Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon
This pan-seared catfish features a golden crust and a bright garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon, delivering a simple yet flavorful seafood dinner. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour 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.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (about 6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (about 6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Lightly dredge each fillet in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams and oil shimmers, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the catfish fillets and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until the edges are golden and crisp.
- Step 5: Carefully flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes until cooked through and opaque.
- Step 6: Remove fillets to a warm plate and reduce heat to medium-low. Add 2 tbsp minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and the remaining 2 tbsp butter, cooking for 1 minute until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 8: Pour the garlic butter sauce over the catfish and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Catfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Seafood seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
