Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade
Crisp-fried catfish fillets piled on a toasted baguette with a zesty remoulade sauce, a beloved Mississippi street food classic. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs pounds 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 650 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 1/2 pounds catfish fillets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickles
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 4 baguette buns
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Dip 1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets in 1 cup buttermilk, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high to 350°F (175°C). Fry the catfish in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped pickles, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup chopped celery, and 1/4 cup chopped red onion in a bowl until smooth.
- Step 4: Split 4 baguette buns and spread remoulade on the bottom halves. Place 3-4 fried catfish fillets on each bun, top with more remoulade, and close with the top halves.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds catfish fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fried Catfish Sandwich with Remoulade?
Southern seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many seafood recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.