Tennessee-Style Blackened Catfish with Spiced Red Pepper Sauce

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

Pan-seared catfish fillets coated in a spicy blackening seasoning, served with a smoky red pepper sauce reflecting Upper South flavors. This Southern United States-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, paprika, cayenne 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 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1.5 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large, roasted and chopped red bell pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil

The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1.5 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the blackening spice.
2. Step 2: Pat 4 catfish fillets dry and evenly coat both sides with the blackening spice.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and foaming.
4. Step 4: Add catfish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the crust is dark and fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove and keep warm.
5. Step 5: For the red pepper sauce, combine 1 large roasted and chopped red bell pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter in a blender. Puree until smooth.
6. Step 6: Warm the sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat until heated through.
7. Step 7: Serve the blackened catfish with a generous drizzle of the spiced red pepper sauce.