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5.0 from 24 votes

Fried Catfish Po-Boy

This Fried Catfish Po-Boy is about as classic New Orleans cuisine as it comes. You can of course go with fried shrimp, or whatever you like...but we love it with classic Southern fried catfish! Be sure to make the Cajun remoulade! It can be made several days in advance.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 427 kcal
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Do Ahead
  • Cajun Remoulade sauce
For the Coleslaw
  • 3 cups coleslaw mix about 8 ounces
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
For the Fried Catfish
  • vegetable oil Enough for 1 to 2 inches in a sturdy skillet
  • 4 oz catfish fillets skinned
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup cornmeal fine or medium ground, not too coarse
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Sandwich
  • 4 long soft-crust Italian rolls split
  • 1 cup Cajun Remoulade
  • ½ cup sandwich pickles sliced
  • 3 large tomatoes sliced
  • Louisiana hot sauce for serving
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Make the Cajun Remoulade Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare the Cajun remoulade sauce. Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to use. Can be made 3 days in advance.
Make the Coleslaw
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and celery seed.
  2. Place the slaw mix (dry ingredients only) in a medium-sized bowl. Add the dressing and stir until fully coated. Set aside. If not used within an hour, place in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 hours.
Prepare the Catfish
  1. Heat the oil in a large sturdy skillet over medium-high heat, until reaches 350°F, or when a small piece of bread sizzles and browns in about 30 seconds when tossed in the oil.
  2. Place the milk and eggs together in a medium bowl or pan, and whisk together.
  3. In a separate bowl or pan, mix together the cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and cayenne (½ tsp).
  4. One at a time, dip the catfish fillets into the wet mixture, then dredge in the corn meal/flour mixture, completely covering the fillets.
  5. In batches, fry the fillets until golden brown, about 3 - 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Assemble the Po-boy
  1. If desired, cut the ends off of the rolls, and if they are long rolls, cut them in half.
  2. Smear a good helping (about 2 tablespoons) of the remoulade sauce on the bottom of each roll. Then add a layer of pickles, tomato slices, then the catfish fillets, and top with coleslaw.
  3. Add a good few squeezes of fresh lemon and several dashes of hot sauce. Top with bun.  Serve at once. 

Notes

  • See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
  • subscribe to our YouTube channel
  • The remoulade can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and the coleslaw can be made several hours before serving. Keep both covered in the fridge until ready to use. 
  • Frying the catfish fillets delivers a truly authentic taste, however, you can dredge the fillets and then bake them on a baking sheet in a 425°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until crispy. To air fry them, spray the breaded fish with olive oil. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip, and air fry for another 3 to 5 minutes until crispy. 
  • Although the sandwiches are good all day long, they are best served when the catfish is hot and still very crispy. The longer it sits after being fried, it will lose its crispness. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 427kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 8g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.04g Cholesterol 107mg (36%) Sodium 458mg (19%) Potassium 706mg (20%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 1537IU (31%) Vitamin C 38mg (42%) Calcium 140mg (14%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 427

% Daily Value*

Calories 427kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g 47%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.04g 2%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 458mg 19%
Potassium 706mg 15%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 1537IU 31%
Vitamin C 38mg 42%
Calcium 140mg 14%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.