Spicy Cajun Po’Boy with Crispy Fried Shrimp
A traditional New Orleans sandwich loaded with crunchy fried shrimp, spicy remoulade, and fresh vegetables on a crusty French roll. This creole-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 35 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 620 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.
Ingredients
- 16, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 cups, for frying vegetable oil
- 4 French rolls
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup sliced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, sliced pickles
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a separate bowl, pour 1 cup buttermilk.
- Step 2: Dip each of the 16 peeled and deveined large shrimp first into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Step 3: 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 crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp hot sauce to create a spicy remoulade.
- Step 5: Slice 4 French rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread a generous layer of spicy remoulade inside each roll.
- Step 6: Layer each roll with 4 fried shrimp, 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, 1/4 cup sliced tomatoes, and 2 tbsp sliced pickles. Close sandwiches and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Cajun Po’Boy with Crispy Fried Shrimp 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 Spicy Cajun Po’Boy 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 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 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 with Crispy Fried Shrimp?
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.
