A Friday night fish fry is always worth gathering for, especially when the menu includes freshly fried catfish, perch, or shrimp served with homemade tartar sauce. Add crisp coleslaw, creamy potato salad, warm cornbread, and a sweet dessert, and you have a classic Southern-style meal that feels both casual and special. If you want to give the spread a Midwestern touch, serve golden potato pancakes with applesauce on the side.
Cornmeal-Crusted Fried Catfish
Southern Fried Catfish is one of the most beloved fish fry recipes in Southern cooking. Fresh catfish fillets are coated in a well-seasoned cornmeal breading, then fried until the outside is crisp and golden while the fish stays tender and flaky inside. It is simple, satisfying, and perfect for serving with classic fish fry sides.
Get the Recipe: Fried Catfish
Fried Shrimp
These Southern Fried Shrimp are battered and fried until crunchy, golden, and delicious. They work beautifully as an appetizer, a seafood platter addition, or a main dish for a casual dinner. Serve them hot with homemade tartar sauce or remoulade for a flavorful dipping sauce that complements the crisp coating.
Get the Recipe: Deep Fried Shrimp
Beer Battered Fish
This Beer Battered Fish recipe is a proven favorite, with nearly a million page views and more than 340 five-star reviews. The light, crisp batter makes it a great choice when you want fried fish that feels airy instead of heavy. Use it for your favorite fish and serve it with fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.
Get the Recipe: Beer Battered Fish
Cornmeal Fish Fry Mix
A good fish fry starts with the right coating, and this fish fry recipe gives you a seasoned cornmeal breading that is ready whenever fresh fish is on the menu. The mix helps create crispy, golden-brown fillets with classic Southern flavor, making it useful for catfish, perch, or other favorite fish.
Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Fish Fry Mix
Tartar Sauce
This easy Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe is a must-have for fried fish, fried shrimp, and seafood baskets. Its creamy, tangy flavor balances crunchy breading and rich fried seafood. Keep it chilled until serving, then spoon it into a small bowl for dipping alongside your favorite fish fry recipes.
Get the Recipe: Tartar Sauce
Creole Remoulade Sauce
Creole Remoulade Sauce brings together creamy mayonnaise, Creole mustard, dill pickles, and horseradish for a bold, tangy seafood sauce. It adds a lively kick to fried shrimp, catfish, crab cakes, and other seafood dishes. If you want an alternative to tartar sauce, remoulade is a flavorful choice.
Get the Recipe: Creole Remoulade Sauce
Deviled Eggs with Diced Pickles
These Easy Deviled Eggs have a fluffy, creamy filling with a tangy bite from diced pickles. They are quick to prepare, easy to serve, and always welcome at parties, cookouts, and fish fry dinners. Add them to the table as a classic Southern appetizer or simple side dish.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Diced Pickles
Potato Pancakes
Potato Pancakes are an old-fashioned potato recipe that works as a light dinner, a savory side dish, or even a breakfast option. Serve this classic German-style recipe with sour cream and green onion, or go sweet with applesauce or jam. They are especially good alongside fried fish for a hearty Midwestern-inspired plate.
Get the Recipe: Potato Pancakes
Southern Potato Salad
This Southern Potato Salad is made with hard-boiled eggs, pickles, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. A sprinkle of Creole seasoning gives it a flavorful finishing touch. It is a summertime favorite and a natural fit for cookouts, seafood dinners, and Southern fish fry menus.
Get the Recipe: Southern Potato Salad
Southern Coleslaw
This Creamy Southern Coleslaw is a simple side dish with plenty of crunch and flavor. Fresh cabbage is tossed with a sweet and tangy dressing, creating the kind of coleslaw that belongs next to fried catfish, shrimp, cornbread, and potato salad. It is a refreshing contrast to crispy fried seafood.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw Recipe
Southern Cornbread
This Classic Southern Cornbread Recipe uses yellow cornmeal and buttermilk to highlight the natural flavor of corn without added sugar. Cooked in a cast iron skillet with bacon drippings or butter, it develops crisp edges and a tender center. Serve it warm with your favorite fish fry sides.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Recipe
Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting
Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting are soft, fluffy, and sweet, almost like enjoying the frosted top of a cupcake. The tender cookie base pairs with creamy honey buttercream for a dessert that feels light but still satisfying. They make a charming finish to a casual fish fry or Southern dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting
Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk
Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk is a rich, moist chocolate cake topped with gooey fudge frosting. It is quick to make and ideal for feeding a crowd, which makes it a great dessert for potlucks, cookouts, and Friday night fish fry gatherings. Slice it into squares and serve it after the seafood and sides.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk