Description
Southern Fried Catfish Tacos combine crispy cornmeal crusted catfish with warm corn tortillas, crunchy purple cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a creamy Cajun remoulade. This recipe delivers bold Southern flavor with a satisfying crunch and balanced seasoning, making it a standout seafood taco that feels comforting yet vibrant. Each bite offers crispy texture, tender fish, and a rich sauce that ties everything together.
Ingredients
For the fried catfish use U.S. farm raised catfish fillets cut into thin strips
Buttermilk for soaking the fish
Cornmeal for a crispy coating
All purpose flour to balance the texture
Salt and black pepper for seasoning
Cajun seasoning for classic Southern flavor
Canola oil for frying
For the tacos use soft corn tortillas
Shredded purple cabbage for crunch
Fresh cilantro for garnish
For the Cajun remoulade use mayonnaise
Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard or Maille Original Dijon Mustard
Honey for subtle sweetness
Fresh lemon juice
Pickle juice for tang
Crystal Worcestershire Sauce or Annie’s Organic Worcestershire Sauce
Cajun seasoning
Fresh parsley finely chopped
Paprika
Fresh garlic minced
Instructions
Slice the catfish fillets into narrow uniform strips
Place the catfish in a bowl and coat with buttermilk then cover and refrigerate briefly
Heat canola oil in a heavy skillet until hot and ready for frying
Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning in a bag or shallow dish
Remove catfish from the buttermilk and allow excess to drip off
Coat the catfish strips thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture
Fry the coated catfish in batches until golden brown and cooked through
Transfer fried catfish to a paper towel lined plate to drain
Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, parsley, paprika, and garlic in a bowl
Mix the sauce until smooth and well blended
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet until soft
Assemble tacos by placing fried catfish in tortillas and topping with Cajun remoulade, cabbage, and cilantro
Notes
Maintain steady oil temperature to ensure crispy catfish without excess oil absorption
Avoid overcrowding the pan during frying to preserve crunch
The Cajun remoulade can be prepared ahead and chilled to enhance flavor
Warm tortillas just before serving to prevent cracking
Assemble tacos right before serving for the best texture and taste
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American