Traeger Smoked Catfish with Dry Rub

Traeger smoked catfish with dry rub is amazing. This is how to cook catfish healthy without oil keeping it moist, tender with tons of flavor. Make on your pellet grill or as an electric smoker recipe during the summertime or year round for dinner.

How do You Smoke Fish?

Smoked fish is a delicious and flavorful preparation that involves curing and then smoking to infuse it with a smoky aroma and taste. It is a popular method of how to preserve fish and enhance its flavor. Different types that are great are smoked salmon, trout, mackerel, haddock, and more. Here’s how smoke fish in the recipe card below.

There are a number of different ways to prepare this white fish. From grilling, to baking, and pan-searing and now smoking they are all delish. In the southern United States, fried catfish is a classic dish often served with Jiffy hushpuppies and/or coleslaw.

How to Smoke Catfish

We love applewood for fish in general. For fillets like this it takes a bit longer than let’s say smoked scallops which are more bite size. You could easily make both and just stick these on later on so they are done at the same time.

Ingredients

• 4 catfish fillets
• Garlic powder
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• Paprika
• 1 tsp thyme
• Celery seeds
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Does catfish smoke well?

Yes, if you season it well and use Hickory pellets. There are a few simple ideas below you can use or choose one of our Dry Rub Recipes for Meat here if you want a stronger flavor. Another thing you can do is let it sit on the top for 30 minutes to enhance the intensity before cooking. Easy way to make it stronger.

We have made this with a very light breading vs. this blackened rub with our air fryer catfish recipe. Wouldn’t work really well this way on a grate but if you wanted to cook inside I would highly recommend this option.

How Long do you Smoke Fish?

Different types of fish can have varying smoking times. For example, salmon and trout are commonly smoked fish and may take 1 to 3 hours, while thinner fish like mackerel or herring may require less time. The biggest differentiation is how thick your pieces are, whether they are filets or whole. A great healthy option if you’re having a Fish Fry.

How to Cook Catfish on a Traeger

Any brand will do, Green Mountain is another popular brand of machine nowadays. Same goes for when you are baking or if you were to Fry a Whole Fish. Smaller varieties of course will be quicker than others to get the center flaky and to the proper internal temp.

• Fill smoker with hardwood BBQ pellets. You always want to preheat your smoker before adding food so it is at a constant temperature the whole time.
• Mix together spices in a dish. Spread olive oil onto catfish fillets.
• Season catfish fillets. Set aside.
• Prepare smoker by placing 2-3 long sheets of aluminum foil along the bottom of the smoker element, underneath the rack, for easy cleanup.
• Brush grill rack clean. Set smoker to smoke.
• Place filets directly onto grates with skin side down.
• Set smoker to 350 degrees and cook for 15 minutes. OR 250 degrees for 45 minutes for a smokier flavor.

The recommended internal temperature for smoked fish is typically around 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the fish to ensure it’s fully cooked. We like to make Fried Cornbread cakes on the side with this.