Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic New Orleans po’boys filled with crispy shrimp tossed in garlic butter, served on crusty French bread with fresh lettuce and pickles. This cajun-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 40 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, all-purpose flour, cornmeal for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Cajun cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour 1 cup buttermilk into a separate bowl.
  2. Step 2: Dip 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Repeat for all shrimp and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, then toss the fried shrimp in the garlic butter to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Split and lightly toast 4 French bread rolls. Spread 1/8 cup mayonnaise mixed with 1 tbsp hot sauce evenly on each roll’s cut sides.
  6. Step 6: Fill each roll with 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/4 cup sliced dill pickles, and a quarter of the garlic butter shrimp. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches?

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 Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches 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 Garlic Butter Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwiches?

Cajun 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.

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