Classic southern fried fish is lightly seasoned and fried until golden then served with bright homemade tartar sauce. Tender, flaky and soft but crisp. So delicious!
Southern fried fish is so underrated. I don’t hear about it often. I will never forget about fried fish. I can’t forget anything I grew up eating. Heirloom recipes make me feel some kind of way. I love them. I used to get so happy when I came home from playing with my friends to the scent of frying fish. I used to wait anxiously to eat.
My little brother, well, he used to be so greedy. Every couple minutes he’d check to see if the fried fish was done. He REALLY couldn’t wait to eat his fried fish. When he scarfed his down, he would immediately ask me or our other siblings, “you gonna eat that?” He should’ve known better. Who wouldn’t want their fried fish? We didn’t want to share. We never had leftovers on fish fry nights.
When I didn’t have homemade southern fried fish I used to walk down the street to this tiny and I mean tiny restaurant. It was basically a takeout spot. They had a small menu. I remember seeing only fried fish sandwiches, burgers, and fries or other fried seafood. I don’t remember eating anything but their fried fish sandwiches with a side of fries and lots of ketchup. Those were the good old days.
Fried fish is one of my guilty pleasures for sure. When my mom or grandmother made fried fish, they only used a handful of ingredients, no milk or egg or in the batter, just cornmeal a bit of flour or sometimes all cornmeal and a couple seasonings. That’s really all you need oh, and a heavy duty cast iron skillet. We prefer to use whiting fish, but feel free to use your favorite kind of fish. I suggested a couple of different fish that’s perfect for frying below.
Fried fish
Optional but I love tartar sauce. Make your own quick tartar sauce or buy a quality one and let’s not forget about wheat bread. Slather the tartar sauce over each slice of wheat bread (or your choice of bread). I always add tartar sauce onto both sides, a bit more on one side and minimal tartar sauce on the other slice of bread. Add the fried crispy fish on top of the tartar sauce with bread then drizzle on the hot sauce.
Hmmm, I love a good fried fish sandwich. I’m telling you if you haven’t tried fried fish, nows your chance. Homemade fried fish is just so good! It’s nothing like them frozen breaded store-bought microwave fish you heat up for a couple minutes in the microwave. I don’t know about you but I’d rather make fried fish that’s crispy, tender and not soggy like the store brands. Homemade fried fish is HEAVENLY! It’s the best.
I can eat a couple of fried fish sandwiches back to back easily. If you’re on a special diet or want fewer carbs then eliminate the bread. To make the fish gluten-free, eliminate the all-purpose flour and make sure you the cornmeal doesn’t include wheat as an ingredient.
Quick tips:
- Use your choice of fish. Tilapia, whiting, cod or catfish.
- Make sure all of the bones are removed from the fish.
- To make this gluten-free, eliminate the flour.
- Pat the fish dry.
- Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper.
- Gently press the breading onto the fish and shake off excess flour before you add it to the oil.
- Coat the fish then leave it alone for 10 minutes. This will help keep the coating from falling off.
- Use a good quality non-stick pan or cast iron skillet.
- Do not fill the skillet more than halfway with oil.
- Make sure the hot oil is, @ the correct temperature (350 degrees F) before the fish is added to the skillet.
I don’t know what it is about southern fried fish sandwiches. Maybe it’s the taste of the crunchy salty exterior and the soft hot flaky interior, as it breaks apart easily with each bite. Or maybe it’s the hints of the bright tartar, the kick from the spicy hot sauce or the soft, nutty, earthy wheat bread. To make it more fulfilling, add lettuce and tomatoes if you like.
Whatever it is, I’d take southern fried fish over cheeseburgers any day!
In the future, I’ll post another fried fish sandwich using milk and eggs, but for now, I’ll leave you with this simple, quick fish fry recipe because I know sometimes you want something fast and now with minimal ingredients. How do you make your fried fish?
Classic southern fried fish is lightly seasoned and fried until golden then served with bright tartar sauce. So tender, flaky and soft but crisp. So delicious!
- 2 lb Fish Fillet (I used whiting) whiting, cod, catfish
- pepper for taste vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp dried dill add more for taste
- 2 tsp sugar optional or add more for taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice add more or less for taste
- 1 tbsp sweet relish
Lightly season with salt and pepper. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flours and all of the seasonings. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill the skillet with the vegetable oil halfway.
Dredge the fillets in the breading mixture one at a time. Fry the fillets in batches, 4 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel. Serve right away with your choice of bread, tartar sauce and hot sauce.
In a small bowl add all of the tartar sauce ingredients. Mix well. Serve with the fried fish.
- Use your choice of fish, whiting, cod, catfish.
- Make sure all the bones are removed from the fish.
- To make this gluten free, eliminate the flour.
- Pat the fish dry.
- Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper.
- Gently press the breading into the fish and shake off excess flour before you add it to the oil.
- Coat the fish then leave it alone for 10 minutes. This will help keep the coating from falling off.
- Use a good quality non-stick pan or cast iron skillet to fry your fish.
- Do not fill the skillet more than halfway with oil.
- Make sure the hot oil is @ the correct temperature (350 degrees F) before the fish is added to the skillet.
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This is my go to recipe for fried fish. I’ve tried the recipe with both fresh whiting and frozen whiting. Although both recipes are excellent using fresh whiting makes the recipe even more better. This is the only way I make my fried fish..
