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Crispy Fried Catfish with Homemade Tartar Sauce

Crispy Fried Catfish with Homemade Tartar Sauce is a delicious dish featuring tender catfish fillets marinated in a flavorful mixture of buttermilk, egg, and spices, coated in a crispy breading made with cornmeal, flour, and seasoning. The catfish is fried until golden and crispy, then served with a tangy homemade tartar sauce made with mayonnaise, onion, relish, lemon juice, and spices. This dish offers a perfect balance of crunchy texture and savory flavors, enhanced by the zesty tartar sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Catfish Fillets
  • 2-3 Cups or More of Frying Oil
  • Extra Lemon Wedges
Catfish Marinade:
  • 2 Cups Buttermilk
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tbsp Mustard
  • 2-3 Dashes of Hot Sauce
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
Catfish Breading:
  • 2 Cups Cornmeal
  • 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1-2 Tbsp Creole Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
Homemade Tartar Sauce:
  • 1 Cup Mayonnaise
  • ½ Small Onion Grated
  • 2 Tbsp Sweet Relish
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder

Method
 

  1. In a 9x9 baking dish or reusable bag, combine all ingredients for the catfish marinade. Add the catfish fillets to the marinade and let them marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. In a 9x13 baking dish or large container, mix together all ingredients for the catfish breading. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for the homemade tartar sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large pot, heat 2-3 cups of frying oil until hot. Take one catfish fillet at a time, coat it thoroughly in the breading mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off any excess breading and carefully place the coated fillet into the hot oil.
  5. Fry the catfish for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Transfer the fried catfish to a roasting rack to drain excess oil.
  6. Serve the crispy fried catfish with homemade tartar sauce and extra lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!