Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish with Spiced Red Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

A Southern-inspired dish featuring tender catfish fillets rubbed with Cajun spices and served alongside slow-simmered red beans infused with smoked paprika and garlic. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 (about 6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups red kidney beans (canned, drained)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and rub evenly with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until edges are crispy and fish flakes easily.
2. Step 2: In a separate saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained red kidney beans, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Stir 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley into the beans, then serve the Cajun catfish fillets atop the spiced red beans for a hearty regional meal.