Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Texas-Style BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

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 developed and reviewed.

Tender catfish fillets pan-seared and coated in a smoky, spicy barbecue glaze inspired by Texas flavors, perfect for a hearty dinner. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, smoked paprika 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: 12 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot sauce

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Instructions

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, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the catfish fillets and cook for 4 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown and crisp at the edges.
Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 3 minutes until cooked through and opaque.
Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp hot sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 5: Remove the catfish from the skillet and brush both sides generously with the barbecue glaze. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.