Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun Spice and Creamy Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

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-inspired dish featuring crispy pan-seared catfish seasoned with Cajun spices, served atop smooth, buttery grits. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe (gluten free), ready in about 45 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 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cups water
1 cup stone-ground grits
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: In a shallow dish, evenly coat 4 catfish fillets with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, rubbing it into the flesh. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes until thickened and tender.
Step 3: Stir 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into the cooked grits until smooth and creamy. Keep warm.
Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the seasoned catfish fillets in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the exterior is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Step 5: Serve the catfish immediately over a bed of creamy grits, garnished with lemon wedges for squeezing.