Crispy, crunchy shrimp piled mile-high on a buttered, toasted French roll makes a soul-satisfying shrimp po’ boy sandwich. Stuff that with crunchy cabbage, fresh tomatoes, and a lip-smacking homemade remoulade sauce for a crazy delicious lunch!
Shrimp po’ boys are quintessential sandwiches in New Orleans cuisine – hands down. I ate my favorite sandwich shamelessly when I went to the French Quarters during my pregnancy. I long for those days, but it ain’t happening now.
This shrimp po’ boy recipe made with battered shrimp, toasted garlic French roll, refreshing lettuce, and tomatoes is irresistible. The creamy remoulade sauce tops all the goodness inside. I tell you, it doesn’t get better than this!
Content… What Is an Authentic Po’ Boy? |
What Is an Authentic Po’ Boy?
Po’boy is a popular sandwich from Louisiana. Traditionally served on a French baguette with a crisp crust and soft and light center. Traditional stuffings include roast beef and fried seafood such as shrimp, crab, oyster, and fish.
How to Make Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich
The Shrimp
- Preheat a deep-fryer to 375℉ (190℃) or a large saucepan filled about halfway with vegetable oil for frying.
- Mix the cornmeal, flour, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. (Photo 1)
- Combine buttermilk and eggs and set next to your breading mix. (Photo 2)
- Dip the peeled and deveined shrimp in the buttermilk mixture and lightly roll in the flour mixture. (Photos 3-4)
- Fry the breaded shrimp in the hot oil a few at a time until golden brown and crispy. It takes 3-4 minutes or more, depending on the size. These giant shrimp took about 6 minutes. (Photo 5)
- Drain – Remove from the fryer with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with a paper towel to ensure crispness. Repeat with the remaining shrimp. (Photo 6)
The Sandwich
- Remoulade – Combine lemon juice, mayonnaise, garlic, relish, green onions, mustard, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper in a serving bowl. Cover with plastic wrap to let the flavors mellow. Store in the refrigerator for about an hour before assembling the sandwiches.
- Toast – Slice the French bread rolls in half lengthwise, and toast them in the oven until lightly browned.
- Garlic Butter – While the bread is toasting, combine crushed garlic and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about a minute or until the butter melts.
- Assemble – Slather it on the toasted bread. Layer the fried shrimp, sliced cabbage or shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and drizzle with remoulade sauce. Sliced dill pickles or jalapenos also make tasty toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Traditional filling options include roast beef, ham, crawfish, fried catfish, alligator, fried chicken, and sausage are all good. Even duck and rabbit are fairly common.
- Smoked oysters are another taste of the ocean to ramp up your po’ boy sandwiches.
- Blackened shrimp delivers a flavor variation to the Cajun fried shrimp.
- Pan-seared salmon levels up your sandwich into a fancy salmon po’boy. This one is sure to be a new crowd-favorite in no time.
Make-Ahead and Leftovers
The key to successfully making ahead and storing leftover sandwich ingredients is to store them separately to keep them fresh.
- Bread. Wrap it in foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Toast fresh and slather with garlic butter or remoulade sauce when ready to satisfy your craving.
- Shrimp. Refrigerate or freeze them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for 2-3 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer right before assembly.
- Remoulade sauce. This delicious sauce should stay fresh in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
What Shrimp Po’ Boys Love Being With
Though the shrimp po’boy sandwich is already a complete meal, they’re even better with traditional sides. Southern potato salad, hush puppies (or Cajun fries), and a hearty helping of fried okra are incredible.
More Easy Southern Bites To Try
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”NrkaXyO7″ upload-date=”2020-09-05T07:05:07.000Z” name=”Shrimp po’ boy Sandwich” description=”Shrimp po’ boy sandwich- Crispy, crunchy shrimp piled mile high on a buttered toasted french roll, stuffed with crunchy cabbage, fresh tomatoes – drizzled with a lip smacking remoulade sauce. Crazy delicious!!!!” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”]
This post was first published in April 2017 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
Loni says
Okay, this recipe is on point! The delicate balance of the seasoning for the shrimp breading is game changing. Then the sauce? Absolutely my new addiction. Add all of those flavors to crispy shrimp and top with tomatoes and cabbage and serve in a garlic, buttery roll? Stop it! I’m in love
Imma says
hahaha, So Glad you love it, Loni! Thank you for the feedback!
Stephanie says
Wow! Absolutely delicious! Breading on the shrimp was perfect as was the remoulade sauce. Will definitely make again.
imma africanbites says
Thank you for trying them out, Stephanie. I’m so happy that you like them.
Elizabeth says
I made this tonight we all thought it was great. My husband and Son thought that it needed Cajun seasoning in the flour mixture. Forgot the lettuce but had onions and they went great on the sandwich
Immaculate Bites says
Yum! Thanks so much, Elizabeth! 🙂
Annette says
If I could give this recipe 10 stars, I would!!! The shrimp was delicious and the sauce was WOW!!!!! I’ll make that sauce for fish in the future too, not just for the po’ boys. Thank you for a fabulous and flavorful recipe.
Immaculate Bites says
Wow thank you so much, Annette! Glad to know that you loved this! 🙂
Rose says
I can’t wait to try this out this weekend, it’s one of my favorites every time I go to NOLA! I’m curious if this can be air-fried, or would I have to change the batter up at all? I just got an air-fryer so I’m on a kick with it, trying out everything!
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Rose! No need to change the batter, just spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, put the shrimp in and spritz the shrimp with oil. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy! 🙂
Stacy says
Can this recipe be baked?
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Stacy! I haven’t tried baking this but if you wanted to bake the shrimp instead of frying, you may want to keep an eye out for the temp and baking time. Please share how it turns out 🙂 Enjoy!
Lori H says
I made these for dinner tonight and my family LOVED them! My husband actually said he was going to the store tomorrow to buy more shrimp! Quick and easy recipe that the embryos family enjoyed!
Immaculate Bites says
That is great to know, Lori! 🙂 Thank you!