Pan-Seared Catfish with Cilantro-Lime Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Golden pan-seared catfish fillets topped with a bright cilantro-lime butter sauce, delivering a fresh and buttery Southern coastal flavor. This Southern American-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 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 (6 oz each) Catfish fillets
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped

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 season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp paprika.
2. Step 2: Lightly dredge each fillet in 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess flour.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams.
4. Step 4: Add catfish fillets to skillet and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a warm plate.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp butter and 2 cloves minced garlic to the skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, then pour this butter sauce over the catfish fillets before serving.