Grilled Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Ponchatoula Pepper Relish

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Tender grilled catfish fillets seasoned with a smoky Cajun spice blend, topped with a fresh, vibrant pepper relish inspired by Ponchatoula's local produce. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 27 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets, olive oil, paprika 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.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup Ponchatoula fresh bell peppers, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice blend. Rub this evenly over 4 catfish fillets.
2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the grill grates with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill the seasoned catfish fillets for 4-5 minutes per side until opaque and easily flaked with a fork.
3. Step 3: While the fish grills, combine 1 cup diced Ponchatoula fresh bell peppers, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Stir to mix thoroughly, creating the pepper relish.
4. Step 4: Remove the catfish from the grill and spoon the pepper relish over each fillet while still warm. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.