Kenosha-Style Fried Whitefish Sandwich with Tartar Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

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 drafted and published.

Crispy fried whitefish nestled in a soft bun with tangy tartar sauce and fresh lettuce, inspired by the Great Lakes regional fish fry tradition. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers whitefish fillets, all-purpose flour, cornmeal into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 pound, cut into 3-inch pieces whitefish fillets
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp, divided salt
1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
3/4 cup cold sparkling water
for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp dill pickle relish
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried dill weed
4 soft sandwich buns
4 leaves leaf lettuce

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Gradually add 3/4 cup cold sparkling water, whisking until smooth to create a light batter.
Step 2: Heat about 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F. Pat dry 1 pound whitefish fillets cut into 3-inch pieces, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Dip each whitefish piece into the batter to coat completely, letting excess drip off, then carefully lower into hot oil. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning once.
Step 4: Remove fried fish with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp dill pickle relish, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp dried dill weed to make tartar sauce.
Step 6: To assemble, place a leaf of lettuce on each of 4 soft sandwich buns, top with fried whitefish pieces, and spread 2 tbsp tartar sauce over the fish. Serve immediately.