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Whole Catfish Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to whole catfish products
About whole catfish
Catfish is a freshwater fish that spends most of its time on the bottom of the water. Catfish are free of scales and can be anywhere between 2-48 inches in length. You will often find fried catfish on seafood menus, specifically in the south. Part of the reason catfish has become so popular in American culture is that they are an easy food source. They can be found in most lakes, ponds, rivers, and tidal waters.Â
There are three main types of catfish consumed in the U.S.:
- Channel catfish: The Channel catfish is one of the most common as they are well-populated and larger in size, making them easy to cook and serve.
- Blue catfish: Blue catfish have a similar taste to Channel catfish but can be, on average, slightly smaller, making them harder to cook.
- Flathead catfish: Flathead catfish can be easy to distinguish because of their look. People can sometimes tell the difference in their flavor as their diets often consist of other fish.
There are actually over 3,000 different types of catfish, but these are the most commonly consumed. Most types of catfish live in the Americas but can be found all over the world. Most people are unable to notice the minimal taste differences between each type of catfish. However, people who are well-familiar with catfish delicacies may tell the difference between catfish sourced from different areas.
Once you top whole catfish with your favorite coating and sauces, you will find that each type has a similar flavor. Many people also enjoy catfish because it has a few health benefits, including:
- Low-calories.
- Low-fat.
- Loaded with lean proteins and healthy fats.
- Good source of vitamin B12.
- Good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- Filling and easy to cook.
The USDA recommends eight ounces of fish or seafood in your diet each week. Whole catfish can be a delicious way to achieve this. Because they are easily sourced, whole catfish can also be an affordable meal.
Whole catfish cooking tips
Prepared as an entree, wrapped in a taco shell, topped on a pizza, or fried as finger food, the preparation options of whole catfish are endless. Here are a few catfish cooking methods to consider:
- Baked: Many people choose to bake their whole catfish, which is a good way to preserve flavor and maintain health benefits. Before baking, coat it with a flavored breadcrumb and wrap it in foil.
- Pan-fried: Pan-frying catfish can also be delicious. Take your previously prepared fillets and season them with your favorite flavors before dropping them in a pan of oil.
- Blackened: Blackened catfish is a southern staple. It pairs perfectly with the unique taste of catfish.
- Grilled: You can also grill your catfish for an easy dinner with minimal clean-up needed. Coat the whole catfish with your choice of seasoning and grill it to your desired doneness.
Many people choose to keep their catfish whole when cooking, but you don't have to. You can cut it into filets and cook it in pieces. You can also buy your catfish already cut or breaded. A good way to preserve the flavor of whole catfish is to soak it in a bowl of oil or milk. This can remove any fishy taste, giving it a light and crispy texture.
You also may decide to keep or remove the catfish skin before cooking. Some people choose to cook it into the whole catfish. Others may decide to remove it and make a catfish soup out of it.
Whether you decide to fry, blacken, grill, or bake your whole catfish, Instacart can bring you the ingredients you need. Planning a healthy, delicious dinner has never been easier than with fast grocery delivery via Instacart, sometimes available in as little as 2 hours! Many of your favorite local grocery stores carry a large selection of catfish, including farm-raised, head-on, wild-caught, or even pan-size.
Whole Catfish Near Me
Buy your favorite Whole Catfish online with Instacart. Order Whole Catfish from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about whole catfish
The length of cooking time will vary depending on the size of the whole catfish and your taste preferences. A good rule to follow is that all fish should be cooked to a minimum of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish will also no longer be transparent when it is fully cooked. When pan-frying it, the whole catfish is usually done when the oils stop bubbling, and the fish floats to the top of the pan.
There are many ways to prepare whole catfish. You can soak it in your favorite bread crumbs or seasoning sauces. You may also decide to bake or grill it for an easy, last-minute dinner and top it with your favorite oils. You can also get creative and cut your whole catfish into pieces for oven-fried catfish bites or catfish tacos that your family is sure to enjoy.