Best 3 Southern Style Golden Fried Fish Recipes

Indulge in the crispy and golden-brown Southern-Style Golden Fried Fish, a culinary delight that embodies the essence of Southern cooking. This delectable dish features tender fish fillets, expertly coated in a flavorful batter and fried to perfection. Served with a selection of dipping sauces and accompanied by classic Southern sides like hush puppies and coleslaw, this Southern-Style Golden Fried Fish is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

The article showcases a collection of carefully curated recipes that guide you through the process of creating this Southern classic. Discover the secrets to achieving the perfect batter, ensuring a crispy exterior and a moist, flaky fish interior. Explore variations of this beloved dish, including a gluten-free version that caters to dietary preferences.

For those with a preference for a healthier alternative, the article introduces a baked version of the Southern-Style Golden Fried Fish. This rendition offers a lighter take on the traditional dish, delivering a crispy crust and tender fish without compromising on flavor.

Additionally, the article features a delightful recipe for homemade tartar sauce, an essential condiment that complements the fish perfectly. Elevate your culinary experience with this tangy and creamy sauce, adding a burst of flavor to each bite.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this comprehensive guide to Southern-Style Golden Fried Fish is your passport to creating a memorable meal. Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of the South and treat your loved ones to this iconic dish.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHERN FRIED FISH

Southern Fried Fish image

This extra crispy fried fish recipe is one of my go-tos whenever I have family and friends over for a visit and to share a good meal. You can also use this on shrimp, but here in Savannah, our favorite fish to fry are whiting and flounder. The batter is light and flavorful and the fish is perfect as an accompaniment to any vegetable or as a sandwich. I like to add a dash of hot sauce and have yellow mustard on hand for dipping.

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/3 cup rice flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil
4 fish fillets, such as whiting or flounder, 6 to 8 ounces each
Hot sauce, to taste

Steps:

In a medium bowl, combine the rice flour, Creole seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder smoked paprika and yellow cornmeal, and whisk together until evenly mixed. Add the seasoned cornmeal to a large piece of wax paper.
Heat the oil in a large, deep cast-iron skillet until at least 325 degrees F (or add a few drops of cornmeal and if it sizzles, it's ready to start frying).
Rinse off the fish fillets and place in a large baking dish. Shake a few drops of hot sauce on both sides of 2 of the fish fillets, then coat both sides with the seasoned cornmeal. Fry the coated fillets in the hot oil, without turning, until the edges turn brown, about 4 minutes. Flip over and fry about another 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel or wire rack. Repeat the coating and frying with the remaining 2 fillets.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

Southern Fried Catfish image

Fried catfish is a Southern tradition, along with buttermilk hush puppies and buttermilk coleslaw. Try these traditional foods together.

Provided by Mama Smith

Categories Seafood Fish Catfish

Time 30m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

½ cup buttermilk
½ cup water
salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound catfish fillets, cut in strips
1 ½ cups fine cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying

Steps:

In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.
In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1427.2 calories, Carbohydrate 131.6 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 78.6 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 45.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.2 g, Sodium 799.9 mg, Sugar 5.9 g

SOUTHERN STYLE GOLDEN FRIED FISH

Southern Style Golden Fried Fish image

Living on the coast of North Carolina, we have access to some wonderful, local fresh fish. I love flounder filets, virginia mullet and all of the other fresh catches that come in. We love Calabash style seafood and this fried fish is excellent! Just serve with hushpuppies, cole slaw and baked potato for a wonderful, coastal...

Provided by Elaine Bovender

Categories Other Main Dishes

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 lb your favorite fresh fish filets (you can use flounder, white fish, perch or whatever you like. i used virginia mullet in the picture).
1/2 to 3/4 c buttermilk
1/2 c *self rising flour
1/2 c *self rising white cornmeal (not mix)
1/4 tsp old bay seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
oil for frying
*self rising flour and cornmeal seems to give a lighter coating and adheres well.

Steps:

1. Pour buttermilk in shallow bowl. Add fish filets, turning to coat. Refrigerate for about one hour.
2. Mix together flour, cornmeal and seasonings. Remove fish from refrigerator. Shake off excess buttermilk. Roll fish in seasoned corn meal mixture.
3. Heat oil in deep fryer to about 375 degrees. Drop fish pieces in hot oil and deep fry for about 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with additional salt/pepper, if desired and serve hot with hushpuppies, slaw and your favorite potato.

Tips:

Choose the right fish: For best results, select a firm-fleshed fish with a mild flavor, such as tilapia, catfish, or cod.
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better tasting your fried fish will be.
Season your fish properly: Don't be afraid to season your fish with your favorite spices and herbs. You can also use a store-bought fish seasoning mix.
Make sure your fish is dry before frying: If your fish is wet, the batter will not adhere properly and the fish will not cook evenly.
Use a good quality frying oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
Fry the fish in small batches: Do not overcrowd the pan, otherwise the fish will not cook evenly.
Cook the fish until it is golden brown and flaky: The fish is done cooking when it flakes easily with a fork.
Serve the fish immediately with your favorite sides: Fried fish is best served hot with tartar sauce, coleslaw, and french fries.

Conclusion:

Southern-style golden fried fish is a classic dish that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. By following these tips, you can make sure your fried fish turns out perfect every time. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!