Neely's Memphis Style Catfish

Bring the flavors of the South to your table with Neely's Memphis Style Catfish—a crispy, golden masterpiece that’s packed with bold, zesty seasonings and a delightful crunch. This Southern classic starts with tender catfish fillets dipped in a spicy buttermilk and hot sauce marinade, then coated in a perfectly seasoned blend of cornmeal, flour, cayenne, paprika, and garlic powder. Fried to golden perfection in hot oil, each fillet boasts a savory, perfectly crisp crust that’s impossible to resist. Ready in just 30 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is best served fresh with a squeeze of lemon for a bright, tangy finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or laid-back gatherings, this Memphis-style recipe is a must-try for fans of authentic Southern comfort food. Keywords: Memphis catfish recipe, Southern fried catfish, crispy catfish, spicy buttermilk catfish, quick Southern dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces catfish fillets
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a shallow dish, combine the yellow cornmeal, flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the coating for the catfish.

Step 2

In another shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce until fully combined.

Step 3

Dip each catfish fillet into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.

Step 4

Transfer the catfish to the cornmeal mixture and press gently to adhere the coating on both sides. Shake off any excess.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.

Step 6

Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, carefully place the coated catfish into the hot oil. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the coating is golden brown and the fish is cooked through.

Step 7

Remove the fried catfish from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining fillets.

Step 8

Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for a zesty twist.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1918.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8786.3

Total Fat 864.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 128.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 538.1g
Cholesterol 306.8mg	0%
Sodium 3558.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 236.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 16.6g
Protein 107.2g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 402.5mg	0%
Iron 12.6mg	0%
Potassium 2203.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 85.0%

Protein: 4.7%

Carbs: 10.3%