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Blackened Flounder

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Deb Belsha
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Blackened flounder fillets are tender and flakey on the inside and browned and crispy on the outside. Seasoned with a spice combination that is smokey and a bit spicy, the flounder will be extra special served with a smoky cajun sauce.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Cajun Sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 -2 teaspoons chili powder (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Blackened Flounder

  • 5 - 4 ounce flounder fillets, defrosted in refrigerator if frozen
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning *

Instructions

Sauce

  1. Pour all cajun sauce ingredients into a mini food processor or food bullet (if using).  Pulse until sauce is smooth.  Or you can pour into a small bowl and use a whisk to mix ingredients.  You can serve with the flounder right away or make it ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.*

1. Stir together the seasonings.  Pat the fillets dry, rub each with some olive oil and press the seasonings onto the top an bottom of fish.

2. Heat a cast iron or other skillet over medium-high heat.  Place butter in pan and swirl around.  Place fish in skillet and cook for 3 minutes.  If pan begins to smoke, turn down heat to medium or low-medium.  But you do want the fish to brown on each side.

3.  Don't move the fish for at least 3 minutes.  Use a metal spatula and slide underneath to flip over.  If the fish is sticking, let it cook another 1-2 minutes.

3. The flounder is done when it is golden brown and flaky.  An internal meat thermometer registers at least 145°F.  


Notes

*If you don't have Old Bay seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon each:  celery salt, paprika, onion powder, chili powder.  Taste the sauce before serving and add more spice if you prefer.

*When using defrosted frozen fish, pat the fillets dry before pressing on the seasonings.

*Flounder cooks quickly.  Test it at the earliest estimate with an internal meat thermometer.  Cook an extra 1-2 minutes if needed.

*The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days.  Use on a sandwich, burger, dip for veggies or on a salad.

*Leftover flounder will keep for up to two days.  Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or in a low-medium hot pan until hot.  You can freeze it in an airtight container for 1 month.  Defrost in refrigerator overnight and reheat as above.

*The nutrition was calculated with about 2 tablespoons of sauce per piece of flounder.  The numbers will change based on using more or less sauce.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 294
  • Sodium: 1516mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.5g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Cholesterol: 88mg