Tree Nut Free Cajun-Spiced Catfish
Bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying, this Cajun-spiced catfish is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion. A homemade spice blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and dried herbs does all the heavy lifting, building layers of flavor without a single complicated step. Because you're mixing the seasoning yourself from pantry staples, there's no need to worry about store-bought spice blends that sometimes sneak in unexpected ingredients processed alongside tree nuts. The cast iron skillet is the real secret here — it gets ripping hot and locks in that gorgeous, deeply golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end cuts right through the heat and ties everything together beautifully. This is a clean, straightforward recipe that lets the fish shine, and it comes together with ingredients you can feel completely confident about.
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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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