I love how the perfectly seasoned, crispy fried shrimp are absolutely piled high on French bread, along with fresh veggies and tangy remoulade sauce. It’s a New Orleans classic that can be found in restaurants all over the Big Easy, and now I can make this incredible sandwich right in my own kitchen… There’s just something special about the Cajun and Creole cuisines of Louisiana. From simple Red Beans and Rice to more elaborate dishes like Grillades and Grits, all of their food is extra delicious. On our trip to New Orleans last year, I sampled tons of great foods, many of which have since found their way onto GypsyPlate. But the one thing my eyes drifted to the most on menus was the famous shrimp po’ boy.
What is a Po’ Boy?
A po’ boy is a popular sandwich from Louisiana served on New Orleans French bread. Although the most well known variations are filled with fried seafood, they can also feature other meats such as roast beef or Cochon de Lait. What makes a po’ boy a po’ boy isn’t the filling, but the bread. They were first created by a restaurant in 1929, who gave them away free to striking railway workers. So the story goes, the restaurant workers referred to an incoming diner as “another poor boy”. Nowadays, the po’ boy, most commonly the fried shrimp variation, has spread all over the coastal southeast.
What Kind of Shrimp to Use
They’re proud of their Gulf shrimp in Louisiana, and for good reason. If you can find them in your seafood market, they are the best bet. Otherwise, go for any wild caught shrimp over farm raised, they taste much better. I prefer 21/25 shrimp for this sandwich. The size refers to the number of shrimp per pound, in this case 21-25. I make sure the shrimp are peeled and deveined, with tails removed, before frying.
Ingredients Needed
Shrimp Wet shrimp dredge – Buttermilk and hot sauce. Dry shrimp dredge – Flour, cornmeal, Creole seasoning, salt. Oil – For frying. Bread – Traditional New Orleans French bread has a crisp shell and a soft and fluffy interior. In it’s absence, I use a similar French bread. Remoulade sauce – Check out my Remoulade Sauce post for two variations, or see recipe card for the full list of ingredients for mayonnaise based remoulade. In a pinch, you can just use good quality mayo. Fixings – Lettuce and tomato, lemons for juice.
Shrimp Po’ Boy Recipe
- Make the remoulade sauce: First, I mix together all the sauce ingredients and refrigerate them in a covered container until I’m ready to use them.
- Fry the shrimp: I mix together the buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl, and on a separate plate, I mix the flour, cornmeal, 2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of salt. I heat oil, about 1 inch in depth, to 350°F in an electric skillet, or on the stovetop using an instant-read thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil. I season the shrimp with the remaining Creole seasoning and salt, then dredge them first in the wet mix, followed by the dry mix. I fry the shrimp until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes total, turning them once. I transfer the shrimp to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Assemble po’ boy: I slice the bread almost all the way through, then fold it flat. I slather remoulade sauce on both sides. Then, I pile it high with the fried shrimp and give them a good squeeze of lemon juice. I add on slices of tomato and lettuce, then close up the sandwich. Dig in!
Serving Suggestions
The perfect side for this shrimp po’ boy is my Creole Coleslaw. I also love it with my Macaroni Salad, Maque Choux (a Cajun corn dish), Southern Squash Casserole, Cajun Dirty Rice, or French fries.
Alpana’s Tips
I recommend making homemade Creole Seasoning. It only takes about 5 minutes. If you use store bought, look for a brand with lower sodium content, as some of them are mostly salt. I make sure not to skimp on the seasonings. Louisiana food is all about big, bold flavors. I use wild-caught shrimp for the best flavor and texture. I make the remoulade sauce ahead of time, but I always fry the shrimp right before serving to keep them crispy. When frying the shrimp, I avoid overcrowding the pan. I work in batches if necessary to ensure they all cook evenly. If the bread is dense, rather than soft and fluffy, I scoop some out to make more room for all those delicious shrimp.
So there you go, one epic sandwich! If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating a shrimp po’ boy, don’t wait, try my shrimp po’ boy in your own kitchen. It’s a mouthful, so bring a huge appetite! Save or pin this great recipe, so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you!
Shrimp Po’ Boy, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great shrimp recipes!Shrimp Creole with SausageSpicy Garlic ShrimpNew Orleans BBQ ShrimpAsopao de CamaronesLowcountry Shrimp & GritsShrimp fra DiavoloGambas al AjilloShrimp de Jonghe
