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My Fried Fish recipe only takes 10 minutes and a few ingredients to make crispy, crunchy, flaky fish that's loaded with flavor!
Here are a few sides you can serve with your fried fish: Hush Puppies, Tartar Sauce, Potato Salad, Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens, and Sweet Tea.
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Growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, we had to learn how to fry fish around the same time we learned how to walk and talk. Fish fries are part of the culture. But can you blame us?
With so many varieties of fish in the Gulf of Mexico, it would be crazy of us not to live off the abundant options in the waters. That's why I'm going to show you a great way to fry golden brown fish perfectly every time.
It doesn't matter if you're down south eating fried catfish, trout, or snapper or frying whiting fish in the Midwest. This is a perfect technique for frying fish!
Key Ingredients
Here are a few ingredients you'll need for a southern fish fry.
Oil
I love to use peanut oil for my fish fries; it holds heat well and makes my fish a gorgeous golden brown color.
Fresh Fish Fillets
I know everybody expects my first choice to be catfish, but I'm telling you, fried trout, redfish, and snapper are excellent tasting fish that will put catfish to shame.
Creole Seasoning
A great Cajun-Creole seasoning will do the heavy lifting of 12 herbs and spices. That's why I use Savory Cajun seasoning or you can use my Homemade Creole Seasoning mix.
Buttermilk
It's not southern fried if there's no buttermilk.
Flour
Traditionally you might see fish fried in cornmeal or corn flour (fish fry in a box), but I love using all-purpose flour.
How to make Southern Fried Fish recipe?
The key to having a successful fish fry is properly cleaned fish, seasoning, and hot oil. I'm going to show you the simplest way to fry fish. Regardless if you're using finely ground cornmeal, flour, or a fish fry mix.
Fill a cast iron skillet or large heavy bottom skillet halfway with oil over medium-high heat until the oil temperature reaches 350°F. Season buttermilk and flour with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning each. Season each fish fillet evenly on both sides with the remaining seasoning.
Dredge fish in buttermilk, then flour; make sure to let any excess buttermilk drain off and shake off any excess flour. Fry in hot oil for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish (thickness of fish may reduce or increase the time.)
If frying fish in batches, take fish out and place fish on a foiled lined baking sheet in a 200˚F oven. Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon wedges, hot sauce, and your favorite dipping sauces.
How To Store Leftover Fried Fish?
Fried fish is best served hot out of the oil. However, it will remain fresh, covered in an airtight container for 7 days in the fridge. Reheat fried fish by baking it a 400˚F for 6-8 minutes until hot.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few notes so you can make crispy fried fish every time.
- If you're hosting a large fish fry, use a deep-fryer or Dutch oven.
- Using tongs is best for turning fish in a skillet because it reduces the amount of oil splatter.
- Marinate your fish in buttermilk for 1 hour to develop more flavor.
- Use canola or vegetable oil instead of peanut oil.
- If you do not have any Savory Cajun seasoning use my Homemade Creole Seasoning blend.
- Use your favorite all-purpose seasoning or old bay seasoning instead of Cajun seasoning.
- Feel free to use whole milk or evaporated milk as a swap for buttermilk. If you beat the milk with 1 large egg.
- You can use cornmeal or fish fry out of the box instead of flour.
- Don't overcrowd your skillet or deep fryer. This will reduce the temperature and cause the fish to steam instead of deep fry.
- This recipe will work with any of your favorite dipping sauces, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or your own homemade sauce.
FAQs
Here are the top questions readers have about fried fish.
Southern fried fish is when you use buttermilk, cornmeal, flour, or cornflour to deep fry fish. Fish commonly used are catfish, trout, or snapper.
The secret to frying fish: fresh fish and hot oil. You can season and batter your fish however you like, but if your oil is not at least 350°F, your fish won't be crispy and golden brown.
Before frying, you can soak your fish in a buttermilk marinade or an ice water marinade. The buttermilk will make your fish tender and add a tangy taste to it. While the ice water marinade is a great way to add flavor to large fish fries. You will have to over season the water to get maximum flavor.
The best fish to fry is catfish, trout, or red snapper. These fish have a mild flavor and a firm texture that holds up well to frying.
The best way to prevent soggy batter on fried fish is to fry your fish in oil that's between 350°F-365°F. This hot oil will make your fish flaky and crispy.
The best way to keep your fish crispy after it's done frying is to keep it in a warm oven to keep it hot and crispy. Some people like to use wire racks so the hot air circulates around the fish, which will keep you from eating soggy fish, unlike placing the fish on a paper towel.
You can serve several things with fried fish, but my top pick would be southern green beans, garlic mash potatoes, parmesan grits, stewed okra and tomatoes, and corn maque choux.
More Southern Recipes
If you love fish and seafood recipes as much as I do, then I know you'll love these recipes too!
- Southern Buttermilk Pound Cake
- Lemon Icebox Pie
- Southern Fried Chicken
- Easy Buttermilk Biscuits
- Sweet Southern Cornbread
Before You Begin
Before getting started, here are the steps I use to get organized.
Step 1: Get all ingredients to fry fish on the counter.
Step 2: Measure everything out.
Step 3: Cook my sides first; then, I get ready for some incredible fried fish!
I hope you enjoyed this southern fried fish recipe! If you did, please leave a comment and a star rating. I'd love to know what you think. And don't forget to Pin it for later!
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📖 Recipe
Southern Fried Fish
Ingredients
- Oil for frying
- 4 filets redfish or trout cut in half if filets are large
- 3 tablespoons Savory Cajun Seasoning divided
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 medium lemons cut into wedges
Instructions
- Fill a cast iron skillet or large heavy bottom skillet halfway with oil and heat over medium-high heat until oil reaches 350°F.
- Season buttermilk and flour with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Season each fish fillet evenly on both sides with the remaining seasoning. Dredge fish in buttermilk, then flour. Make sure to let any excess buttermilk drain off before dipping it into the flour and shake off any excess flour. Fry in hot oil for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish (thickness of fish may reduce or increase the time.)
- If doing fish in batches, take fish out and place fish on a foiled lined baking sheet in a 200˚F oven. Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon wedges, hot sauce, and your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- If you're hosting a large fish fry, use a deep-fryer or Dutch oven.
- Using tongs is best for turning fish in a skillet because it reduces the amount of splashing.
- Marinate your fish in buttermilk for 1 hour to develop more flavor.
- Use canola or vegetable oil instead of peanut oil.
- If you do not have any Savory Cajun seasoning use my Homemade Creole Seasoning blend.
- Use your favorite all-purpose seasoning or old bay seasoning instead of Cajun seasoning.
- Feel free to use whole milk or evaporated milk as a swap for buttermilk.
- You can use cornmeal or fish fry out of the box instead of flour.
- Don't overcrowd your skillet or deep fryer. This will reduce the temperature and cause the fish to steam instead of deep fry.
- This recipe will work with any of your favorite dipping sauces, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or your own homemade sauce.
Florida Ziegler says
Thank you for your recipe. I must try like this.
Shannon says
Hi!! I was looking at your recipe, but it's not too clear.
Are you mixing the buttermilk and flour together?? then putting the fish in it to soak?? The re-dipping it in milk then flour??
Can you please clarify? I want to do this correctly. Thanks!
Kenneth Temple says
Hi! You dip it in the buttermilk, then flour.
Shannon says
Hi again! Thank you. But I had guests over that night so just winged it. I actually combined it (before I received your response) and it surprisingly worked very well. Hahahaha Happy accident indeed.
Also, fish came out REALLY good!!
Kenneth Temple says
Delicious accident indeed! Glad you enjoyed it.