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16 Catfish Recipes That Highlight the Versatility of This Flavorful Fish

Updated on February 23, 2024

And they’re easy to whip up, too.

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Our Best Ideas for Catfish

Catfish is a staple in the South, and for good reason. This meaty fish is mild, moist and tender yet firm, so it’s ideal for serving as an entrée, as a topping for sandwiches or a filling for fish tacos. Whether you dredge and fry it or sear it on the grill, it’s a versatile ingredient that’s easy to prepare. Hungry for a few of our favorite catfish recipes? You'll love Kardea's Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish. We like to think of it as a way to mix up a typical dinner dish—making it extra crispy and flavorful. First, marinate the fillets in a spice mix made of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper, then cover them in finely-ground cornmeal. Next, fry the fillets in hot oil until perfectly golden and crisp. Serve alongside a crisp salad or some rice and vegetables, but don’t forget to squeeze fresh lemon over each piece for a bit of zesty flavor.

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Tortilla Crusted Catfish Po' Boys

We’ve all heard of cornmeal-crusted catfish; but what about tortilla-crusted catfish? This fun spin on the traditional recipe uses finely ground corn tortillas as the base for the crunchy crust. Once fried, the golden crust is just as crispy and crunchy as the traditional, which a slightly sweeter flavor. Serve with homemade Cajun mayo, lettuce, tomato and your favorite hot sauce.

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Photo: Matt

Fried Catfish Fingers

Who needs chicken fingers when you can have fried catfish fingers? This favorite is flaky and tender on the inside, crunchy and slightly spicy on the outside. Soaking the catfish in buttermilk for a short time adds a tangy flavor, and if you whisk in a little hot sauce you get an extra layer of heat.

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Pete's Catfish

A good catfish dish doesn’t have to be overly complicated, and this recipe is proof of that. It requires less than 10 simple ingredients—like catfish fillets, cornmeal, salt, pepper and oil for frying—and can be done in just a few steps. The only time-consuming bit? Soaking the catfish in a water brine overnight. After that, simply dredge, fry and enjoy.

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