Quick & Tasty Herb-Baked Catfish Recipe Everyone Will Love

Baked catfish with herbs revolutionizes an ordinary seafood dish into a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds.

These delicate fillets absorb aromatic seasonings, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Southern cuisine celebrates this freshwater fish, known for its mild and smooth texture.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can elevate a weeknight meal into something truly special.

Tender and flaky, these herb-infused fillets promise a delightful dining experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Crisp herbs and carefully selected seasonings turn an everyday protein into a memorable masterpiece.

Eager food enthusiasts will love mastering this straightforward yet impressive technique.

Baked Catfish with Herbs That Smells Amazing

• Herb-Packed Flavor Explosion: The combination of parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, and paprika creates a vibrant, aromatic coating that transforms simple catfish into a gourmet-style dish bursting with Mediterranean-inspired taste.
• Effortless Gourmet Cooking: This recipe requires minimal prep time and cooking skills, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques or hours in the kitchen.
• Healthy and Light Meal Option: Baking instead of frying keeps the catfish tender and low-fat, while the herb blend adds nutritional value and eliminates heavy, greasy textures typical of traditional fish preparations.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: From start to finish, this dish takes just 30 minutes, including prep and cooking time, offering a fast, nutritious solution for families seeking delicious meals without long kitchen commitments.

Ingredients for Herb-Rubbed Baked Catfish

• Catfish Fillets: Fresh, mild-flavored fish that works perfectly with herb seasoning, best when firm and white without any discoloration.

• Fresh Parsley, Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano, Dried Basil: Aromatic herbs that provide layers of flavor and depth to the fish, ensuring a fresh and earthy taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder: Classic spices that enhance the fish's natural taste, bringing warmth and complexity to the dish.

• Lemon Juice, Melted Butter: Bright citrus juice adds tanginess while melted butter provides richness and helps create a golden, tender surface.

• Non-stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release of fish from baking surface and prevents sticking during cooking.

How to Bake Catfish with a Herbal Blend

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up while you prep the star of the show.

Step 2: Craft the Herb Blend

• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Paprika
• Dried thyme
• Oregano
• Basil
• Black pepper

Blend these ingredients until they’re dancing together in perfect harmony.

Step 3: Dress the Catfish

Grab a baking pan and give it a quick spray of non-stick cooking magic. Lay out your catfish fillets like sunbathers on a beach. Sprinkle the herb mixture generously over both sides, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 4: Whip Up the Flavor Drizzle

• Melted butter
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic powder

Stir until these ingredients become best friends.

Step 5: Shower with Flavor

Drizzle your buttery mixture over the herb-coated catfish. Let it rain flavor!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Let it bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the fish flakes easily with a fork- it should practically melt in your mouth.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece and plate it up with your favorite sides. This herb-packed catfish is about to become the talk of the dinner table!

Flavor Tips for Herb Catfish Recipes

• Select Fresh Catfish: Choose firm, bright-colored fillets without any strong fishy odor for the best taste and texture.
• Dry Before Seasoning: Pat the catfish fillets completely dry with paper towels to help the herbs stick better and ensure crispy edges.
• Don't Overcook: Watch the fish carefully, as catfish cooks quickly and can become dry if baked too long; it's done when it easily flakes with a fork.
• Customize Herb Blend: Experiment with fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant and intense flavor profile.
• Perfect Butter Drizzle: Warm the butter gently to prevent burning and ensure an even, smooth coating over the fish.

Store and Heat Herb Catfish the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover catfish in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to preserve for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Reheat: Warm gently in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain the herb-infused moisture of the delicate fish.

What Pairs Nicely with Baked Herb Catfish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the herb-infused catfish with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, which cuts through the fish's richness and enhances the fresh herb flavors.
• Match with Zesty Citrus Salad: Create a light side of mixed greens with orange segments, lemon vinaigrette, and fresh herbs that mirror the dish's herbal notes and brighten the overall meal.
• Serve with Roasted Garlic Potatoes: Prepare golden-brown roasted potatoes seasoned with garlic and herbs to echo the catfish's flavor profile and provide a hearty accompaniment that balances the delicate fish.
• Drink Craft Beer Pairing: Select a light wheat beer or citrus-infused pale ale that will refresh the palate and complement the herb and lemon undertones of the baked catfish.

Mix Up the Herbs in Your Catfish Dinner

• Cajun Spice Punch: Replace the herb mix with a bold Cajun seasoning blend, adding cayenne pepper and smoked paprika for a zesty southern-style kick.
• Mediterranean Olive Oil Version: Swap butter for extra virgin olive oil, incorporate chopped kalamata olives, and add fresh dill and lemon zest for a Greek-inspired profile.
• Coconut Curry Conversion: Create an Asian-inspired variation by mixing coconut milk with curry powder, replacing the herb mix with turmeric, ginger, and green onions for a tropical flavor experience.
• Blackened Butter Approach: Use a cast-iron skillet to create a blackened crust, coat the catfish in Creole seasoning, and finish with brown butter and fresh parsley for a rich, smoky taste.

Baked Catfish with Herbs Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Herb-Crusted Catfish emerges as a Southern comfort classic, celebrating fresh Gulf Coast flavors with a crisp, aromatic coating. Home cooks savor this simple yet elegant dish that brings zesty herb notes and delicate fish together on one delightful plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) catfish fillets (4 fillets, approximately 6 ounces/170 grams each)

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Liquid and Cooking Aids:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Non-stick cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace by setting the oven temperature precisely to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an ideal environment for herb-infused fish preparation.
2. Craft a vibrant herbal medley by thoroughly blending parsley, salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel, creating a harmonious seasoning profile.
3. Position catfish fillets onto a lightly greased baking pan, meticulously coating each side with the aromatic herb fusion, guaranteeing comprehensive flavor penetration.
4. Construct a luxurious flavor enhancer by whisking together melted butter, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and garlic powder until seamlessly integrated.
5. Generously cascade the buttery lemon-garlic elixir across the herb-dressed fillets, allowing the liquid to permeate and elevate the fish’s natural essence.
6. Transfer the pan into the preheated oven, allowing the catfish to roast uncovered for approximately 15-20 minutes, monitoring until the fish effortlessly separates with gentle fork pressure.
7. Elegantly plate the golden-hued, herb-encrusted catfish alongside complementary accompaniments, presenting a visually enticing and flavor-rich culinary creation ready to be savored.

Notes

• Customize the herb blend by adjusting spice levels or experimenting with fresh versus dried herbs to match your taste preferences.
• Leftover fillets store beautifully in an airtight container for 2-3 days, making this recipe perfect for meal prep or quick next-day lunches.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 582 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg