There is nothing like a nice main course of grilled catfish to make everyone’s mouths water during a cookout. Knowing how to cook a catfish fillet perfectly will make you the talk of the town, and these tips are going to help you learn how to grill catfish to perfection.
How to Grill Catfish
Leaving the Skin on Helps Retain Moisture
Catfish is known for being dry when not cooked properly. One way to make catfish taste perfectly juicy is to learn how to grill catfish with the skin on. Leaving the skin on helps the moisture stay inside the fish fillet, and the skin is easier to remove when the catfish is cooked. Simply grill it with the skin on, and then peel it off when the catfish is done cooking. It will come off easily and reveal a juicy fish fillet underneath.
Grill on Citrus Slices
When grilling the catfish, sit it on top of slices of orange or lemon. This will give the fish a touch of flavor, more moisture and it’s a great way to help keep the fish fillets from burning. You can also use foil on the grill rack and sit the slices of fruit on top of that to make sure that it does not get charred.
Marinade Before Hand
Marinade catfish fillets before grilling them and it will instantly increase flavor and moisture. Lemon herb marinades are always a great option for a dash of flavor. When you marinate fish before putting it on the grill, you give it more moisture so it won’t turn out as dry.
Add Moisture While Grilling
While the fish is on the grill, combat drying out by adding moisture while it is on the grill. Some great ideas for this are:
- Drizzle lemon juice over the fish fillets
- Brush on marinade while cooking
- Cook on slices of fruit
- Sprinkle with water
When using one of these methods, it’s important not to dump water or marinade over the fish. This can rinse off seasonings that have been used.
Make Sure It’s Done
When grilling catfish, it’s important to make sure that it is done. The outside might look done before it is actually done and safe to eat. When the fish flakes easily with a fork, it is done.
Flip Like You’re Frying It
It can be tempting to close the grill lid and let the fish cook as though it is baking, but this is an easy way to burn catfish fillets. Instead, you want to leave the lid closed for a minute or two and then flip the fish. This will prevent burning, and it will guarantee that your fish fillets are cooked evenly.
Seasoning is a Must
Seasoning beyond salt and pepper is a must, especially when grilling. You want to use a blend of herbs and spices to bring out the flavor of the fish while adding the perfect kick. Browse through our recipe selection to find the perfect mixture of seasonings.
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