Lemon Grilled Catfish Recipe - Out Grilling (2024)

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Grilled Catfish is really simple to prepare on the grill when you are looking for something a bit healthier than the typical deep fried fish. Prepared with a delicious lemon and herb rub that brights the smoky grilled fish.

I grew up eating fried catfish from our family restaurant and it will forever be a favorite but I have to say that I love grilled catfish even more. Serve it over grilled vegetable rice pilaf for a hearty and delicious family meal.

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Ingredients for Grilled Catfish:

  • Catfish Filets
  • Olive Oil
  • Panko Bread Crumbs
  • Lemon Zest
  • Brown Sugar
  • Ground Rosemary
  • Granulated Garlic
  • Dried Thyme
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Dry Mustard
  • Kosher Salt

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How to Grill Catfish:

  • Prepare a grill fire to about 350° using pecan chunks for smoke flavor.
  • Make a double layer of heavy foil and fold up the edges to form a grill pan that will fit on your grill.

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  • Zest 3 whole lemons.

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  • In a bowl, combine brown sugar, ground rosemary, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, dry mustard and salt. Stir in lemon zest.

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  • Pat fish filets dry with paper towels.
  • Spray with olive oil or brush lightly.

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  • Dredge one side of fish filets in panko bread crumbs and place crumb side down on the foil. This is an optional step but we found that the panko keeps the fish from sticking to the foil and adds just a bit of texture to the fish.

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  • Sprinkle lemon rub over the fish.

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  • Place fish with foil over indirect fire and cook with the grill closed about 12 minutes.

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  • Check with a digital meat thermometer, cooking until fish reaches at least 145°.
  • Remove fish with the foil onto a baking sheet and serve immediately.

How to Tell if Catfish is Done on the Grill?

Fish and seafood are cooked through at 145°. Fish will be flaky and no longer translucent.

Grilling Facts for Grilled Catfish:

  • Grill: Big Green Egg Large
  • Heat Source: Hardwood Lump Charcoal
  • Wood: Pecan
  • Grill Temperature: 350°

How to Store and Reheat:

  • Store leftover fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
  • Reheat in a 325° oven on a baking sheet for about 8- 10 minutes.

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More Grilled Fish Recipes to Try:

  • Grilled Salmon
  • Grilled Sablefish
  • Honey Pecan Salmon
  • Grilled Cod

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It seems like a lot of times the lemon flavor can get lost in the cooking process but using lemon zest along with the brown sugar and herbs really comes through on the grilled fish. It’s a delicious flavor combination and the perfect way to enjoy your fresh catch.

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Grilled Catfish is a great dinner to change up your weekly menu routine. The lemon rub along with the hardwood smoke makes this a fish recipe that the entire family can agree on.

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Grilled Catfish

Grilled Catfish is really simple to prepare on the grill when you are looking for something a bit healthier than the typical deep fried fish. Prepared with a delicious lemon and herb rub that brights the smoky grilled fish.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Fish & Seafood

Cuisine: American

Keyword: catfish filets, catfish recipe, grilled fish, how long to grill fish, how to grill catfish, lemon catfish

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 457kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds catfish filets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest from 3 lemons
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Prepare a grill fire to 350° with pecan chunks for smoke flavor.

  • Make a double layer of heavy duty foil that will fit on the grill, folding up the edges to form a shallow pan for the fish.

  • Mix lemon zest with brown sugar, ground rosemary, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, dry mustard and salt.

  • Spray or lightly coat fish on one side with olive oil.

  • Dredge into panko and place panko side down onto foil.

  • Sprinkle rub over the top of the fish.

  • Cook over indirect heat with the grill closed for about 10 - 15 minutes. Use a grill thermometer to check fish, cooking until fish reaches at least 145°.

  • Remove to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days.

Reheat on a baking sheet in a 350° oven for 8 - 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 510mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g

Lemon Grilled Catfish Recipe - Out Grilling (2024)

FAQs

How many minutes does it take to cook a catfish? ›

Season catfish with salt and pepper, then dredge fish in seasoned cornmeal, pressing to coat. Step 2Place fish on prepared baking sheet and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Bake until golden and fish flakes easily with a fork, 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

How long should you soak catfish before cooking? ›

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). Remove the fillets from the milk and dredge them in the cornmeal. Pat them on both sides to make sure the cornmeal coating adheres well.

How long should you grill fish for? ›

Per inch of fish, the general rule is to allow 8-10 minutes of grill time. So, if your fish is two inches in thickness, grill each side for about six to eight minutes. But its always a good idea to check the instructions on your recipe.

How do I make sure my catfish is cooked? ›

All catfish should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing the meat from the heat source.

Do you need to soak catfish before cooking? ›

Do You Need To Soak Catfish Before Frying? Soaking fish in milk or buttermilk will help remove an overly fish smell and flavor from a filet of catfish, salmon, or other fish. While you can incorporate this extra step into your preparation, it's certainly not necessary when you're making Crispy Pan-Fried Catfish.

What is the best temperature to cook catfish? ›

It is usually done in a skillet (cast iron works well!) with about a half-inch or so of oil in it. To get the perfect balance of cooking your fish through without burning the crust (or—almost worse—letting it get oil-logged), run the oil's heat at 350°F (177°C).

What happens if you overcook catfish? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Can you soak catfish in lemon juice? ›

Soaking fish in anything acidic like lemon, lime or vinegar will already “cook” it. If you soak fish in lemon it won't be raw when you will want to cook it… but you'll have ceviche.

Should catfish be room temperature before cooking? ›

It's bone dry on the outside, raw in the center.

Whether it's fish or meat, let it stand at room temperature for up to half an hour before cooking to equalize the temperature between inside and out.

Is it better to grill fish in foil or on the grill? ›

It's easy: Have no fear of your prized perch sticking to hot grill grates. Take the gamble out of grilling fish by making a foil basket instead. It's quick: The foil conducts heat and helps to steam fish in just minutes. It holds up: Delicate, flaky fillets can't stand up against many forms of cooking.

How do you grill catfish on a gas grill without foil? ›

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Brush and oil the grates so that you have a clean grilling surface for the fish. Brush the catfish fillets with the Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle with the ground pepper. Place the fish on the preheated grill.

Can you overcook catfish? ›

When you overcook fish, it can become dry, tough, and lack flavor. Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.

Can you overcook fish on grill? ›

Overcooked fish is a sad result of cooking the fish for too long or not sealing in the moisture with a coat of oil before cooking. Avoid overcooking your fish with an adequately hot grill, making sure your fish is nice and dry, and some oil.

What color is fully cooked catfish? ›

Choose a spot where the portion is thickest, and look at the very middle. It should just be on the verge of changing from translucent to white. The portion will retain enough heat to finish cooking the fish, leaving it still tender and juicy.

How can you tell if catfish is still good? ›

Fresh catfish should smell light and clean, not fishy or foul. If it smells off, discard it. In addition, if the flesh has turned from a translucent or white color to gray or yellow, it has likely gone bad. Touch is another good indicator - if the fish feels slimy or excessively sticky, it's time to throw it away.

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