Pan-Seared Catfish with Southern Corn Relish

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

This dish features tender pan-seared catfish fillets topped with a sweet and tangy Southern-style corn relish, perfect for a comforting regional meal. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, corn kernels, red bell pepper 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 medium, finely diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter

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 (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add the catfish fillets and sear for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a warm plate.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup corn kernels, 1 finely diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 minced jalapeño, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently.
4. Step 4: Spoon the corn relish generously over the catfish fillets and serve immediately, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.