Simply soak the catfish in milk for an hour before frying to eliminate any leftover fishy taste. The cornmeal crust creates a perfect light and crispy texture.

What side dishes go well with fried catfish?

15 Best Side Dishes for Catfish

  1. Cilantro Lime Rice. Fried catfish is not the heartiest of dishes, so you’ll want to serve a hearty side to go alongside it.
  2. Hush Puppies. Hush puppies are a Southern staple and a must-have at any fish fry.
  3. French Fries.
  4. Fried Green Tomatoes.
  5. Mac & Cheese.
  6. Corn Bread.
  7. Coleslaw.
  8. Cucumber Salad.

What makes fried catfish mushy?

Wrong – If you put too much in the pan, the oil’s temperature will drastically drop. The fish will come out unevenly cooked and even mushy. The oil will seep into the food, which will dilute the flavor and make it unappealing.

Why do you marinate catfish in milk?

Be sure to soak the fillets in buttermilk (or whole milk) first, because it really improves the flavor of the fish. Freshwater fish sometimes have a “muddy” flavor, and the milk will neutralize or wash out that undesired after-taste.

How do you make catfish taste good?

Starts here2:14How to remove the “muddy” taste from catfish – YouTubeYouTube

What vegetables go good with catfish?

Side dish that goes well with catfish including hush puppies, french fries, coleslaw, braised greens, red beans, vegetable salad, mac and cheese, potato salad, spinach and squash, white rice, and spaghetti. Fried catfish can be a tasty option for snacks, dinner, or lunch. You can adjust it to your liking!

What is the best oil to fry catfish in?

Peanut oil is preferred, Crisco and lard are good alternatives for the peanut-allergic. Sources are split on whether to use a deep fryer or a dutch oven, but that’s a matter of taste and what’s on hand. You just want to make sure that you’re deep frying, and that you’re not using canola oil.

How long can catfish to soak in milk?

Directions. Place the catfish fillets in a wide bowl and cover with the buttermilk or milk. Let it soak for about an hour (although even 30 minutes will improve the flavor).

What does soaking fish in buttermilk do?

Soaking Fish in Buttermilk It will not only neutralize the molecules that make the fish smell fishy, it will also go a long way toward hiding the muddy taste some fish retain from the water where they’ve lived their lives. That’s why, for example, many Southern recipes call for soaking catfish in buttermilk.

What can I use instead of cornmeal to fry fish?

4 Cornmeal Alternatives for Crispy-Crusted Trout Fillets

  1. Pan-Fried River Trout with Corn Cakes and Red-Pepper Coulis. These fillets get nice and crispy, thanks to a coating of crumbled saltine crackers.
  2. Matzo Meal-Crusted Trout.
  3. Pumpkin Seed-Fried Trout with Grapefruit and Fried Sage.
  4. Peanut-Crusted Fish with Swiss Chard.

What is the best recipe for fried catfish?

Heat a fryer or a deep pot halfway filled with oil to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle both sides of each catfish with salt and crab boil seasoning. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and the cornmeal . Dredge the catfish in the flour mixture and place in fryer. Deep fry for approximately 7 to 8 minutes until done.

How long to bake catfish fillets in oven?

Dip the catfish fillets in milk, then place them into the cornmeal mixture and coat liberally; place on the greased baking sheet. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray until wet. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

What is the best way to fry catfish?

Directions. Roll the milk-soaked filet in the cornmeal mixture until completely covered. Set aside. Fry the garlic in the hot skillet, but do not burn. Add the coated catfish filets and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, sprinkling salt on the fish after each turn. Cook until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain on paper towels.

How do you bake catfish?

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange the catfish in a shallow baking dish; season liberally with salt and pepper. Spread onion slices over the fish. Dot fish with butter. Bake in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 20 minutes.