Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun Butter and Sauteed Green Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Fresh catfish fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a spicy Cajun butter and served with crisp sautéed green beans for a Southern-inspired plate. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 lb, trimmed green beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 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 evenly coat both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Let rest while preparing other ingredients.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb trimmed green beans and 1/2 tsp salt, sauté for 5-6 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove beans and keep warm.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet over medium heat, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the seasoned catfish fillets to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the catfish and garlic butter. Serve fillets topped with the Cajun butter sauce alongside the sautéed green beans.