Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (2024)

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Pan Seared Walleye is just one easy method for cooking pretty much any type of fish. The type of fish used doesn't have to be walleye. It can work with just about any type of white fish such as cod or tilapia.

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (1)

Lent starts today and you're probably looking for some easy fish or seafood dinners to cook. You've come to the right place! There are a million different ways to cook fish depending on what type of season it is right now. You can air fry walleye, bake it in the oven, or even grill it. I just think it's easier to pan fry walleye.

Try this walleye recipe with some Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes or my Aunt Carol's Potato salad in the Summer.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Optional Ingredients
  • How to make Pan Seared Walleye
  • What can I serve this recipe?
  • Recipe FAQS
  • What is walleye?
  • Storage Tips
  • More Seafood Recipes to Try:
  • Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

One of my favorite type of freshwater fish is walleye. You can find it all over menus here in the Midwest. If you order a fish sandwich the type of fish used is walleye. At Mezzaluna they have Panko Walleye Tacos, at the Toasted Frog they have Walleye Piccata, etc. Walleye is so tasty just pan fried with some butter and a little tarter sauce.

When I made this easy pan-seared walleye, I just used some good old lemon pepper seasoning and butter and garnished it with some fresh parsley. Had broccoli on the side and thought dangit, I wish I had made some polenta to go along with this. Maybe another night.

Serve this walleye with some easy 3 Ingredient Tartar Sauce!

Ingredients Needed

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (2)

Walleye fillets, removing skin is optional

Butter or olive oil

Lemon pepper seasoning (or seasoning of choice)

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Optional Ingredients

Dredge the walleye in a flour and crushed cracker mixture with some onion powder and garlic powder.

Blackened seasoning, cajun, garlic butter, Chinese 5 spice, whatever you like pretty much.

How to make Pan Seared Walleye

Step 1: Heat a skillet to medium heat and add the oil or butter to the pan.

Step 2: Season the walleye filets generously with lemon pepper seasoning or your favorite seasoning.

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (3)

Step 3: Place the fish right over the melted butter.

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (4)

Step 4: Then put a pan over the top of the fish. This creates steam in the inside of the pan.

Step 5: Cook the fish 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the fish reaches a temperature of 145 degrees. The walleye will turn white when it is done cooking.

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (5)

If you'd like to see a video on how to cook walleye this is a pretty good one.

What can I serve this recipe?

  • Salad:Make a homemade Ceasar salad from the store that's in a bag. I won't tell anyone. 😉
  • Starches: Serve it with some Dairy Free Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or Twice Baked Potatoes.
  • Vegetables:Smoked potatoes in foil or smoked asparagus is a great side dish to have with salmon.
  • Have a seafood night and make some Garlicky Shrimp Alfredo.
  • Some Air Fryer Garlic Bread would also be good as a side.

Recipe FAQS

What is walleye?

What is walleye?

Walleye is a fresh water fish usually found in the Northern part of the US and Canada. In the Summer time in the Midwest, there are fishing competitions to see who can catch the largest walleye. They are pretty popular to catch here next to Northerns and they taste great. If you ever come to the Midwest you will see walleye on the menu. Usually as fish sandwiches or pan-seared.

Can you cook walleye in an air fryer?

Place the walleye fillet in an air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 350 and the timer for 8 to 10 minutes. You can even bread it if you want to.

Storage Tips

Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. Thetype of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer or refrigerator.

More Seafood Recipes to Try:

  • Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Salmon, Asparagus, and Potatoes
  • Spicy Honey Soy Glazed Salmon
  • Air Fryer - Honey Walnut Shrimp

If you tried this Pan Seared Walleye Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

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Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (9)

Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper)

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • Total Time: 4-5 min
  • Yield: 2 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Pan Seared Wall-Eye is just one easy method for cooking pretty much any type of fish. The type of fish used, doesn't have to be walleye. It can work with just about any type of white fish such as cod or tilapia.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 4 to 6 oz walleye fillets , removing skin is optional
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 tsp of lemon pepper seasoning (or seasoning of choice)

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet to medium heat and add the oil or butter to the pan.
  2. Season the walleye filets generously with lemon pepper seasoning.
  3. Place the fish right over the melted butter.
  4. Then put a pan over the top of the fish. This creates steam in the inside of the pan.
  5. Cook the fish 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the fish reaches a temperature of 145 degrees. The walleye will turn white when it is done cooking.

Notes

My WW Personal Points: 8 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer or refrigerator.

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 4-5 min
  • Category: Medium
  • Method: Pan Sear
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 6oz fillet
  • Calories: 262
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 792mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 0g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 32g
Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper) - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

Do you take the skin off walleye before frying? ›

At-Home Prep. Once you get the fish home, decide if you want to remove the skin or not. Walleye can be eaten either way, but it's generally recommended to remove the skin if you're going to fry it. Next, you should remove the innards from the belly by running a knife through the belly from the anus to the neck.

What should the internal temperature of cooked walleye be? ›

Some walleye fillets are smaller. If you are in this boat, it can impact cooking time. Remember that for white fish, the safe cooking temp is 145° Fahrenheit. So, no matter the walleye size, 145° Fahrenheit is what you need to hit.

What is the best oil to fry walleye in? ›

The best oil for frying walleye or other fish is one with a high smoke point, so canola, grapeseed, peanut, rice bran, safflower or avocado. These oils can go to 400°F without burning. Keep your oil as close to 350°F as you can. The single most common problem when frying fish is oil that's too cool.

Why do you soak walleye in milk? ›

It may sound bizarre, but, according to Epicurious, an effective way to combat fishiness is by soaking the protein in milk prior to cooking.

Do you soak walleye before cooking? ›

I like to soak mine over night in water & then for a couple of hours in milk. Dip in egg wash & shake in a equal parts of flour & corn meal seasoned (salt & pepper) to taste & then deep fry.

What is the white stuff that comes out of walleye? ›

If a white milky substance comes out that is the sperm and it is a male. If eggs flow freely it is a ripe female, if a clear liquid comes out it is a female that has already dropped her eggs and she is spent, if nothing comes out it is a female not ready to drop her eggs yet and the fish is green.

How long does it take to fry fish in a frying pan? ›

Pan-Fry the Fish

The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when adding the fish to the pan. Fry the fish until golden on the bottom. For all those wondering, "How long does fish take to fry?": Pan-frying the average fillet takes about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

How can you tell if fish is cooked without a thermometer? ›

Flake easily with a fork.

When fish is finished cooking, it will easily flake apart with a fork (more on that next) without any pushing or tugging. The fish will firm up as it cooks.

Do walleye get tapeworms? ›

Commonly Infected Wildlife

Northern pike, walleye, perch, and trout are commonly affected, but other species can also be infected.

How long to soak walleye in salt water? ›

Directions
  1. To brine fish, you will need a large nonmetallic bowl, 2-quarts warm water, 3/4 cup water salt, and 3/4 cup sugar.
  2. Dissolve salt and sugar in a bowl of water. ...
  3. Submerge fish in brine and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Do you take skin off fish before frying? ›

Olive oil or butter are both great choices for pan frying rockfish. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the fillets in the skillet, skin side down if they have skin. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fillets are golden brown and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

References

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