What Does Walleye Taste Like?
What does walleye taste like? If you are here for that information, you should tale a close look at this blog post as I have detailed everything here about walleye, how it tastes like and what type of recipe you can make with it.
Walleye is part of the perch family that is found in lakes and streams in the United States and Canada. It is increasingly making its presence felt in menus at top hotels and restaurants all over the world as a premium menu item. But what does walleye taste like? Should you buy it or are the more commonly-used varieties such as salmon and red snapper better choices? Let’s take a look and do a reality check.
So, what does walleye taste like?
Let me first make this clear. Walleye is a freshwater fish and it is known under a variety of names. Depending on the region you’re in, the locals have a term for the fish. In Canada the fish could be known as pickerel, even although they’re not pickerels.
It’s a close cousin of the pikeperch, and has its appearance, but the two species are distinct in their color. Pikeperch is silvery in the belly, and then turns green as it approaches those dorsal fins. Walleyes however have golden scales, and rounder bellies.
Both species feature tender white meat that is a sought-after for its food value. Additionally, they are grown in controlled conditions to meet the growing demand.
What’s the flavor of Walleye?
Walleye is an aquatic fish caught in freshwater that is renowned for its distinctive taste. Fine-flaked fish fillets have an incredibly sweet, subtle flavor with a low level of fishiness. The texture is firm but soft with a creamy mouthfeel.
There are no bones in it and this will likely be a popular choice for most people. Each fillet is hefty and provides a generous portion. The portion, cooked correctly, is delicious and moist inside. It is a vibrant pink when raw. Walleye transforms into white when cooked.
Walleye is beautiful and delicious to eat.
Interesting facts
Other names that are commonly used for the walleye include dory freshwater perch or pickerel, pike-perch, yellow walleye yellow pike, or the walleye pike.
Walleye is a fish that’s named after their cat-like eyes. They are extremely reflective.
While they are found in Canada as well as the U.S., the only commercial fisheries are found in Canada because of concerns about excessive fishing.
The standard size of walleyes in restaurants is up 5-pounds, these fish are able to reach 20 pounds in wild.
The best substitutes for walleye
When your recipes calls for walleye but you’re not able to get the fish alternative, you can consider snapper, yellow perch, or grouper. While they’re not exactly identical, they’re excellent alternatives to walleye. Be aware that they are seawater fish and therefore have a distinct taste of sea. Walleye is freshwater and is blander in flavor.
Comparing walleye with other common fish
In the case of certain fish listed in the table below There isn’t much of an amount of variation. We’ve compared their habitats the taste and texture to provide rapid comparison.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 68.9
- Protein 14.6g
- Total fat 0.7g
- Saturated Fat 0.1g
- Cholesterol 60.4mg
- Sodium 84.1mg
- Omega 3 329mg
Health Benefits of Eating Walleye
Many people choose tuna, salmon, or trout as their preferred fish.
But what about walleye? It has been found to contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than salmon and Sardines.
It’s low in calories, and is high in fat and protein. It’s also a good source of vitamins such as Vitamin B-12 A, E, and as well as selenium as an antioxidant, which boosts immunity against cancer and heart disease.
Walleye typically live close to shorelines, therefore they aren’t exposed to the same degree of pollution as deepwater habitats, or in open waters where the larger species of fish reside.
Selenium and vitamin D in the walleye may lessen the harmful effects from mercury poisoning.
Tips to help you purchase the highest quality fish
Do not use your eyes to determine freshness. For most fish, the eyes are a great method to determine whether the fish is fresh. Walleye is unique because it has flat, opaque eyes, even when caught fresh.
Take a look at the skin to assess the quality of the skin. It should appear smooth and shiny, not dull.
To determine if the fillets are of high quality, look for flesh that is moist and it appears as if it’s freshly cut. Avoid fish with a strong or a strong fishy scent.
How to cook walleye?
