🐟 Southern Fried Catfish
Ingredients
Fish
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2–3 lbs catfish fillets
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2 cups buttermilk
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1 tbsp hot sauce (optional but very Southern 😉)
Breading
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1½ cups yellow cornmeal
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp cayenne (adjust to taste)
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
For Frying
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Vegetable oil or peanut oil
How to Make It
1. Soak the catfish
Rinse fillets and pat dry.
Soak in buttermilk (and hot sauce) for 30 minutes to 2 hours — this tenderizes and removes any muddy taste.
2. Heat the oil
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet or fryer. Oil should be about 1½–2 inches deep.
3. Bread the fish
Mix all breading ingredients in a shallow dish.
Remove catfish from buttermilk, let excess drip off, then coat generously in the cornmeal mix.
4. Fry
Carefully add fillets to hot oil. Don’t overcrowd.
Fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
5. Drain & rest
Remove to a wire rack or paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt while hot.
Serve It Like the South Does
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Hushpuppies
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Coleslaw
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Fries or potato wedges
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White bread or cornbread
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Lemon wedges & hot sauce on the side
Pro Southern Tips
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Yellow cornmeal = authentic crunch (white works, but yellow is classic)
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Peanut oil gives the best flavor if you have it
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Want extra crunch? Double-dip: back into buttermilk, then cornmeal again