Classic Louisiana Shrimp Po Boy (Printer-friendly)

Golden fried shrimp piled high on French rolls with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, and zesty mayo spread.

# What You Need:

→ For the Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 cup cornmeal
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
06 - 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
07 - 1/2 tsp paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ For the Sandwich Assembly

12 - 4 soft French rolls or hoagie buns
13 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
14 - 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
15 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
16 - 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
17 - 1 tbsp dill pickle slices (optional)
18 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until well combined.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
03 - Dip the shrimp into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the flour-cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to ensure a complete coating.
04 - Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat to 350°F, monitoring temperature with a kitchen thermometer.
05 - Fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
06 - Slice the French rolls open lengthwise, leaving one side attached to create a hinge.
07 - In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with hot sauce if using. Spread generously on both cut sides of each roll.
08 - Layer the bottom half of each roll with shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and fried shrimp. Add pickle slices if desired. Top with the remaining half of the roll.
09 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy cornmeal coating delivers that satisfying crunch in every single bite
  • It's easier than you think to get restaurant-quality fried shrimp at home
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan or your oil temperature will drop and you'll end up with soggy, greasy shrimp
  • Let the fried shrimp drain on paper towels for at least a minute before assembling, or the bread will get soggy instantly
03 -
  • Set up your breading station in order: shrimp, buttermilk mixture, flour mixture, then a clean plate for coated shrimp
  • Have your sandwich ingredients prepped and ready before you start frying, because everything comes together fast
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