Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce
A vibrant New Orleans-inspired sandwich featuring blackened catfish, crisp lettuce, and tangy remoulade on a toasted French roll. This Southern American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, cajun seasoning, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1 lb catfish fillets
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 French rolls
- 8 leaves romaine lettuce leaves
- 8 tomato slices
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp capers, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb catfish fillets, then evenly coat both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped capers, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp paprika until smooth to create the remoulade sauce.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned catfish fillets and sear for 4 minutes on each side until the exterior is darkened and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, slice 4 French rolls lengthwise and toast them lightly in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
- Step 5: Spread about 2 tbsp of the remoulade sauce on each toasted roll bottom. Layer 2 romaine lettuce leaves and 2 tomato slices per sandwich, then place the hot catfish fillet on top.
- Step 6: Spread another 1 tbsp remoulade on the top half of each roll and close the sandwich. Serve immediately while warm and juicy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce?
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-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce 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-Seared Cajun Catfish Po’Boy with Remoulade Sauce?
Southern American sandwiches & wraps 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.
