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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.