Lowcountry fish dish
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Lowcountry recipes for your fresh catch

Lowcountry Pan-Seared Flounder

Best with: Flounder

Easy

A simple, elegant preparation that lets the delicate flavor of fresh flounder shine. Serve over creamy grits for the full Lowcountry experience.

20 min
Serves 2
Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 flounder fillets (6-8 oz each)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Creamy grits for serving

Directions

  1. 1Pat fillets dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Old Bay.
  2. 2Heat butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. 3Place fillets skin-side up and cook 3-4 minutes until golden.
  4. 4Flip carefully, add garlic, and cook 2-3 more minutes.
  5. 5Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and garnish with parsley.
  6. 6Serve immediately over a bed of creamy stone-ground grits.

Blackened Red Drum Tacos

Best with: Red Drum

Easy

Red drum's firm, mild flesh is perfect for blackening. Wrapped in warm tortillas with a tangy slaw, this is pier-to-plate perfection.

25 min
Serves 4
Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 lb red drum fillets
  • 2 tbsp blackening seasoning
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup mayo mixed with sriracha
  • Lime wedges
  • Fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. 1Coat fillets generously with blackening seasoning on both sides.
  2. 2Heat a cast iron skillet to smoking hot. Add butter.
  3. 3Sear fillets 3 minutes per side until a dark crust forms.
  4. 4Let rest 2 minutes, then flake into large chunks.
  5. 5Warm tortillas and fill with fish, cabbage slaw, and spicy mayo.
  6. 6Squeeze lime over the top and garnish with cilantro.

Fried Spot with Hush Puppies

Best with: Spot

Medium

When spot run in the fall, this is the classic Grand Strand preparation. Whole fried spot with crispy hush puppies and coleslaw is a pier tradition.

30 min
Serves 4
Medium

Ingredients

  • 8-10 whole spot, cleaned and scaled
  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup flour
  • Old Bay seasoning
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Lemon wedges
  • Tartar sauce
  • Coleslaw for serving

Directions

  1. 1Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
  2. 2Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and Old Bay in a shallow dish.
  3. 3Score each spot with 2-3 diagonal cuts on each side.
  4. 4Dredge fish in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
  5. 5Fry in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
  6. 6Drain on paper towels, squeeze lemon, and serve with tartar sauce and slaw.

Grilled Spanish Mackerel with Herb Butter

Best with: Spanish Mackerel

Easy

Spanish mackerel's rich, oily flesh is ideal for grilling. The herb butter melts into the fish for an incredible flavor.

20 min
Serves 2
Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 Spanish mackerel fillets
  • 3 tbsp softened butter
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil for the grill

Directions

  1. 1Mix butter with dill, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
  2. 2Oil the grill grates and heat to medium-high.
  3. 3Brush fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. 4Grill skin-side down for 4-5 minutes without moving.
  5. 5Flip and grill 2-3 more minutes until fish flakes easily.
  6. 6Top with a generous pat of herb butter and a squeeze of lemon.

She-Crab Style Sheepshead Chowder

Best with: Sheepshead

Advanced

Sheepshead has a sweet, crab-like flavor that makes it perfect for this Lowcountry-inspired chowder. A hearty meal after a day on the pier.

45 min
Serves 6
Advanced

Ingredients

  • 1 lb sheepshead fillets, cubed
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups fish stock or clam juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Old Bay, thyme, bay leaf
  • Sherry (optional)

Directions

  1. 1Cook bacon in a Dutch oven until crispy. Remove and set aside.
  2. 2Sauté onion and celery in bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. 3Add potatoes, stock, Old Bay, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
  4. 4Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  5. 5Add sheepshead cubes and cook 5-7 minutes until fish is opaque.
  6. 6Stir in heavy cream and a splash of sherry. Season to taste.
  7. 7Serve topped with crumbled bacon and oyster crackers.

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