Farm-raised Mississippi catfish is the state's most consumed fish and a defining soul food staple. Cornmeal-coated and fried in cast iron, it is served everywhere.

Where to eat Mississippi Fried Catfish in Jackson

3 editor picks for Mississippi Fried Catfish in Jackson, ranked by editorial score. All Jackson signature dishes · Mississippi Fried Catfish across every city.

  • Bully's Restaurant

    Order Oxtails with greens, mac and cheese, and a slice of sweet potato cobbler

    Bully's is Jackson's James Beard-winning soul food institution, with steam-table oxtails, neckbones, catfish, and homemade cobblers from a morning start.

    DetailsDirections

  • Mayflower Cafe

    Order Fried shrimp plate with comeback sauce, or the broiled trout

    Mayflower Cafe, open since 1935, is Jackson's oldest restaurant and birthplace of comeback sauce.

    DetailsDirections

  • Hal and Mal's

    Order Red beans and rice with andouille, or the Sunday brunch plate

    Hal and Mal's on Commerce Street is Jackson's signature live-music restaurant, with Southern comfort food and nightly entertainment in a converted warehouse.

    DetailsDirections

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Make it at home

Serves 451 min

Ingredients

  • 4 catfish fillets, approximately 170g each
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • Vegetable oil for frying (enough for 4cm depth in a cast-iron skillet)

Method

  1. Soak catfish fillets in buttermilk mixed with hot sauce for 30 minutes in the refrigerator
  2. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow bowl
  3. Heat oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet to 180C; the oil should be deep enough to come halfway up the fish
  4. Remove fillets from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat both sides well
  5. Fry 2 fillets at a time for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; do not crowd the pan
  6. Drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels to maintain crust crispness
  7. Serve immediately with coleslaw, hush puppies, and hot sauce on the side