Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky, tender catfish fillet seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Seafood cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) and brush both sides with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  2. Step 2: Rub 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning evenly over both sides of each fillet, then sprinkle 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Place fillets on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the fish flakes easily with a fork and grill marks appear.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then remove from heat.
  6. Step 6: Remove catfish from grill, plate, and drizzle the lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over each fillet before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter?

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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Lemon Garlic Butter?

Seafood 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.

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