Pan Fried Cajun Blackened Catfish Recipe

Name: Pan Fried Cajun Blackened Catfish
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound catfish fillets ((about 4-6 fillets)); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))

This spicy, buttery pan fried Cajun blackened catfish takes just 15 MINUTES to make! Melt-in-your mouth tender and coated with a flavorful array of herbs and spices, this fish should definitely be on your weekly menu!

plate of cajun blackened catfish topped with creamy sauce.

A crispy, flavor packed coating on the outside, and a light, juicy, almost fluffy texture on the inside, pan fried catfish is one of the greatest ways to enjoy catfish - especially coated with a flavorful, smoky Cajun spice rub.

This recipe for blackened catfish is ultra easy to make and one of my new favorites, especially when topped with this red gravy! The technique for blackening is super simple and just as good as any New Orleans restaurant!

Plus it takes less than 20 minutes to melt-in-your-mouth buttery perfection.

Jump to:

Why this recipe works
The ingredients to make blackened catfish
Step by step instructions
Expert tips
What to serve with blackened Cajun catfish?
Frequently asked questions
More recipes for Cajun cuisine
Recipe
Pan Fried Cajun Blackened Catfish
💬 Comments

Why this recipe works

The mild flavor of the catfish goes perfectly with the intense flavor of the blackened spices.
The use of butter to cook the catfish results in a rich, buttery flavor that is incredible.
It's ultra easy to make and you can have it on the table in less than 20 minutes.
The recipe is very versatile, allowing you to substitute any kind of seafood and still get amazing results.

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The ingredients to make blackened catfish

The fresher the catfish, the better your dish will be. If you can find top quality wild-caught catfish, that makes for an amazing dish.

You can also substitute flounder, redfish, trout, seabass, cod, snapper, perch, black bass, salmon, shellfish (I LOVE blackened shrimp), or any other type of freshwater fish fillets.

The blackened seasoning is the key spice mixture in this fried catfish recipe. Blackened seasoning is a savory seasoning consisting of Cajun spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, thyme and salt (among others).

We use unsalted butter to cook the catfish as it adds a nice rich flavor that complements the seasoning and catfish well. You can substitute olive oil, duck fat, lard, or whatever type of fat you like to fry in.

Step by step instructions

plate of raw catfish seasoned with blackened seasoning. — **Step 1**: Sprinkle the catfish fillets with the blackened seasoning and salt. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over **medium heat** and add the butter.

seasoned catfish being fried in a cast iron skillet. — **Step 2**: Add the catfish filets to the melted butter and cook for **5 minutes**. Carefully flip the catfish over and cook on the other side for 5 minutes **until the flesh is flaky**. (*cook for about 10 minutes total*)

The blackened seasoning should add a slight char (it's not burned) on the outside.

Turn the burner off, remove from heat and serve the catfish hot! To add some brightness, add a little squeeze of fresh lemon.

blackened catfish topped with creamy tomato and onion sauce.

Expert tips

You want to use enough blackened seasoning to coat all sides of the fish.
The seasoning tends to smoke when cooking, so it is best to turn on a fan and/or open a window to prevent the smoke alarm from going off. If the pan starts to smoke too much while cooking, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of butter and reduce the heat just slightly.
The catfish can be substituted with other types of fish or seafood like catfish (see post above for examples of fish that can be used).
You can also place the skillet on a grill to heat it to avoid smoking out your house.

What to serve with blackened Cajun catfish?

Serve it topped with this creamy remoulade or just a quick squeeze of lemon.
Try serving it alongside this Cajun dirty rice, Instant Pot red beans and rice, or these Southern green beans.
A Southern meal isn't complete without a side of Instant Pot cornbread or jalapeno hushpuppies.
I also really love it served on top of grits (like this shrimp and grits recipe, only use catfish instead).
For more smoky, spicy Louisiana-inspired meals, visit our Ultimate Cajun & Creole Recipes roundup

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean when a catfish is blackened?

Catfish is coated in a spicy blend of spices, then fried in a hot skillet to get a dark "charred" crust on the outside with is full of flavor. It has a burned look (hence the term "blackened") but is not actually burned.

Do you blacken fish in oil or butter?

While both will work, catfish cooked in butter has a richer richer flavor and is the preferred way to cook it.

Is blackened fish healthy?

Frying fish in any way is typically not the healthiest way to enjoy fish. Reducing the amount of oil you fry the fish in can increase the healthiness of the fish. Fish is packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your health.

How to store leftover catfish?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a cast iron pan for 1 minute a side (to heat through) or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time (to ensure you don't overcook it).

Leftovers can also be frozen in an airtight container for 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat per the above instructions.

More recipes for Cajun cuisine

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