Pan-Seared Catfish with Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

A Southern-inspired dish featuring tender catfish fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a tangy Alabama white barbecue sauce. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, salt 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp black pepper (for sauce)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (about 6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the catfish fillets in the pan and cook for 4 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown and crispy at the edges.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
4. Step 4: While the fish cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp prepared horseradish, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl until smooth and tangy.
5. Step 5: Remove the catfish from the skillet and place on a serving platter. Spoon the Alabama white barbecue sauce generously over each fillet and serve immediately with your favorite sides.