Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

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 quick pan-seared catfish dish finished with a tangy and spicy Kansas City-style barbecue sauce that balances sweet and heat. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, kosher salt, black 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.

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

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Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

Step 1: Season 4 catfish fillets evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Dredge each fillet in 1/2 cup cornmeal until fully coated.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the onion softens.
Step 4: Serve the catfish fillets drizzled with the spicy Kansas City BBQ sauce for a perfect balance of crispy texture and tangy heat.