catfish is a simple and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Catfish fillets are baked in foil packets with lemon slices, herbs, and spices, resulting in moist and flaky fish with a bright citrusy taste. It’s a fuss-free recipe that’s easy to clean up and requires minimal effort.
13. Catfish Parmesan
Catfish Parmesan is a dish that combines breaded catfish fillets with a cheesy tomato sauce.
It’s a classic Italian-American dish that’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
14. Marinated Catfish Fillets
Tender catfish fillets steeped in a flavorful mixture of herbs and spices, resulting in a moist and delicious fish dish.
Perfect for baking, grilling, or pan-frying, marinated catfish fillets are a versatile and easy-to-prepare meal.
15. Catfish Cakes
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Catfish cakes are savory fritters made with flaked catfish meat, typically combined with binding agents like eggs and breadcrumbs, along with various seasonings and vegetables.
They are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and flavorful on the inside.
Often served with a dipping sauce like tartar sauce or remoulade, they are a popular seafood appetizer or main course.
16. Cajun Catfish Supreme
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Cajun Catfish Supreme features pan-seared catfish bathed in a rich, creamy sauce filled with shrimp, mushrooms, and vibrant Cajun spices.
This dish is a flavorful taste of Louisiana cuisine.
17. Cheesy Catfish Chowder
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Cheesy catfish chowder is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is made with catfish, potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy cheese sauce.
The catfish is cooked until flaky, and the vegetables are tender-crisp. The cheese sauce is rich and flavorful, and it ties all of the ingredients together.
18. Catfish Tuscany
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Catfish Tuscany isn’t actually a dish from the Tuscany region of Italy, but rather a recipe inspired by Mediterranean flavors.
It typically involves broiled catfish fillets topped with a mixture of Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, and tomatoes. The dish is known for being easy to prepare and quite flavorful.
19. Catfish Teriyaki
Catfish teriyaki is a sweet and savory dish that is perfect for a quick dinner. You will need catfish fillets, teriyaki sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions.
Marinate the catfish fillets in the teriyaki sauce, ginger, and garlic. Grill the fish until cooked through and garnish with green onions.
20. Catfish Sandwich with Cumin Slaw
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These crispy fried catfish sandwiches layered with a cool and crunchy cumin slaw.
The earthy cumin in the slaw perfectly complements the mild sweetness of the catfish, making for a delightful flavor combination.
21. Cajun Pecan Catfish
Cajun Pecan Catfish is a baked or pan-fried dish featuring catfish fillets coated in a flavorful Cajun spice mix and topped with a crunchy pecan, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumb crust.
It’s a delicious and easy way to enjoy catfish with a delightful blend of Cajun spice and nutty richness.
22. Catfish Tacos with Mango Salsa
These catfish tacos are a delightful fusion of flavors, featuring catfish fillets, mango salsa, lettuce, and tortillas. Grill the catfish, assemble the tacos with fresh mango salsa, and enjoy a burst of tropical taste.
23. Catfish Sliders
Catfish sliders make for a fun and versatile dish. You’ll need catfish fillets, small buns, lettuce, tomatoes, and a special sauce of your choice. Fry the catfish until crispy, then create sliders with your preferred toppings.
24. Catfish and Collard Greens
A southern classic, catfish and collard greens are both flavorful and nutritious. You’ll need catfish fillets, collard greens, onions, bacon, and seasonings. Prepare the catfish to your liking and serve alongside collard greens cooked with onions and bacon.
25. Catfish Grits
Catfish and grits are a delightful combination of comfort foods. Prepare catfish fillets to your liking and serve them over creamy cheese grits for a hearty and satisfying meal.
26. Catfish Ceviche
Catfish ceviche offers a refreshing twist on this Latin American favorite. You’ll need catfish fillets, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, and avocado. Marinate the catfish in lime juice and mix it with fresh ingredients for a zesty ceviche.
27. Catfish Tandoori
Catfish tandoori is a fusion of Indian flavors with catfish fillets. Marinate the catfish in tandoori spices and yogurt, then grill or bake them to perfection.
28. Catfish Tzatziki Bowl
Create a Mediterranean-inspired catfish tzatziki bowl with catfish fillets, tzatziki sauce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. Serve this delightful combination over rice or as a salad.
29. Catfish in Brown Butter Sauce
Catfish in brown butter sauce is a simple yet elegant dish. Pan-fry catfish fillets to a golden crisp, then make a nutty brown butter sauce with lemon and capers to drizzle over the fish.
30. Catfish in Thai Red Curry
Catfish in Thai red curry is a flavorful and spicy dish. Cook catfish fillets in a rich and aromatic red curry sauce made with coconut milk, red curry paste, and Thai herbs.
31. Catfish Egg Drop Soup
Catfish egg drop soup combines catfish with a flavorful broth made with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and egg. It’s a comforting and easy soup that’s perfect for chilly days.
32. Catfish and Pecan Salad
Create a delicious catfish and pecan salad with catfish fillets, mixed greens, toasted pecans, and your favorite vinaigrette. It’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Final Thoughts,
Now that you have 32 easy catfish recipes to try tonight, you’ll never run out of ideas for cooking this tasty fish.
Whether you prefer it fried, grilled, baked, or simmered in a flavorful sauce, there’s a catfish recipe here that’s perfect for any occasion.
So, next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up some catfish fillets and get ready to make some delicious meals!
