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.
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
Instructions
- 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.
- In a 9x13 baking dish or large container, mix together all ingredients for the catfish breading. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for the homemade tartar sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve the crispy fried catfish with homemade tartar sauce and extra lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!