Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic New Orleans po'boy sandwich with crispy fried catfish, dressed with a spicy remoulade and fresh lettuce on a French roll. This creole-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 40 minutes pairs (4 oz each) 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: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Creole cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornmeal, and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. In a separate bowl, pour 1 1/2 cups buttermilk.
  2. Step 2: Dip each 4 catfish fillets first into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the cornmeal-flour mixture until well coated.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven 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: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika to make a spicy remoulade sauce.
  5. Step 5: Slice 4 French rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread a generous 2 tbsp of remoulade sauce on each roll.
  6. Step 6: Layer 2 leaves of lettuce, 2-3 slices of tomato, fried catfish fillets, and 1 tbsp sliced pickles on each sandwich. Close sandwiches and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish 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 Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish?

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 (4 oz each) catfish fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish?

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 Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish 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 Spiced Cajun Po'Boy Sandwich with Fried Catfish?

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.

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