Spiced Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish with Carolina Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Crisp-fried catfish filets coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust, served with a tangy cabbage slaw reflecting Southern flavors. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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, 5 oz each catfish fillets
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• for frying, about 2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another bowl. Dip each of the 4 catfish fillets (5 oz each) into buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F.
4. Step 4: Fry the coated catfish fillets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1 grated medium carrot in a large bowl.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
7. Step 7: Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated; let sit 10 minutes before serving alongside the catfish.