What is the best way to fry catfish so it doesn't get that "dirt" taste?

Question

Sometimes catfish is delicious, but when I have made it that "dirt" flavor is so strong I can't eat it. What's the secret?

Answer 1

Perhaps soak it in some milk for a while and then bread it and fry/bake it. I know, I can't eat it anymore because of that. Just the idea that I might be tasting dirt, kind of turned me off from it. I guess just try another fish if this doesn't work.

Answer 2

The secret is buying farm-raised catfish, rather than fish caugh wild.

Also, take the fillets, and cut out any bit of discoloration. You will see dark streaks here and there, maybe a red or dark dot now and then... cut it out. Those make it taste funky.

ONce your fillet is clean, you can season and bread is as you wish.

Some of the old-timers (who ate wild catfish) swore soaking it in yellow mustard cut the dirt flavor.

Answer 3

Only keep and cook catfish caught in cold water. After it warms in the summer catfish seem to take on that muddy taste.

Answer 4

My grandmother used to soak her catfish in milk, in the fridge, for most of the day before frying. She swore it took that "dirt" taste out of it.

Answer 5

FRIED CATFISH

Catfish, cut into strips
Salt
Pepper
Accent
Cayenne pepper
1 egg, beaten
Self rising flour or cornmeal
Oil for frying

Season catfish with salt, pepper, accent and cayenne pepper (if desired). Dip strips into beaten egg and dredge in flour or cornmeal. Deep fry for 5 to 8 minutes and drain oil off strips.

Answer 6

My uncle's recipe for catfish was to roast the fish on a pine board on a grill over an open fire. When it's done, toss out the fish and eat the board!

Wellll, that's what he always SAID....maybe that's why my aunt never let him do the cooking....

Answer 7

Depends what kind of catfish it is. But just soak it in milk, honey and lemon juice and then coat it with cornmeal and it will just be so good.

Answer 8

if it is RIVER cat, it will taste muddy.
get some freshwater cat.........better flavor.