This Fried Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich Recipe originates from Louisiana and is served on a French bread baguette with lettuce and tomatoes. No need to venture out to Nola or to Popeyes for this Cajun and Creole treat!
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This post was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated.
Table of Contents
What is a Po' Boy? What's on the Sandwich?
A po boy is a traditional sandwich from Louisiana. I have always enjoyed them while visiting New Orleans. It usually includes fried seafood like shrimp, crawfish, or crab. I have also seen it with roast beef. It's served on French bread along with tomatoes, lettuce, and remoulade sauce.
You can pan/deep fry these or for a healthy option, you can throw the shrimp in the air fryer!
Why Do They Call it a Po' Boy?
Some theories say it comes from a 1929 strike in Louisiana against a street car company. The street car company fed their colleagues free sandwiches, referred to as poor boys, spoken a "po" taking into account the dialect.
What Type of Shrimp to Use
Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc.
I never use pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make, just buy it raw.
Always look for deveined, that's my preference. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is the digestive intestinal tract. Is this shrimp poop, yes.
You can buy it with the vein and remove it using a sharp paring knife to make a slit along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of the knife.
I like to buy large shrimp, that's my preference. If you want to bite into the sandwich and grab an entire shrimp, go for medium-sized.
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What Type of Bread to Use
The fried goodness is usually served on French bread or a baguette. The bread is usually toasted and crunchy. Trust me. Prepared correctly, the sandwich is everything and more!
Why Buttermilk
The key to tasty shrimp lies in the marinade. I always marinate my shrimp in advance. Because the shrimp in this recipe is fried, you will want to marinate the shrimp in buttermilk or whatever you prefer to use as a brine, in addition to your seasoning.
The buttermilk will then adhere to the fish fry that is used to create crunchy shrimp.
How to Substitute Buttermilk
You can use a beaten egg instead. Skip the marinating steps.
Remoulade Sauce
What is remoulade sauce? The sauce is mayo-based. Let me stop here. If you are one of those people who hate mayo, I encourage you to try it anyway! It has garlic, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a few other things that you will see below. The sauce pairs perfectly with seafood.
More Creole and Cajun Recipes
Instant Pot Gumbo
Shrimp Etouffee
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits
Blackened Fish Tacos
More Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Egg Rolls
Shrimp Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Grilled Cedar Plank Shrimp
Shrimp Avocado Salad
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Jerk Shrimp Recipe
Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto
Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Fried Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, deveined
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning I used Tony Chachere
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup Louisiana Fish Fry Coating
- cooking oil spray (if air frying) I use olive oil
- canola or vegetable oil (if pan frying) You will need enough oil to fill 2 inches of height in your frying pan.
- 4 French bread hoagie rolls I used 2 loaves, cut each in half
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 8 tomato slices
Remoulade Sauce
- ½ cup mayo I used reduced-fat
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ lemon juice of
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning I used Tony Chachere
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 green onion chopped
Instructions
Remoulade Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate prior to serving while the shrimp cooks.
Shrimp and Breading
- Marinate the shrimp in the Creole seasoning and buttermilk for 30 minutes. I like to use a sealable plastic bag to do this.
- Add the fish fry to a bowl. Remove the shrimp from the bags and dip each into the fish fry. Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket.
Pan Fry
- Heat a frying pan with 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees. Use a thermometer to test the heat.
- Fry the shrimp on both sides for 3-4 minutes until crisp.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and drain the excess grease using paper towels.
Air Fryer
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket.
- Spritz the shrimp with cooking oil.
- Cook the shrimp for 5 minutes on 400 degrees. Open the basket and flip the shrimp to the other side. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until crisp.
Assemble the Po Boy
- Spread the remoulade sauce on the French bread. Add the sliced tomato and lettuce, and then the shrimp.
Shannon says
This is a staple in my household. Super easy and always tasty. I have made it several times without marinating for as long when short on time and by using an egg (listed as a substitute) when I didn’t have buttermilk on hand. Both have turned out well. Would 100% recommend you put it in your rotation!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoy the recipe!
Sarah says
So freaking good! Brandi never disappoints!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Dia says
This recipe is so good! The shrimp are very flavorful and crispy! I’ll definitely be making these po’ boys again soon. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
This is a great one! Glad you enjoyed it.
Kristal De La Paz says
Perfect sandwich full of flavor!
staysnatched says
I love to hear that!
Felicia says
This recipe was so easy to make! Next time I will get larger shrimp. I don’t put Mayo on sandwiches ever. But Brandi said trust her and try the sauce. It was so good and definitely added another level to the sandwich. My husband literally started dipping his sandwich in it to get the extra sauce on the plate.
Definitely adding this to my menu rotation!
staysnatched says
I’m so glad you tried it!