Fantastic Walleye Recipes

Ah, the joys of being a homesteader! From tending to the garden to enjoying the fruits of our labor, there's never a dull moment. And when it comes to cooking up a delicious meal, what could be better than incorporating the prized catch of a fishing adventure? Today, we'll dive into the world of walleye, a freshwater favorite, and explore ten mouthwatering recipes that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. So grab your fishing gear, fire up the stove, and let's get cooking!

Classic Pan-Fried Walleye

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets

- ½ cup all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 3 tablespoons butter

- Lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions:

- In a shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, salt, and pepper.

- Dredge the walleye fillets in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted.

- Cook the fillets for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

- Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Grilled Walleye with Herb Butter

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets

- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and dill)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.

- Spread the herb butter evenly over both sides of the walleye fillets.

- Grill the fillets for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred.

- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the grilled walleye and serve hot.

Baked Walleye with Parmesan Crust

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets

- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

- 2 tablespoons melted butter

- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.

- In a bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

- Place the walleye fillets in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the Parmesan mixture evenly over the top.

- Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the crust is golden brown.

- Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy the crunchy, flavorful crust!

Walleye Tacos with Spicy Slaw

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets

- 8 small tortillas - 2 cups shredded cabbage

- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

- 1 tablespoon lime juice

- 1 teaspoon honey

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

- Season the walleye fillets with salt and pepper and grill or pan-fry them until cooked through.

- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, jalapeño slices, and chopped cilantro.

- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and honey until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

- Once the walleye fillets are cooked, flake them into bite-sized pieces.

- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or over an open flame until pliable.

- Assemble the tacos by layering the flaked walleye on the tortillas, topping it with the spicy slaw, and drizzling the creamy dressing over the top.

- Serve the tacos with a squeeze of lime juice and enjoy the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Walleye Chowder

Ingredients:

- 2 walleye fillets, cubed

- 4 slices bacon, chopped

- 1 onion, diced

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- 2 cups diced potatoes

- 1 cup corn kernels

- 2 cups fish or vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream

- 1 bay leaf

- 1 teaspoon dried thyme

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the pot.

- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until softened.

- Add the potatoes, corn, fish or vegetable broth, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

- Stir in the cubed walleye fillets and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.

- Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for a few more minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

- Remove the bay leaf and serve the chowder hot, garnished with crispy bacon bits and fresh parsley.

Walleye Ceviche

Ingredients:

- 1 pound walleye fillets, thinly sliced

- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

- 1 red onion, thinly sliced

- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

- 1 tomato, diced

- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

- In a shallow dish, place the walleye slices and cover them with lime juice. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the fish turns opaque and "cooked" by the acid.

- Drain the excess lime juice from the fish and transfer it to a serving bowl.

- Add sliced red onion, minced jalapeño pepper, diced tomato, and chopped cilantro to the bowl. Gently toss to combine.

- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

- Serve the refreshing walleye ceviche with tortilla chips for a zesty appetizer or light lunch.

Walleye Stir-Fry with Vegetables

Ingredients:

- 2 walleye fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

- 1 tablespoon sesame oil

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 1 red bell pepper, sliced

- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

- 1 cup snap peas

- 1 carrot, julienned

- 2 green onions, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon grated ginger

- Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.

- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.

- Add the walleye pieces and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they start to turn opaque. Remove the fish from the pan and set aside.

- In the same pan, add the sliced bell peppers, snap peas, julienned carrot, chopped green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

- Return the cooked walleye to the pan and pour the sauce mixture over the fish and vegetables. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes to coat everything evenly and heat through.

- Serve the flavorful walleye stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles for a satisfying and healthy meal.

Walleye Sliders with Tangy Tartar Sauce

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets

- 4 small slider buns

- Lettuce leaves

- Sliced tomatoes

- Sliced red onions

For the tartar sauce:

- ½ cup mayonnaise

- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion

- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

- Preheat a grill or skillet over medium heat.

- Season the walleye fillets with salt and pepper.

- Grill or pan-fry the fillets for about 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through.

- While the walleye is cooking, prepare the tartar sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, chopped red onion, fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.

- Assemble the sliders by placing a cooked walleye fillet on each bun. Top with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and a dollop of tangy tartar sauce.

- Serve these mini delights as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or enjoy them as a light meal.

Walleye Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:

- 2 walleye fillets, cooked and flaked

- 8 ounces pasta of your choice

- ½ cup homemade or store-bought pesto sauce

- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

- ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

- Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

- In a large bowl, combine the cooked walleye fillets, cooked pasta, pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.

- Serve the flavorful walleye pesto pasta warm, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Enjoy the delightful combination of the herby pesto, tender walleye, and al dente pasta.

Walleye Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

- 4 walleye fillets, grilled or pan-fried

- 8 small flour tortillas

- 1 ripe mango, diced

- 1 small red onion, diced

- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

- 2 tablespoons lime juice

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

- Flake the grilled or pan-fried walleye fillets into bite-sized pieces.

- In a bowl, combine diced mango, red onion, minced jalapeño pepper, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to make the mango salsa.

- Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or over an open flame until pliable.

- To assemble the tacos, place a generous amount of flaked walleye onto each tortilla.

- Top with a spoonful of the mango salsa.

- Optional: Add additional toppings like shredded lettuce, diced avocado, or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.

- Fold the tortillas in half and serve the delicious walleye fish tacos immediately.

Reeling in Flavor

There you have it, fellow homesteaders—ten delectable ways to cook walleye that are sure to make your taste buds sing. Whether you prefer the classic pan-fried version, a zesty ceviche, or the flavorful walleye tacos with mango salsa, these recipes showcase the versatility and mouthwatering qualities of this freshwater delight. So go ahead and reel in the flavors of the great outdoors right into your kitchen. Happy cooking, and enjoy the scrumptious results of your fishing adventures!