Fish only needs a quick dip in brine; 15–20 minutes for a few portions or a small side are fine, or up to 30 minutes for a larger side of fish like salmon (any longer and the flesh will begin to cure).
People also ask, can you brine fish overnight?
Submerge fish in brine and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Remove fish, thoroughly rinse and let air-dry in the refrigerator for 1 hour before smoking, grilling, or pan-searing.
Moreover, can you smoke catfish with skin on?
Any type of catfish can be smoked, even whole, skinned smaller ones. But the easiest to work with are fillets from larger cats.
Do you have to brine fish before smoking?
The first and most important step before you smoke fish is to brine it for at least 2 hours and preferably 6 to 10 hours. Brining fish before smoking it prevents it from drying out. Soaking it in a brine made with a combination of water and seasoning will also infuse it with flavor.
Do you have to soak catfish?
Wild-caught catfish is typically soaked in buttermilk for at least an hour to get rid of the muddy flavor.
Do you rinse catfish after soaking in milk?
Be sure to soak the fillets in buttermilk (or whole milk) first, because it really improves the flavor of the fish. Freshwater fish sometimes have a “muddy” flavor, and the milk will neutralize or wash out that undesired after-taste.
How do you dry brine catfish?
How do you make catfish taste good?
How do you prepare catfish for smoking?
Mix together the oregano, lemon peel and salt, pepper, in a small bowl. Lightly coat the fish with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the catfish fillets. Put the catfish on the grill away from the hot coals. Smoke the catfish until it is fully cooked through and golden brown, about for 45 minutes.
Is catfish good for smoking?
Should I brine fish?
Fish and seafood are delicate and can easily dry out if overcooked. Brining will help your fish and seafood stay moist and flavorful. This is especially critical if you’re cooking fish on the grill, since the high temperature, the dry heat can really dry out a piece of fish.
Should you rinse fish after brining?
Rinse. Although you want to use a brine to add extra flavor to your fish, be sure to rinse and dry the fillets before smoking. This will wash away any excess spices that may have clumped together while resting.
What is the best wood to use for smoking catfish?
Since catfish, like most other fish, is light meat, sweeter and milder flavored woods work best for smoking these. Cherry, apple, and alder woods are some common favorites when smoking catfish.
What is the ratio of salt to water in a brine?
The traditional brine is made from a ratio of 1 cup of salt to 1 gallon of water. This is based on table salt. One cup of table salt weighs in at 10 ounces. So we want 10 ounces of salt (by weight) per gallon of water.