Spiced Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp

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

A classic New Orleans po’boy featuring crunchy fried shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, served on a crusty French roll with tangy remoulade. This cajun-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 45 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, buttermilk, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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: 30 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Cajun cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp in 1 cup buttermilk and let marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 2 tsp Cajun seasoning. Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture to coat evenly.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches, about 2-3 minutes per batch, until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer shrimp to paper towels to drain.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 1 tsp lemon juice to make remoulade sauce.
  5. Step 5: Slice 4 French rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread remoulade sauce generously inside each roll.
  6. Step 6: Layer 2 cups shredded lettuce, slices from 1 medium tomato, 1/2 cup pickle slices, and a generous portion of fried shrimp inside each roll.
  7. Step 7: Serve po’boys immediately while shrimp are hot and crispy.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (30 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp?

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 buttermilk from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp?

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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp 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 Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp?

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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