Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar›North Carolina Catfish Recipe

North Carolina Catfish Recipe

Inspired by Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Time1h 30m
Serves4

crispy anson mills grits, smoked bacon collard greens, preserved okra, pot likker butter blackened or fried

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Ingredients

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Catfish Preparation

Crispy Anson Mills Grits

Smoked Bacon Collard Greens

Preserved Okra

Pot Likker Butter

Method

Catfish Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Catfish

    Season the catfish fillets with blackening seasoning on both sides. Set aside.

  2. 2

    Fry the Catfish

    In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the catfish fillets. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and let drain on paper towels.

Crispy Anson Mills Grits

  1. 3

    Cook the Grits

    In a saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in the Anson Mills grits. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

  2. 4

    Cool and Fry the Grits

    Once cooked, stir in the butter and pour the grits into a greased dish. Let them cool and set for at least 1 hour. Once set, cut into squares, coat with cornmeal, and fry in a skillet until crispy on both sides.

Smoked Bacon Collard Greens

  1. 5

    Cook the Bacon

    In a large pot, cook the diced smoked bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.

  2. 6

    Sauté the Vegetables

    Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until translucent.

  3. 7

    Cook the Collard Greens

    Add the chopped collard greens to the pot along with the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes, until the greens are tender. Stir in the reserved bacon.

Pot Likker Butter

  1. 8

    Make the Pot Likker Butter

    In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the pot likker from the cooked greens and let simmer for a few minutes to combine flavors.

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