Description
A classic Southern dish featuring crispy, golden-brown cornmeal-crusted catfish fillets, served with a tangy homemade dill tartar sauce, crispy fries, and a fresh lemon wedge for the perfect bite. This comforting and flavorful seafood dish is a staple in Southern cooking, offering the perfect balance of crunch and zest.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Catfish:
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
For the Dill Tartar Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
-
Marinate the Catfish:
- In a shallow dish, mix buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Soak catfish fillets for 30 minutes to tenderize and enhance flavor.
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Prepare the Coating:
- In another dish, combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
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Coat & Fry:
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove catfish from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- Dredge in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
- Fry for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels.
-
Make the Tartar Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix all tartar sauce ingredients.
- Chill for at least 15 minutes for best flavor.
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Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve the fried catfish hot with dill tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and crispy fries.
Notes
- For extra crispy fish, double-coat the fillets by dipping them back into buttermilk and dredging in the coating again before frying.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for the best crispy texture.
- If you don’t have catfish, substitute with tilapia, cod, or haddock.
- Make it spicier! Add more cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the coating.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Southern