Catfish is one of the most common fish caught where I grew up (along with large-mouth bass), but it seems like everybody cooks it the exact same way. Pan-fried with cornmeal. We decided that it was time to put together a list of great catfish recipes for everybody so that you have some options for your next fishing trip.
Traditional cornmeal crusted catfish is great, but if you do a lot of fishing, it can get boring real fast.
Also, sometimes wild-caught catfish can get a bit of a muddy flavor that a soak in milk won’t cure (soaking in milk helps with the fishy flavor, but not so much with a muddy flavor). They are bottom feeders after all and have a tendency to taste like the water they live in.
Amping up it with some additional flavors will make you crave that muddy old fish. Cook it up for your fishing buddies and you’ll guarantee your spot on every fishing trip.
Traditional Pan-Fried Catfish
Traditional Pan-Fried Catfish – Sometimes the tried and true is all that’s needed. It’s traditional for a reason, right? Maybe you just want to do what has worked instead of experimenting with a bunch of other catfish recipes.
Having a good pan-fried catfish recipe in your war chest and a little preparation before your next fishing trip will make cooking your catch right on the river bank quick and easy.
This recipe can almost be done without putting your beer down.
Primary equipment needed: Camp stove and a frying pan.
Parmesan-Crusted Catfish
Parmesan-Crusted Catfish – Sometimes you just aren’t in the mood for plain old cornmeal coated catfish. If you want to change things up on your next fishing trip, pan-fried parmesan-crusted catfish will do the trick.
The parmesan will add an extra layer of flavor and the Panko will add extra crisp to make that boring old catfish a lot more flavorful.
Primary equipment needed: Camp stove and a frying pan.
Beer-Battered Catfish
Beer-Battered Catfish – Cooking a batch of Beer-battered catfish offers a perfect opportunity to buy extra beer. It is also tasty, being crispy on the outside and almost creamy on the inside.
Add some malt vinegar and some fries, and you have a pretty great plate of fish and chips.
Primary equipment needed: Camp stove and a frying pan.
Catfish Tacos
Catfish Tacos – Making a batch of catfish tacos is an excellent way to liven up a fishing trip. The addition of a jalapeno aioli will add some acidity and creaminess to perfectly offset the fried catfish and has the bonus of being made at home before your trip.
All you’ll have to do at the campsite is toast some tortillas and fry up your catfish.
Primary equipment needed: Camp stove and a frying pan, plus a small cast iron pan for toasting the tortillas.
Dutch Oven Catfish Creole
Dutch Oven Catfish Creole – Catfish Creole is an excellent alternative to fried catfish and far better in my humble opinion. The catfish comes out tender and loaded with flavor after a half-hour simmer in the trinity (onion, celery, and bell pepper).
With the robust Creole flavors, this may be my favorite out of all of our catfish recipes. It is especially good if you take the time to cook the trinity down until it is almost mush.
Primary equipment needed: Cast iron dutch oven. A 12-inch dutch oven is best. A small saucepan is helpful if you want to make some parboiled rice on the side.
Thai Catfish Curry
Thai Catfish Curry – Thai catfish curry is extremely quick and easy to make, healthy, and tastes excellent. The tropical flavors of the coconut, curry paste, garlic, ginger, chiles, and fish sauce work perfectly with catfish.
This recipe will change the way you look at that bottom feeding catfish.
Primary equipment needed: Camp stove and a 5-quart dutch oven. A small saucepan is helpful if you want to make some parboiled rice on the side.
Leave a Reply