Description

This Cast-Iron Skillet Blackened Catfish recipe features perfectly seasoned catfish fillets coated in Cajun spices and cooked to a crispy, flavorful crust in a hot cast-iron skillet. Juicy and tender inside with a bold, smoky blackened exterior, it’s a quick and delicious Southern-inspired meal perfect for seafood lovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Catfish and Seasoning

2 lbs catfish fillets (about 4 pieces)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Creole Cajun Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)

Cooking Fat

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Serving

Lemon wedges, for squeezing over blackened catfish fillets & serving

Instructions

Bring Catfish to Room Temperature: Let the catfish fillets sit on the counter for 20 minutes to come to room temperature. This step ensures even cooking and improves the blackening process by allowing the fillets to sear better.
Prepare and Season the Catfish: Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels. Place them on a small baking sheet or platter. Drizzle olive oil over the fillets and use your hands to coat both sides evenly. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the fillets, massaging the spices into all surfaces to ensure full coverage. Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Heat the Skillet and Cook the Fillets: Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the unsalted butter. Once melted and just sizzling, swirl the skillet so the bottom is evenly coated. In batches, place two catfish fillets skin-side down into the hot skillet. Let them sear undisturbed for about 3-5 minutes until a deep blackened crust forms. Carefully flip the fillets using a fish spatula or slotted utensil and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the fish is firm but tender and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer the cooked fillets to a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining fillets.
Serve: Serve the blackened catfish immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing. Pair with your favorite sides such as Cajun Dirty Rice or Crawfish Cream Sauce for a complete indulgent meal.

Notes

Allowing the catfish to reach room temperature ensures even cooking and better blackening.
Patting the fish dry before seasoning helps achieve a crisp crust.
Use a cast-iron skillet for the best sear and blackening effect.
If desired, adjust Cajun seasoning level to your preference.
Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Accompany with traditional Cajun sides for a full authentic experience.

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Cajun/Southern

Keywords: Blackened Catfish, Cajun Catfish, Cast-Iron Skillet Catfish, Southern Seafood Recipe, Spicy Catfish, Cajun Seasoning Fish