Pan-Seared Catfish with Fried Green Tomato Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Delicate catfish fillets pan-seared to golden perfection served atop a crisp fried green tomato salad with a zesty dressing. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, cornmeal, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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, about 6 oz each catfish fillets
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup, plus more for frying vegetable oil
• 3 medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick green tomatoes
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 sliced thin green onions

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Season 4 catfish fillets with 1/2 tsp salt, then dredge each fillet thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish fillets and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
3. Step 3: Dip 3 sliced green tomatoes (1/2 inch thick) in 1/2 cup buttermilk, then dredge in the remaining cornmeal mixture. In a separate skillet, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium heat and fry tomatoes for 3 minutes per side until crisp and golden.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 sliced green onions, and a pinch of salt to create a zesty dressing.
5. Step 5: Arrange fried green tomato slices on plates, drizzle with dressing, and top with pan-seared catfish. Serve immediately for a vibrant Southern-inspired dish.