Fried Catfish

Crispy fried catfish fillets seasoned to perfection, served with a side of tangy tartar sauce. A classic Southern dish that's easy to make and packed with flavor.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Catfish

4 fillets catfish fresh
1 cup buttermilk for soaking
1 cup cornmeal for breading
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
3 cups vegetable oil for frying

For the Tartar Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons relish sweet or dill
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon capers chopped, optional

Method

Prepare the Catfish

In a large bowl, soak the catfish fillets in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes.
In another bowl, mix the cornmeal, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together.

Bread the Fish

Remove the catfish fillets from the buttermilk and allow excess to drip off.
Coat each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breading.

Fry the Catfish

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Carefully add the breaded catfish fillets to the hot oil, frying in batches if necessary.
Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Prepare the Tartar Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, and chopped capers. Mix well.
Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more lemon juice or relish if desired.

Serve

Remove the fried catfish from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot with tartar sauce and your choice of sides.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add spices to the buttermilk soak or use different herbs in the cornmeal mixture. Serve with coleslaw or fries for a complete meal.

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