Pan-Seared Catfish with Lowcountry Tomato Gravy
Tender pan-seared catfish fillets served with a rich tomato and bell pepper gravy inspired by South Carolina’s coastal flavors. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) catfish fillets, cornmeal, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 small, diced green bell pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14.5 oz), drained diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup cornmeal with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pat 4 catfish fillets dry and dredge each in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the catfish fillets and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove fish and keep warm.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced small green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 1 can (14.5 oz) drained diced tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth, simmering for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp hot sauce and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the tomato gravy over the catfish and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Catfish with Lowcountry Tomato Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Lowcountry Tomato Gravy?
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 (6 oz each) catfish fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Catfish with Lowcountry Tomato Gravy?
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 Lowcountry Tomato Gravy 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 Lowcountry Tomato Gravy?
Southern American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So easy to make but feels fancy. Will be my go-to weeknight meal.
- ★★★★★
The tomato gravy transformed this from simple fish to something special—my kids asked for seconds!
- ★★★★★
Made this for my in-laws—my mother-in-law said it tasted like her Southern grandma's kitchen.
