Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce
Classic Southern fried catfish served in a crusty French roll with crisp lettuce, tomato, and a tangy remoulade sauce for a satisfying sandwich. This Southern-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, cornmeal, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb, cut into 4 strips catfish fillets
- 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
- 4, split French rolls
- 4 leaves leaf lettuce
- 1 large, sliced tomato
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped capers
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 1 lb catfish fillet strips into the buttermilk, coating well, and let soak for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: In a separate large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
- Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350°F.
- Step 4: Remove catfish strips from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Fry the catfish strips in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Step 6: To make remoulade sauce, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped capers, and 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions until smooth.
- Step 7: To assemble each sandwich, spread 2 tbsp remoulade sauce on the bottom half of a split French roll. Layer with 1 leaf of lettuce, 2-3 slices of tomato, and 2 fried catfish strips. Top with the roll’s other half and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce?
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 Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Fried Catfish Po'Boy Sandwich with Remoulade Sauce?
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.
