North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy Remoulade

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy fried catfish fillets seasoned with a traditional Southern cornmeal crust, paired with a tangy and spicy remoulade sauce for dipping. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) catfish fillets, cornmeal, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the seasoned coating.
  2. Step 2: Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another bowl. Dip each of the 4 catfish fillets into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture until fully coated.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the coated catfish fillets in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F. Drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika in a small bowl to make the remoulade sauce.
  5. Step 5: Serve the fried catfish hot with a generous side of the spicy remoulade for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy Remoulade take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy 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 (6 oz each) catfish fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy 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 North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy 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 North Memphis Style Fried Catfish with Spicy Remoulade?

Southern American 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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