Pan-Seared Catfish with Lemon Butter and Cajun Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

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 pan-seared catfish seasoned with bold Cajun spices and finished with a tangy lemon butter sauce. 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 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 320 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
2 tbsp cajun seasoning
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides evenly with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the catfish fillets and sear for 4 minutes on the first side without moving, until a golden crust forms.
Step 4: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Step 5: Remove the catfish to a warm plate and reduce heat to medium-low in the skillet.
Step 6: Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until fragrant and the butter is melted.
Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, cooking for 30 seconds until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 8: Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the catfish fillets and serve immediately.