Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich
A lively sandwich featuring spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp nestled in a crusty French roll with crisp lettuce and tangy remoulade sauce. This southern-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 25 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, Cajun seasoning, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 pieces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 French rolls
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 medium ripe tomato, sliced
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. In another bowl, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk. Dip each of the 12 large shrimp first into the buttermilk, then dredge in the seasoned flour, coating evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Carefully fry the coated shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth to create the remoulade sauce.
- Step 4: Slice 2 French rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread a generous layer of remoulade sauce inside each roll. Layer 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce and 3-4 tomato slices evenly on each.
- Step 5: Arrange 6 fried shrimp inside each roll over the lettuce and tomato. Close the sandwich and press gently. Serve immediately while shrimp are crispy and warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cajun seasoning from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich?
Southern sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.