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.
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.
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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! Another great method for cooking walleye is by using an air fryer. Try Crispy Air Fryer Walleye.
Ingredients Needed
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.
Step 3: Place the fish right over the melted butter.
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.
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?
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.
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. 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.
More Seafood Recipes to Try:
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Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper)
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Medium
- Method: Pan Sear
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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
- Heat a skillet to medium heat and add the oil or butter to the pan.
- Season the walleye filets generously with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Place the fish right over the melted butter.
- Then put a pan over the top of the fish. This creates steam in the inside of the pan.
- 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.
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
Lisa says
I'm from MN and this recipe is excellent and pretty healthy if made with canola oil!
Jenna says
Glad you liked it!
Phyllis Dable says
best recipe ever, I left mine on a little too long. but they were still great. thank you
Jenna says
Cover the skillet