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Shrimp Po Boys are the ultimate sandwich for seafood lovers! Tender shrimp drizzled with creamy, spicy sauce topped with crunchy cabbage on a soft roll.
Shrimp Po Boys
Do you want a quick and easy meal to add to your dinner rotation? Do you love seafood and Cajun flavors? Then, look no further than this shrimp po’boy recipe The spicy, buttery shrimp cooks up in just a couple of minutes. Additionally, the sauce couldn’t be simpler to mix together. These sandwiches practically make themselves, yet they pack such a flavorful punch. They’re sure to become a family favorite!
We love trying new sandwich recipes like this Shrimp Po Boy. Check out our full list of sandwich recipes, or our list of bread recipes so you can start your sandwich on a delicious slice of homemade bread. Some of our favorite sandwiches include the Ultimate BLT, Turkey Sandwich with Brie, and this delicious Chicken Pesto Sandwich.
What is a Shrimp Po Boy?
This Southern favorite originated in Louisiana in the late 1920s. Workers who were on strike against a streetcar company and they were given free fried shrimp sandwiches by a local restaurant. The restaurant employees nicknamed the strikers “poor boys” and so the name “Po Boy” caught on. Traditionally, this po boys recipe is a classic sub sandwich served on a soft baguette roll with meat, usually fried seafood (oysters, shrimp, catfish, etc.). On occasion, you’ll find it served with beef or chicken.
How Do I Prepare the Shrimp for a Po Boy Sandwich?
Typically, the seafood is breaded and deep fried. You can bread it in cornmeal and a flour mixture, and cook in batches, frying in hot vegetable oil until the shrimp is golden brown and dry on paper towels.
For this recipe however, we just grilled up some shrimp using butter, garlic and a spicy kick of Creole seasoning. If you don’t have Creole Seasoning in your kitchen – you are missing out! Our favorite is Tony Chahere’s Creole Seasoning.
You could also try seasoning your shrimp with a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, a little dash of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, Cajun seasoning, onion powder or spicy brown mustard.
The Secret’s in the Sauce
Smooth, creamy sauce atop the tender shrimp takes these sandwiches to the next level. Essentially, all it takes are just a few pantry staples including mayo, ketchup, and some spices. You won’t believe how delicious! Serve this sandwich, hot or cold, alongside some Baked Potato Wedges and use the sauce as a dip. When I make this recipe I first make the sauce. Then, I put it in the fridge while I make the rest of the meal. That way, the flavors have a chance to incorporate together. Top your sandwich with some crisp iceberg lettuce and fresh tomato too.
Other Favorite Recipes from New Orleans
As you can see from these Shrimp Po Boys, we are big fans of the delicious flavors in the deep South; so make sure to try some of our yummy copycat recipes from our visits there:
- Mini Beignets
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Mint Juleps
- Cajun Chicken Po’ Boys
- Pecan Pralines
- Creole Butter Shrimp
- Jambalaya
- Cajun Style Grill Foil Packets
- One Pot Jambalaya Pasta
- Red Beans and Rice
If you are looking for another shrimp recipe from the other side of the map, try our Shrimp Tempura Rolls!
Shrimp Po Boy with Creamy Cajun Sauce
Video
Ingredients
For the Creamy Cajun Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise Best Foods or Hellmann’s
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons horseradish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ to 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning depending on how spicy you like it
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the shrimp:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound shrimp medium to large, uncooked, peeled and deveined
- Creole seasoning to taste
- 4 hoagie rolls Bratwurst buns work great too
- shredded cabbage
Instructions
- Combine sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add butter and garlic. When butter is hot and melted, add shrimp. Sprinkle Creole seasoning over the shrimp. It can be a little spicy so only sprinkle to your personal taste. When shrimp is pink all the way through, remove it from heat. Do not overcook.
- Split rolls open and divide shrimp evenly between each roll. Top with the creamy Cajun sauce and shredded cabbage, to taste. ENJOY!
Nutrition Information
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This sounds great. Thanks for the idea and recipe.
Also, if you want to do this New Orleans style, definitely not cabbage…iceberg lettuce.
Recipe sounds delish & I will try it out. It seems like a healthier alternative from the typical fried shrimp po’boy recipe. My only disagreement is using Tony Chahere’s seasoning. In my opinion it is way, way too salty. I’m from New Orleans & I will never use that seasoning. I suggest: Google Emeril’s creole seasoning recipe, or buy another store bought brand that’s not overly salty.
I recently saw a Chef from NOLA (Kevin Belton) make these on TV, and he used Iceberg Lettuce NOT Cabbage, & he also added sliced tomatoes & thinly sliced Red Onion (separated into rings). He used used sub buns, which were crunchy on top. I don’t however, remember whether he used a special kind of sauce, or plain Mayo? Just sayin’……
Delicious. The whole family loved it. Question: can I freeze the extras? The recipe made too much for us. Thanks
I haven’t tried freezing the leftovers. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Is it horseradish sauce or plain horseradish?
Horseradish sauce!
These are delicious! The creamy cajun sauce is so good on everything!
Really good on fries, too!
My husband could never turn down a delicious shrimp po boy! We both love this quick easy recipe!
Your recipe lists cabbage as an ingredient; however, your video shows you shredding iceberg lettuce. I would prefer lettuce.
Yummy! I love visiting the south and eating ALL the delicious foods. So glad I can have this authentic tasting meal at home… without the travel. IT’s SO good.
You say cabbage, but that sure looks like iceberg lettuce in the video!
I love the creamy Cajun sauce! Such a delicious po boy!
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite recipe in my home!
This looks so yummy! I am not usually a fan of horseradish sauce at least by itself. I’m thinking the sauce would be missing some of its flavor without it. Well, of course it would! But do you think it would be okay to cut back on it just a bit?
Yes, if it’s not a taste you love, limit in the sauce or leave it out completely. You will still get a delicious Cajun flavor from the seasonings.
We loved it! The sauce is amazing! Will make this again.
YUM! Love a good Shrimp Po Boy and this one is complete perfection! You got all of the spices just right. Thanks so much for sharing!
Just looking at these pictures I am hungryyy!! I need to try this out today – off to the store!