Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper)

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.

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.

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?

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:

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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