Pan-Fried Walleye (Shore Lunch)
In short: Walleye fillets in a crisp cornmeal crust, pan-fried until golden and flaky, served with lemon and fried potatoes, a classic lakeside shore lunch. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 680 kcal
A shore lunch is a Canadian tradition: fish caught that morning, fried over a campfire on the lake shore and eaten with potatoes and onions. Walleye, also called pickerel, is the favorite across Ontario and the Prairies, prized for its mild, sweet, flaky white flesh. The coating is cornmeal and flour, seasoned simply, and the fish cooks in minutes in hot oil. Home cooks can use any firm white fish, such as cod, pike or perch, the same way.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 95°C (200°F) to keep the food warm. Season the fillets with the salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the potatoes and onion with 1/2 teaspoon salt, stirring now and then, for 15 to 18 minutes until tender and golden. Move them to an ovenproof dish and keep warm.
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, paprika and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Put the beaten eggs in another dish.
- Wipe out the skillet, add the 120 ml (1/2 cup) of oil and heat to 175°C (350°F). A pinch of cornmeal should sizzle at once.
- Dip each fillet in the egg, then press it into the cornmeal mixture to coat both sides.
- Fry 3 or 4 fillets at a time for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and the fish flakes easily and reads 63°C (145°F). Drain on a wire rack.
- Serve the fish right away with the potatoes and onions, lemon wedges and tartar sauce if you like.
Tips
- Walleye is delicate, so turn the fillets once with a wide spatula and do not crowd the pan, or the oil temperature will drop.
- Pike, perch, cod, haddock or tilapia can replace the walleye. Thicker fillets need an extra minute per side.
Questions and answers
What is walleye?
Walleye, called pickerel in much of Canada, is a freshwater fish with mild, sweet, flaky white flesh. It is a favorite across Ontario and the Prairies.
Can I bake the fish instead of frying it?
Yes. Set the coated fillets on an oiled rack over a baking sheet, spray with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 10 to 12 minutes.
What is a shore lunch?
It is a meal cooked and eaten on a lake shore during a fishing trip, usually fresh fish with fried potatoes and onions.
How long does it take to make Pan-Fried Walleye (Shore Lunch)?
About 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pan-Fried Walleye (Shore Lunch)?
About 680 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 65 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 680 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
