Pan-Seared Catfish with Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A Southern classic pan-seared catfish fillet served with tangy Alabama white barbecue sauce made from mayonnaise, horseradish, and vinegar. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 300 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets (about 6 oz each) catfish fillets
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp horseradish
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper (for sauce)

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp horseradish, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and tangy. Refrigerate the sauce.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Step 4: Add the catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side until edges are golden and fish releases easily from the pan.
Step 5: Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Step 6: Remove fish from skillet and serve immediately with generous spoonfuls of the Alabama white barbecue sauce.