Catfish, a beloved comfort food, gets a keto-friendly makeover in these recipes. By replacing traditional breading with flavorful spice blends and almond flour, you can enjoy this tender, flaky fish while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle. These recipes are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, offering a taste of Southern comfort without the guilt.
Blackened Catfish: A Spicy and Flavorful Delight
This blackened catfish recipe marries Southern flavors with a ketogenic approach. Instead of cornmeal breading, the catfish is coated in a delicious blackened seasoning that’s so good, you won’t even care that it’s low-carb! It’s perfectly spicy, flaky, flavorful, filling, and damn good. You don’t even need to be low-carb to enjoy it. It can be served atop cauliflower (or regular) rice, a bed of fresh greens, or with your favorite side dish.
Ingredients
Blackened Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried celery
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh lime juice
- Catfish fillets
Salsa
- Tomato
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
- Cucumber
Instructions
- Make the Blackened Seasoning: Combine the sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, dried celery, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small dish and whisk until well mixed.
- Prepare the Catfish: Squeeze fresh lime juice onto catfish fillets, then coat them in the seasoning mix on both sides, ensuring an even coat.
- Cook the Catfish: Add the olive oil to a cast iron skillet and allow to heat over medium-high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes. Cook the fillets for 4-5 minutes per side, until the fish is slightly flaky to the touch (with a fork).
- Make the Salsa: In a small glass bowl, combine the tomato, cilantro, jalapeno, and cucumber until well combined.
- Serve: Top the cooked catfish with the salsa and add a squeeze of lime juice to finish (optional).
Keto Fried Fish: Crispy and Delicious
This keto fried fish recipe uses almond flour to create a crispy coating, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fried fish. Cooked in avocado oil, this dish is both delicious and low in carbs.
Ingredients
- Fish fillets
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Dried thyme
- Almond flour (superfine)
- Avocado oil
- Egg
Instructions
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
- Coat the Fish: Dip each fish fillet into the egg mixture. Place the fillet on a cutting board and sprinkle both sides with almond flour, pressing with your hands to help the coating adhere.
- Cook the Fish: Pour avocado oil into a large nonstick frying pan, enough to reach about ½ inch high. Heat over medium-high heat until hot, 3-5 minutes. Carefully place the fish fillets in the pan (work in batches if necessary). Cook until their bottom is golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes. Flip the fish, lower the heat to medium, and cook until crisp and cooked through, about 3-4 more minutes.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Tips for Keto Fried Fish
- Use a Nonstick Skillet: This prevents the fish from sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Sprinkle Almond Flour: It's better to sprinkle the fish pieces with almond flour than to dredge them. When dredging, the almond flour that remains in the bowl becomes soggy and sticky.
- Baking Option: If you prefer to bake the fish, arrange the coated fillets on a greased parchment-lined baking sheet (use high-temperature parchment), liberally spray them with oil, and bake until crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. In a preheated oven at 400°F, this takes about 10 minutes per side. Spray them again after flipping.
- Storage: You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them uncovered in a 350°F oven.
Cajun Catfish: A Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal
This Cajun Catfish recipe is a quick and easy weeknight option that takes only 20 minutes to whip up from scratch. The fatty, flavorful catfish pairs perfectly with Cajun spices, making it a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 catfish fillets (8 ounces each)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Prepare Spice Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the canola oil, garlic salt, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and black pepper.
- Season Catfish: Brush the spice mixture over both sides of each fillet evenly, using all of the mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 10-13 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
These keto catfish recipes can be served with a variety of low-carb side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal:
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- Cauliflower Rice: A versatile and low-carb alternative to traditional rice.
- Fresh Greens: A bed of mixed greens provides a refreshing and healthy base for the catfish.
- Jicama Fries or Zucchini Fries: These make a great substitute for traditional French fries.
- Roasted Broccoli: Seasoned and roasted broccoli florets add a nutritious and flavorful side dish.
- Coleslaw: A classic Southern side dish that complements the flavors of the catfish.
The Cultural Significance of Catfish
In many Black families, fish fries are a cherished tradition held for various occasions, including birthdays, graduations, family reunions, cookouts, and holidays such as Juneteenth. Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the date when Union soldiers reached Texas to inform enslaved Black people that the Emancipation Proclamation had been passed. This dish is near and dear to the heart for a multitude of reasons. Everything about it reminds me of home, family, and comfort.
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