You can’t talk about seafood without mentioning catfish. Seafood lovers’ favorite, catfish, is a popular choice for many. It has a dense, moist texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Moreover, catfish is less flaky than other white fish once it has been cooked, another reason for its popularity. Catfish is also great at absorbing seasonings, giving a very flavorful taste.
However, catfish is not readily available in grocery stores; in that case, we need something that can substitute for it. We have curated a list of the six best substitutes for catfish; read below to find out more.
Catfish Substitutes
- Cod
An excellent replacement for catfish is cod. One of the most significant benefits of using cod is that it is readily available everywhere. If you have guests coming over, your dinner plans won’t be hampered because of the unavailability of this fish.
Cod has a similar taste and texture to catfish and has many health benefits. It is rich in niacin, iodine, choline, vitamin B12, phosphorus, etc. It has lean meat, which gives a lovely flavor. Lastly, there are no technicalities to worry about when cooking this fish, and it is super easy to cook!
- Basa
Basa is very similar to catfish because the species are closely related. This relationship gives basa a taste and texture that mirrors that of catfish. Furthermore, basa is a rich source of healthy fatty acids like omega-3 and high-quality protein.
The richness of healthy macromolecules has made it an essential seafood in the international market. Basa is usually cheap and easily available. So you can substitute catfish for basa in your recipes.
- Flounder
Flounder is another excellent substitute for catfish. In fact, they should be a regular part of your diet. This kind of fish has a very low calorie and fat count and is very high in proteins. It has a mild taste, slightly on the side of sweet.
Flounder has a delicate and flaky texture, so it is better suited for your crispier recipes. Despite being a fatty fish, it does not taste too fishy, which is it will make a good substitute for catfish.
- Tilapia
We know that one of the best sources of proteins in nature is fish, and Tilapia is no exception. It is the ideal source of minerals and vitamins like niacin, choline, and Vitamin D. It also has a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are very vital for your body to function the right way.
It tastes fantastic and has a very similar taste to catfish. However, it is flakier than catfish, but at the same time, it compensates for it by taking less time to cook. Tilapia also makes for an outstanding component in a weight-loss diet.
- Carp
Carp is a freshwater fish, and it is recommended not to eat it raw (as in sushi, etc.). When eating carp, it should be cooked appropriately such that the flesh is visibly white and flaky. It will make for a perfect substitute for catfish because of its similar taste and texture.
This fish also has many health benefits and is especially good for pregnant women. It has nutrients that are great for your body and also helps to keep diseases at bay. The best thing about carp is that its meat is thick and fatty – so it seasons and cooks very healthy – and it has very few bones.
- Perch
Perch, like catfish, are freshwater fish and can easily live in hot and cold water, which is why they are found in many areas all over the world. Perch also has a sweet and mild flavor, which is why it has made it here on this catfish substitutes list.
The texture of this fish is firm and crumbly. It is one of the most popular types of seafood and is considered a very good-tasting dish, which is why it is always in demand everywhere. Perch is a fish that goes well with a variety of dishes, so you can prepare it whenever you want.
- Salmon
Perhaps the most well-known fish is salmon. It can make for a good substitute for catfish. It has a subtle, mild taste that is somewhat similar to catfish’s, yet it retains its distinctness. It has a rich, buttery flavor that tastes amazing when cooked.
The fat content in salmon enables it to be seasoned really well. It has a tender texture and is a fatty fish that makes a good combo.
- Haddock
Haddock is a fish that tastes a bit meat-like. So if you have guests coming over that aren’t particularly fond of seafood, haddock, with its unique texture, can be a good choice. Like catfish, it has a mild and sweet flavor.
It is a lean, white fish with low oil levels, so it is a very healthy option as well. Another benefit of using haddock as a substitute for catfish is that it does not have an overpowering fishy smell. All these reasons make it an ideal alternative to catfish.
- Green Striped Bass
The green-striped bass has a similar appearance to catfish but a taste that varies a bit. If your recipe does not require you to get the catfish flavor spot on, you can use the green striped bass.
Don’t worry, though; you will not be compromising on quality. The green striped bass has a lovely flavor: it is sweet and buttery.
The reason why we recommend using the green striped bass in place of catfish is that along with having a rich taste, it does not have that characteristic “seafood smell” that is pungent and ruins food for you. It tastes and smells fine, so your recipes will stand out even without catfish.
The Bottom Line
Catfish is popular seafood all over the world because of its sweet and mild flavor and moist, flaky texture. However, if you are unable to find catfish, these fishes listed above can make for excellent replacements.