Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Flaky catfish fried in a crisp beer batter, tucked into warm tortillas and topped with a tangy cilantro lime slaw. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, all-purpose flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb catfish fillets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup cold lager beer
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Gradually pour in 1 cup cold lager beer, stirring until smooth and thick enough to coat fish.
2. Step 2: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F.
3. Step 3: Cut 1 lb catfish fillets into 3-inch pieces. Dip each piece into the beer batter, letting excess drip off, then carefully place in hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, toss 2 cups shredded green cabbage with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and sliced jalapeño for slaw.
5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet until pliable.
6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by placing 2-3 pieces of fried catfish in each tortilla and topping with a generous spoonful of cilantro lime slaw. Serve immediately.