Winning! I’m excited that it’s your go to recipe! Fresh is always better! Thank you so much 🙂
I was just thinking that I need to put a new fish recipe into rotation at my house, I’ve been getting bored! I’m so happy to have found this recipe! Fried fish?! Yes please!
Thank you Jennifer! I hope you enjoy it!
You made my mouth water and now I’m craving a fish sandwich! I’m terrified of frying things but I’ll get my boyfriend to do it for me 😉
Omg this recipe looks AMAZING!! In Wisconsin, going to a Friday Fish Fry is basically a weekly tradition. This recipe would make it so much easier to just make the fish at home!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Oh wow, I never knew that. A Friday fish fry sounds exciting and fun! Thank you Sarah!
I’m soo craving this right now!! I don’t eat fish enough 🙂 This looks super good and easy, too!
I loooove fish. Thank you Stephanie!
I love fish..yours looks to die for..perfectly fried..awesome ..I never had fish in my sandwiches.but yours looks good
You have to give it a try someday. You will be surprised! Thank you Lathiya! By the way, I love your name.
I grew up eating fish, but fried fish isn’t common for my family. There’s something fascinating about fried fish, crispy on the outside, tender, juicy and flaky on the inside. mmm. That makes a amazing sandwich.
Exactly! That’s why I love it! Thank you Tiffany!
I love love a good fried fish sandwich. It was actually my favorite thing to eat at MickyD’s. Don’t tell anyone!!!
Rezel I won’t tell because I love it too! Haha! Thank you so much!
Looks amazing! This sounds great right now with tartar sauce! Yum. Thanks for the gluten free instructions as well :). That’s appreciated since I am constantly having to figure out the best way to adapt a recipe. I bet it would also work well with a GF all purpose blend without gums added.
You’re very welcome Samantha and thank you!
I do love fish! and I love fried fish, esp with a bit of cornmeal in the batter. Growing up in the South, my grandparents and relatives were big fish-fry eaters too. Lots of tartar sauce, lemon wedges and tobasco. My favorite is catfish, esp. if it was served with hush puppies! I believe there’s room for keeping food traditions in a healthy lifestyle. Great post as always April!
You are making me hungry this morning! Yes, love it! Thank you, Catherine!
I love how golden brown and crispy the outside looks! I’ve never been a fan of fish, but this new year i’m trying things i wouldn’t normally eat so I’ll definitely have to give this a try!
Totally try it. You will be surprised how easy and tasty it is! Thanks Elizabeth!
I love a good fried fish as well! You are so right, there’s nothing quite like it. I’m one of those people who will eat it almost straight out of the pan. I’ve never made my own tarter sauce, but I know it’s so easy to do. Now you’ve inspired me for a new meal on the meal plan!
I had the urge to eat it straight from the pan but then I probably wouldn’t be able to control myself and I needed them for pictures hahah. Thank you Karyl!
This looks delicious! I just made my kids fish and chips for New Year’s Eve, and man, they were acting like your little brother, haha. I did a beer batter, since that’s what I grew up with, but after reading your recipe, I realize that I probably could have added a bit more salt to mine without having overdone it. Next time!
People go nuts over fried fish haha. Fried fish is just amazing and simple! I’d take it over a juicy burger any day! Thank you!
April you brought back so many childhood memories for me haha! I loved reading your story about eating fried fish as a kid and having your brother always wanting your left overs! The same goes for me, except I had an older brother, and he ALWAYSSS ate my food LOL. I don’t eat fish anymore but fried fish was def a staple in my house.
Haha! Brothers, I’ll tell ya lol. I am making more fish this week. I can’t get enough of it. Love fish. Thank you!
This recipe screams southern cooking! I love it! Pinning for later.
Thank you so much, Elle!
Sounds so nice and crispy. Love that it much lighter than normal deep fried fish. Sounds like a great dinner option.
It is so delicious! I can eat fish any day of the week, baked,fried. I love it either way. Thank you Gloria.
I never tried a fried fish sandwich before! It looks delicious
You have to try it at least once. You’ll be amazed! Thanks again Guadalupe.
Being raised in the South as well, this fried fish reminds me of the catfish frys we used to have when I was a kid. Looks amazing!
Thank you so much, Yvonne.
Yummmmm this is making me hungry! I love the touch of herbs on top of the fried fish to bring a little color and freshness to it. Your homemade tartar sauce sounds amazing too! Fried fish is definitely underrated
Right? So underrated. Thank you Fiona! Enjoy your week!
I haven’t had fried fish in soooo long! I’m making some tomorrow, you’ve convinced me!
Haha glad I convinced you! Thank you Nicole!
Eating this right now!! Oh so good! Thank you for the deliciousness! 🙂
Sweeeeeeet! Thank you Nicole! Very glad you like it!:)
April, your recipes and staging are simply impeccable. I always get hungry when I visit your site.. the fried fish (yummy) and the salmon has my mouth watering.. I’ve got a serious recipe file with several from you…Happy New Year to you!!
Hey Jamala. Thank you so much for the kind comment! I hope you can try some of them out one day! I hope all is well with you and Happy New Year! 🙂
This looks like heaven! I love a good cripsy fried fish sandwich! I love the idea of adding hot sauce too!
It’s mouthwatering delicious! One of my favorite foods. Crispy fish is everything! Thank you Sarah!