Spicy Cajun Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A Louisiana classic sandwich loaded with crispy fried shrimp, spicy remoulade, and fresh lettuce on a crusty French roll. This cajun-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 40 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, all-purpose flour, cornmeal 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Cajun cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to create a spicy remoulade sauce. Refrigerate until ready.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 2 tsp Cajun seasoning.
  3. Step 3: Dip 1 lb shrimp in 1 cup buttermilk, then dredge in the flour-cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat well.
  4. Step 4: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Step 5: Slice 4 French rolls lengthwise but not all the way through. Spread a generous amount of the spicy remoulade on each roll.
  6. Step 6: Layer each roll with 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/4 cup sliced tomatoes, 2 tbsp pickles, and a quarter of the fried shrimp.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately while shrimp are hot and crunchy.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Cajun Po’Boy Sandwich with Crispy Fried Shrimp 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 Spicy Cajun 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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Cajun 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 Spicy Cajun 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 Spicy Cajun 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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