Classic Shrimp Po Boy (Printable)

Golden fried shrimp with fresh vegetables and creamy mayonnaise served on soft French rolls for authentic Louisiana flavor.

# 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

# Directions:

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.
03 - Dip each shrimp into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the flour-cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to adhere coating evenly.
04 - Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat to 350°F, maintaining temperature throughout frying.
05 - Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel-lined plate.
06 - Slice the French rolls open lengthwise, leaving one side attached as 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 shredded lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by tomato slices, fried shrimp, and pickle slices if desired. Close with top of the roll.
09 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy fried shrimp and cool, crisp vegetables is absolutely addictive
  • That creamy-spicy mayo ties everything together like a warm embrace
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the shrimp on paper towels, otherwise your bread gets soggy fast
  • Slicing the rolls with a hinge instead of all the way through keeps everything from sliding out the back
03 -
  • Line your plate with paper towels before you start frying so you're ready to drain immediately
  • If you're making a big batch, keep the fried shrimp warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest
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