Blackened Fish Sliders Recipe
Blackened Catfish, tartar, lettuce & tomato served on a fresh baked slider bun.
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Ingredients
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Blackened Catfish
Tartar Sauce
Sliders & Garnish
Method
Blackened Catfish
- 1
Prepare fillets
Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels and cut into 12 slider-sized portions (about 2 oz each) or leave small fillets whole if already slider-sized. Place on a plate and set aside.
- 2
Make blackening spice
In a small bowl combine paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly.
- 3
- 4
Cook fish
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy stainless pan over medium-high heat until very hot (about 3–4 minutes). Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the unsalted butter. When butter foams and oil shimmers, place fillets in the pan without crowding. Cook undisturbed 2–3 minutes per side for thin portions (longer, 3–4 minutes, for thicker pieces), until spice forms a dark crust and fish flakes with a fork. If using multiple batches, keep cooked pieces warm on a sheet pan in a 200°F (95°C) oven. After removing from pan, drizzle lemon juice over the cooked fillets.
Tartar Sauce
- 5
In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, chopped dill pickles, chopped capers, minced shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lemon or salt as desired.
Sliders & Assembly
- 6
Toast buns
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) or use a skillet. Brush the insides of slider buns lightly with softened butter. Place buns cut side up on a baking sheet and toast in the oven 5–7 minutes until lightly golden, or toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden.
- 7
Assemble sliders
Spread about 1 teaspoon of tartar sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a lettuce leaf, then a slice of tomato (or half slice for small tomatoes), then a piece of blackened catfish. Top the fish with an additional 1/2 teaspoon tartar if desired, a pickle slice (optional), and cap with the top bun.
- 8