Sesame Free Cajun-Spiced Catfish
Cajun-spiced catfish is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like it came straight out of a Southern kitchen — bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying. The spice blend here is built entirely from pantry staples like smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and dried herbs, so there's no reaching for a store-bought seasoning mix that might sneak in hidden sesame or other allergens. Every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify, which makes this a genuinely stress-free cook. The magic happens in a cast iron skillet with nothing but a drizzle of olive oil — the high heat creates that gorgeous, deeply golden crust that locks in all the flavor. Catfish is a mild, meaty fish that takes on bold seasoning beautifully, and the squeeze of fresh lemon at the end cuts right through the richness. It's the kind of dish that looks and tastes impressive without requiring much effort at all.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the Cajun spice blend
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
For the fish
- 4 catfish fillets (about 6 oz each), patted dry
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For serving
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne, and kosher salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
- 2
Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels, then sprinkle the spice blend evenly over both sides of each fillet, pressing gently so it adheres.
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