Walleye is a fish that’s versatile which can be cooked in many different ways. Smoked or broiled (grilled) and pan-fried poached, baked, or used to make chowder; these are all delicious, simple alternatives. The delicate flavor of fish must be cherished — too excessive spice and heavy sauces will overwhelm the fish.
Keep a check on the cooking process is crucial since overcooked fish is unpleasant and rubbery.
Recipe: Pan-fried fish
Ingredients
- 4 fillets of walleye
- Salt and pepper
- 5 Tbsp of canola oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 sprigs of fresh Thyme
- 2 Tbsp Flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Method of preparation
With paper towels, gently pat the fillets until they’re dry and then sprinkle using the salt as well as pepper.
In a large pan, heat high heat until it is hot, and then add oil. Add the fish, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for about 2 minutes. The fish will begin getting brown on the bottom when the time comes to turn it.
Flip the fish over and then introduce the butter as well as the thyme in the pan. Scoop the butter, melted, and herbs on the fish and cook for around 1-2 minutes, until the fish is cooked. The fish should look white on the outside and have an appealing white, moist inside.
Sprinkle some parsley on the fish and serve alongside lemon wedges.
Cooking Tips
If the fillets you are cooking have skins, put the skin side of the fish down when you add them to the pan of frying.
Simply push down on the fillet with the fish slice for 20-30 seconds, allowing the fillet from curling upwards.
Cooking times for fish depend upon the size of fillets. Therefore, take these as an approximate guideline. It is recommended to regularly observe the progress rather than relying solely on the cooking time.
Fish cooks for a long time after taking it out of the pan, so you need to stop cooking it a bit before the fish is cooked.
How can you reduce the fishy taste of the walleye?
The best solution is to fish by yourself or buy it from a trusted seller. The fish’s quality increases as fillets get older.
For a more mild tasting fish, pour half 1 cup of vinegar in the bowl, then mix in the fish. Mix it well to thoroughly coat the fillets and then transfer the fish onto the dish or tray. Then, let it sit for 30 minutes to let the vinegar absorb. The result is a delicious fish with less taste of fish.
Where can you buy walleye?
Be aware that you might be able to purchase walleye in the supermarket. However, the majority of it is found in the lakes that are inland in Canada. Experts say that the ones who come from smaller lakes are the most flavorful. Locals often refer to the fish Pickerels. But don’t fall for it.
The walleye and the pickerels are totally different. While they appear almost identical, the Pickerels have silver-colored scales at the belly and a green at the fins. Walleye however, has round bellies and gold-colored scales. On the plus side, the two species contain white meat that is delicious for every bite.
Living in the tropical zone which means it’s hard for me to capture one or even eat one. Most likely, I’ll only eat frozen walleye at the nearest grocery stores.
How do you effectively store a walleye?
Are you aware that storage is an essential factor in keeping the freshness and flavor of the walleye? A proper handling technique plays a major part in ensuring that you get the most delicious food. It is essential to keep it in good condition in order to preserve the nutrient content. Refrigerate your walleye meat at 35 degrees F.
I do not recommend using ice directly in order to stop the fish from getting soaked in the water that drips off. I recommend placing the fish in the perforated pan prior to placing an ice, so the water drains out of the holes.
It is important to know that the maximum possible period you can keep a walleye in storage is seven days. Fillets can only be used for about three days once they are stored. However, for frozen meats they can be kept for indefinitely or more. This is probably due to the fact that unfortunately, walleye are threatened with extinction.
Wrapping up
What Does Walleye Taste Like?
Walleye provides a deliciously flaked fillet that has a mild, sweet flavor and very low levels of the fishy smell. It is a great fish if you are looking to eat a meal that is composed of mild taste. This fish’s flavor is firm but delicate, with a smooth mouthfeel. If you like a blander, less fishy meat, you’ll surely like it. The cooking method will greatly affect the texture. Choose recipes that do not overwhelm the meat with excessive flavor. Most importantly, be aware of the cooking process –if it gets a bit overcooked, the end result will not be quite satisfying.
