This white fish is good for more than just frying (though that's delicious too)! Take a look at our best catfish recipes.
15 Catfish Recipes That Will Make You a Believer
Updated on Apr. 20, 2023
Skillet-Grilled Catfish
The Cajun flavor is great in this skillet-grilled catfish recipe. You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock. —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania
1/14
2/14
Pretzel-Crusted Catfish
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 610 calories, 31g fat (4g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1579mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
3/14
Southern Seafood Gumbo
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 180 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 512mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
4/14
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings (2 cups salsa)
From the Recipe Creator:
A delightful and tasty rub makes this quick recipe fantastic. While the fish is sitting to allow the flavors to blend, you can easily assemble the salsa. My family loves this! —Laura Fisher, Westfield, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 1/2 cup salsa: 376 calories, 22g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 541mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
5/14
Southwestern Catfish
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Catfish fillets are rubbed with a blend that includes chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne and paprika, then topped with homemade salsa. A green salad, garlic bread and baked sweet potatoes round out the meal nicely.
—Bruce Crittenden
Clinton, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 107 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 1825mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
6/14
Pan-Fried Catfish with Spicy Pecan Gremolata
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Gremolata, a citrusy minced herb mix, makes a flavorful garnish. This well-seasoned version, with pecans added, gives an unexpected nutty flavor to the catfish.— Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 2 tablespoons gremolata: 586 calories, 37g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
7/14
Lime Broiled Catfish
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To serve a reduced-calorie dish that is ready in about 15 minutes, I came up with this fast, simple recipe. I think the lime juice adds a different fresh flavor to the mild taste of the fish. —Nick Nicholson, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 254 calories, 14g fat, 98mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate, 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat.
8/14
Cornmeal Catfish with Avocado Sauce
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings (3/4 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was growing up in California, my mother made catfish quite often, and it was always a hit. Now I cook it with my own twist. When only frozen catfish fillets are available, I thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and they work just as well. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3 tablespoons sauce: 505 calories, 37g fat (6g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
9/14
Zesty Baked Catfish
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This catfish combines common pantry seasonings for a taste that's anything but basic. —Karen Conklin, Supply, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 259 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
10/14
Southern Pecan Catfish
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I coat the catfish in pecans, then top it with a thick, rich cream sauce. It looks like you spent all day on it, but it's actually very speedy to prepare. Garnish it with lemon wedges, parsley or more chopped pecans if you desire. —Mary Ann Griffin, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 633 calories, 59g fat (24g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 856mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
11/14
Cajun Catfish
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This well-seasoned fish nets me compliments from family and friends whenever I serves it. The fish is moist and flakey, the coating crisp, crunchy and flecked with paprika. —Jim Gales, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 242 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
12/14
Secret Ingredient Fried Catfish
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pancake mix and carbonated water are the surprising secrets to these beautifully browned catfish fillets. Serve with coleslaw or sweet potato fries, and get ready for smiles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. If you’re looking for more such recipes, try our favorite fried catfish.
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 475 calories, 34g fat (5g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
13/14
Cajun Pecan Catfish
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of our favorite recipes. It's quick, easy and delicious. Just serve with a side salad, biscuits and mixed fruit for dessert. We like it a lot for Christmas Eve. —Jan Wilkins, Blytheville, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 377 calories, 28g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
14/14
Pretzel-Crusted Catfish Bites
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my book. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with honey! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 637 calories, 34g fat (5g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 1503mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
