Classic Shrimp Po Boy (Printable version)

Crispy fried shrimp, crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy mayo on a soft French roll.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ 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:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
02 - In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Dip shrimp into egg mixture, then dredge thoroughly in flour-cornmeal mixture.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C) to a depth of about 2 inches.
05 - Cook shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
06 - Slice French rolls lengthwise leaving a hinge intact.
07 - Optionally, stir hot sauce into mayonnaise and spread generously on both sides of the rolls.
08 - Layer shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and fried shrimp inside rolls. Add pickle slices if desired.
09 - Serve sandwiches immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shrimp gets impossibly crispy while staying tender inside, and you control exactly how much seasoning goes on.
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, making it perfect for impressing people on a weeknight.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about assembling each sandwich to your own taste, like you're building something that's entirely yours.
02 -
  • Your oil temperature is everything; if it's not hot enough, the shrimp will absorb grease instead of getting crispy, and you'll end up disappointed.
  • Don't bread the shrimp too far in advance or they'll get damp and the coating won't crisp up the way you want it to.
03 -
  • Keep your oil clean and at the right temperature, and you'll get crispy shrimp every single time.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon right before you eat it brightens everything up and keeps the whole sandwich from feeling heavy.
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