Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and Remoulade Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional New Orleans po’boy featuring crispy fried catfish fillets layered on a crusty French roll with tangy remoulade and crisp lettuce. This Creole-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 600 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Creole cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another bowl.
  2. Step 2: Dip each 1 lb catfish fillet portion first into buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry the coated catfish fillets in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: To make remoulade sauce, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp prepared horseradish, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 finely chopped green onions in a bowl; mix until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Split 4 French bread rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through and lightly toast them.
  6. Step 6: Spread a generous amount of remoulade sauce on both sides of each roll. Layer with 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, fried catfish fillets, and 1 sliced medium tomato. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish and Remoulade Sauce?

Creole 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.