Any Southern beach town overlooking the Gulf of Mexico should have a few places that make a great fried grouper sandwich. But if traveling isn’t on the agenda, make this Gulf Coast favorite at home.

This sandwich would be great with another Southern classic, Key lime pie. Try our Key Lime Pie recipe.

  • Yield: 4 sandwiches
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Total: 45 minutes
  • Active: 45

Ingredients (15)

  • canola or corn oil for deep-frying
  • 1 (16-ounce) beer, bottled
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • kosher salt
  • 2 pounds grouper fillets, cut into 4 pieces
  • black pepper, freshly ground
  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted
  • ½ cup tartar sauce
  • 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
  • iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • dill pickle chips
  • hot sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 3 inches of oil to 370°F. Preheat the oven to 225°F.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the beer, egg, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  3. Dry the fish with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dip the fillets in the batter, then carefully lower into the oil. Fry for about 6 minutes, turning as necessary. When they’re golden brown, remove to a paper towel–lined baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while the rest of the fish fries.
  4. Open the toasted buns and slather the bottoms with tartar sauce. Add a fish fillet to each sandwich and top with tomato, lettuce, and pickles. Have a bottle of hot sauce handy and serve with fries and a sunset. Experience American happiness.