This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Heartland Catfish. All opinions are 100% my own.
Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce is an easy recipe that takes only minutes to make. The sauce is the perfect companion for the mild, sweet flavor of catfish.
Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce is an easy, but elegant dish. You can make it in just minutes, but it’s special enough to serve to company. Fresh lemon, thyme and garlic are the highlights of the creamy sauce, making it bold enough to be a highlight, but not overpower the mild, sweet taste of the fish.
Not just for frying
I know. We southerners do love our fried fish. Add some hush puppies, coleslaw and maybe a pot of cheese grits, and you’ve got a classic southern meal. But, our goal with this recipe is to get you to think outside the box about catfish. It is a delicious, sweet tasting fish and should rightfully be the backbone of many of your seafood meals.
A while back we made a Pecan Crusted version of fried from Skinny Southern by Lara Lyn Carter. You can get your own copy of her book by ordering through Amazon right here.
We’ve also got our own healthy version of the fish-fry type catfish. Air Fryer Catfish is crispy and delicious, without all the grease!
Heartland Catfish are raised in man-made fresh water ponds in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. They are fed grain-based, high protein floating feed, which produces consistent, top quality flavor year round.
Hey, are you getting our weekly updates? Sign up here to get a new recipe each Friday.
We pan-fried filets in a small amount of olive oil for our recipe, but catfish are also delicious baked, broiled and grilled. Let your imagination run wild with ways to prepare them. Tacos, dips and sandwiches are just a few of the recipes you can find on the Heartland site.
This post contains affiliate links. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy.
Tips for making Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce
- Use a non-stick skillet and cook the filets one at the time for ease in handling
- Be sure to let the sauce cool a bit before adding the cream
- Get the most juice out of your lemons by using this handy tool. It’s a favorite of ours.
- Whisk the flour and water or stock together to eliminate lumps using a mini whisk like this one.
- Cook the fish first and keep warm while you make the sauce, or do it the opposite. If you’re good at multi-tasking they can be done simultaneously.
- For measuring small amounts of liquids this is the greatest little tool to have in your kitchen.
Ways to serve catfish with creamy lemon butter sauce
Really, the ideas are endless. It’s perfectly scrumptious simply as you see it above and then add a salad on the side. But, you could also serve it over pasta or rice. Or, for a healthy meal how about over zoodles (spiralized zucchini noodles)? We had it over our favorite succotash recipe and it was filling healthy and colorful!
Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 filets catfish
- 1.5 teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ⅔ cup white wine
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons plain flour
- 4 Tablespoons water or chicken stock
Instructions
- Brush filets on both sides with olive oil and then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Put remaining olive oil in non-stick skillet and heat to medium-high.
- Cook filets one at a time about 3-4 minutes per side, or until fish is cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Melt butter in skillet over low heat. Add garlic and cook until garlic is fragrant and just starting to brown. Add wine, heat to boiling over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half.
- Take off heat and let cool about 3 minutes and then stir in lemon juice, cream, thyme and salt. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Stir flour and water or stock together with whisk until no lumps remain. Whisk into sauce and cook over medium low heat until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
- Ladle sauce onto plates and top with fish, or put fish on plates first and then add sauce. Garnish, if desired, with lemon slices and additional thyme.
Nutrition
Be sure to take of photo when you make this dish and tag us on Instagram and Facebook. We look seeing what you’re up to.
And, don’t forget, you can sign up here for your weekly updates!
More Recipes You’ll Love:
Natalie says
That sauce sounds really good. I must give it a try. We love fish for dinner in our family. This recipe will be something new and delicious to try. Thanks!
Pam says
Hope you enjoy, Natalie!
Tawnie K Kroll says
We rarely eat catfish so this recipe is inspiring me! Thank you!
Pam says
We have been re-educating ourselves about how lean and mild catfish is. Hope you’ll give it a try.
Alison says
I’ve never been a fan of fried fish which is why I haven’t made or eaten catfish in the past. This is a great option with a much healthier twist. Great seasoning!
Pam says
Thanks, Alison! We bet you’ll love it!
Julia says
Delicious dinner and so easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Pam says
Hope you enjoy, Julia!
Amy | The Cook Report says
I love a simple fish dinner like this and that sauce sounds amazing!
Pam says
Thanks so much, Amy!
James says
Made this sauce tonight over other fish (grouper and orange roughy) with jasmine rice. My wife said it was one of the best sauces she has ever had.
Pam says
Thanks so much James!
Susan Hadaway says
Delicious.
Pam says
Thanks so much, Susan!