With Walleye, Less is More

Pan seared walleye is a freshwater fish that has a very delicate and mild flavor. It doesn’t need a bunch of seasonings other than salt and pepper, because you don’t want to cover up the flavor of the fish.

This preparation of walleye is quick easy to cook. Season, sear, flip and plate in less than 10 minutes.

Optionally you could dredge it in flour, shake it off, and then cook it, but that’s a personal preference. See below for that option.

Where are the best places to catch Walleye?

Here’s a link to some of the best places to catch the wonderful and delicious Walleye, but to be honest, I catch most of mine at Costco – where they are cleaned, scaled, filleted and ready to cook. 😉

For my fellow Missourians, here’s a link for fishing areas in Missouri.

How to Cook Walleye

Option 1: Without dredging in flour

Season fish with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on both sides.

Heat large skillet on medium high.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Once oil is hot, place walleye fillets skin side down and don’t move them for 3-4 minutes. You can see the fish turning opaque from the bottom up. Flip the walleye and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Careful not to overcook or they will fall apart.

Two long pink fish fillets laying in a grey skillet.

Goes great with our Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese, and some quick microwaved broccoli.

Pan Seared Walleye, skin side up on a white plate with broccoli and macaroni and cheese. There's a nutcracker in the foreground who looks like a chef.

Option 2: With a quick dredge in some flour

Cook same as option 1, but with a bit more oil or butter in the pan.

Two walleye fillets lightly dredged in flour.

Two long pink fish fillets that were dredge in flour laying in a grey skillet. There's a nutcracker in the foreground who looks like a chef.

Served this time with a Caesar Salad that includes our Homemade Croutons.

One crispy pan seared walleye fillet on a white plate with a Caesar salad.

Light & Healthy Pan Seared Walleye

Stacey Mincoff

Walleye is a delicious mild white fish that's easy to prepare in under 10 minutes, it's gluten-free and one of our favorites weekday meals.

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Prep Time 3

Cook Time 6

Total Time 9

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings Servings

Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients

1 Pound Walleye about 2 fillets
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or butter
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Season fish with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on both sides.
Heat large skillet on medium high.
Drizzle with olive oil (or melt butter in the pan)
Once oil or butter is hot, place walleye fillets skin side down and don’t move them for 3-4 minutes. You can see the fish turning opaque from the bottom up. Flip the walleye and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Careful not to overcook or they will fall apart.

Notes

If you prefer to dredge in flour, season first, then dredge in flour and shake off. You’ll need a bit more oil or butter in the pan, then follow the same cooking method as above. This will add more calories and it will no longer be gluten-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalProtein: 46gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 263mgPotassium: 685mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Easy, Fish, Gluten Free, Lent, seafood, Walleye

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Light & Healthy Pan Seared Walleye

With Walleye, Less is More

Where are the best places to catch Walleye?