Fried Fish Sandwich with Pepper Slaw

A crispy fried fish sandwich featuring black bass fillets in a light, crispy batter, topped with a zesty pepper slaw and homemade tartar sauce. Served on toasted potato buns with fresh tomatoes, this sandwich combines crunchy, tangy, and savory flavors.

4 servings
1 hr 37 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ medium white onion
  • 1 large jalapeño
  • ½ medium poblano chile
  • piece cornichons
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley
  • 3 teaspoons capers
  • 2 teaspoons tomato powder
  • teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • teaspoon chili powder
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 3 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons tomato powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • cups club soda
  • 2 cups canola oil
  • 4 piece black bass fillets
  • 4 piece potato buns
  • 8 slices tomato

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Combine lemon and lime juice, hot sauce, olive oil, oregano, and salt in a large bowl. Add onion, jalapeño, and poblano chile and toss to combine. Let marinate at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour while you prepare the rest of the dish.

    60 min

  2. 2.

    Combine cornichons, mayonnaise, parsley, capers, tomato powder (if using), vinegar, chili powder, and salt in a small bowl.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk flour, cornstarch, oregano, onion powder, tomato powder (if using), garlic powder, and 3 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add club soda and quickly whisk to incorporate.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Pour canola oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1/4". Heat oil over medium-high until shimmering, hot, and an instant-read thermometer registers 350°F. Dip fish into batter to coat, shake off excess, then fry until golden, crispy, and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Work in batches if necessary and adjust the heat as needed to keep oil at 350°F. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt.

    20 min

  5. 5.

    Strain the slaw and discard liquid. Transfer slaw to a medium bowl.

    2 min

  6. 6.

    Spread 1 Tbsp. tartar sauce on both sides of each bun and place tomato slices on bottom halves. Divide fried fish and slaw among sandwiches and add top halves of buns.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Slaw can be made, strained, and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Tartar sauce can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.