The Best Easy Blackened Catfish with Mango Salsa
A healthy and flavorful recipe for blackened catfish served with a fresh mango and avocado salsa. The catfish fillets are coated in a homemade blackened spice rub made with oregano, cumin, and paprika, then allowed to marinate briefly. They are pan-seared in a cast-iron skillet until cooked through and flaky. The dish is topped with a simple and refreshing salsa made from cubed mango and avocado, finely chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 1/4 teaspoons pepper, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 4 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1 medium mango, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the oregano, cumin, paprika, 2 teaspoons of the pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to create the seasoning blend. Rub this mixture all over the catfish fillets.
- Place the seasoned fillets in a dish, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the fish marinates, prepare the salsa. In a separate small bowl, combine the cubed mango, cubed avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Chill the salsa until you are ready to serve.
- In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the catfish fillets to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the cooked catfish fillets topped with the mango avocado salsa.
Notes
- Letting the catfish marinate in the dry rub for at least 30 minutes is a key step that allows the flavors to penetrate the fish.
- Using a cast-iron skillet is recommended for achieving a good ‘blackened’ sear on the fish.
- The fresh, cool salsa provides a perfect contrast to the warm, spiced fish.
Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/catfish-with-mango-salsa/