Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes
Golden pan-fried catfish fillets seasoned with Cajun spices, served alongside moist cornbread and crispy fried green tomatoes for a Southern-inspired dinner. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 65 minutes pairs (6 oz each) catfish fillets, cajun seasoning, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick green tomatoes
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (for cornbread)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. In another bowl, mix 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed, then pour batter into a greased 8x8-inch pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Step 2: Combine 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning with 1 cup all-purpose flour in a shallow dish. Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another dish. Dip each of 4 catfish fillets first in buttermilk, then dredge in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 3: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the catfish fillets for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Step 4: Slice 3 medium green tomatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Dip each slice in buttermilk, then dredge in 1/2 cup cornmeal mixed with 1/2 tsp salt. Heat remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the tomato slices for 3 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
- Step 5: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp hot sauce to make a spicy dipping sauce.
- Step 6: Serve the catfish alongside wedges of cornbread and fried green tomatoes with the spicy mayo on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes?
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 Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes?
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 Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes 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 Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Cornbread and Fried Green Tomatoes?
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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