Buttermilk-Brined Fried Catfish with Spicy Remoulade

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Crisp fried catfish fillets soaked in a tangy buttermilk brine and served with a zesty homemade remoulade sauce. This Southern United States-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, buttermilk, hot sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern United States cuisine 520 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

4 pieces (6 oz each) catfish fillets
2 cups buttermilk
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp hot sauce

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups buttermilk with 1 tbsp hot sauce. Submerge 4 catfish fillets in the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour to brine.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F.
Step 4: Remove catfish fillets from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour-cornmeal mixture.
Step 5: Fry the fillets in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F. Drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp hot sauce to create the spicy remoulade.
Step 7: Serve the fried catfish hot with a side of spicy remoulade for dipping.