Southern fried catfish

Here’s a classic Southern Fried Catfish recipe—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and full of down-home flavor 🍽️

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Southern Fried Catfish

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

• 4 catfish fillets

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Vegetable oil or peanut oil, for frying

• Lemon wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Soak the fish
   Rinse catfish and pat dry.
   Soak in buttermilk mixed with hot sauce for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).

2. Prepare the coating
   In a shallow dish, mix cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

3. Coat the fillets
   Remove fish from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
   Dredge thoroughly in cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to coat.

4. Heat the oil
   Heat oil in a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan to 350°F / 175°C.
   Oil should be about 1 inch deep.

5. Fry the catfish
   Fry fillets in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
   Don’t overcrowd the pan.

6. Drain & rest
   Transfer to a wire rack or paper towels.
   Season lightly with salt while hot.

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Serving Suggestions

• Hush puppies

• Coleslaw

• Collard greens

• Fries or fried okra

• Tartar sauce or remoulade

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Tips for Authentic Flavor

• Yellow cornmeal (not fine corn flour) gives true Southern crunch

• Cast-iron skillet = best crust

• A splash of vinegar or lemon cuts the richness

If you want, I can share:

• Oven-fried or air-fryer version

• Cajun-spiced catfish

• Southern tartar or comeback sauce recipe