Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A succulent grilled catfish fillet inspired by the Mississippi River region, topped with a fragrant lemon-garlic herb butter that enhances the natural flavors. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets, unsalted butter, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush 4 catfish fillets with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and mix in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: Place the catfish fillets on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the fish flakes easily with a fork and grill marks appear.
  4. Step 4: Remove the fillets from the grill and immediately spoon the lemon-garlic herb butter over the hot fish, allowing it to melt and infuse the fillets with flavor before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Mississippi River Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter?

American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes