Homemade Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce: Your Easy Copycat Recipe for Irresistible Flavor
Craving that iconic sweet and spicy kick from your favorite restaurant’s bang bang shrimp? Look no further! This homemade bang bang sauce recipe is incredibly quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for shrimp, chicken, vegetables, and so much more, it’s about to become your new go-to condiment!
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Unveiling the Magic of Homemade Bang Bang Sauce
Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! If you’ve ever savored the incredible flavor of restaurant-style bang bang shrimp, you know that creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce is truly unforgettable. For years, this delightful condiment has captivated taste buds, becoming a staple far beyond just shrimp. From bang bang chicken to vibrant poke bowls and even as a versatile dipping sauce, its popularity speaks volumes.
My journey with this fantastic sauce began in the early 2000s, often as a happy hour treat. What started as a specific restaurant favorite quickly evolved into a widely adored flavor profile. And the best part? You don’t need a reservation or a special trip out to enjoy it. I’m thrilled to share a secret: crafting this luscious bang bang sauce at home is incredibly simple, requiring just a handful of common ingredients and minimal effort.
This easy bang bang sauce recipe is designed for maximum flavor with absolute ease. Most likely, you already have the key components in your pantry, making it a spontaneous culinary adventure whenever the craving strikes. Its smooth, creamy texture and dynamic flavor profile make it an instant hit, perfect for elevating everyday meals or impressing guests at your next gathering. Forget complicated steps; this recipe focuses on straightforward mixing for a truly delicious result.
While it’s undeniably fantastic paired with succulent shrimp, its uses are boundless. Imagine it as a zesty dipping sauce for crispy fries, a flavorful spread for your favorite sandwich, or tossed generously with grilled chicken or fish. It can even transform into a vibrant dressing for a unique spicy slaw. Essentially, any food that benefits from a creamy, spicy, and subtly sweet accompaniment will be a perfect match for this incredible homemade bang bang sauce.
Essential Ingredients for Your Bang Bang Sauce
Creating this irresistible sauce requires just a few key ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that signature sweet, spicy, and creamy balance. Quality ingredients will always yield the best flavor, so choose wisely!
- Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of our bang bang sauce. We often opt for light mayonnaise to make the sauce a bit lighter, but feel free to use full-fat mayonnaise for a richer texture. For a healthier or dairy-free alternative, plain Greek yogurt (for a tangy twist) or vegan mayonnaise can be excellent substitutes.
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: This ingredient is essential for providing the sweet and tangy notes that are characteristic of bang bang sauce. It’s readily available at most grocery stores in the international or Asian food aisle. Brands vary slightly in sweetness and spice, so choose one you enjoy. Trader Joe’s offers a popular option.
- Sriracha: The star of the show when it comes to heat! Sriracha delivers a fiery kick that balances the sweetness of the chili sauce. You can easily adjust the amount to suit your preferred spice level. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a flavored Sriracha for an extra layer of complexity.
- Honey: A touch of honey enhances the sauce’s sweetness and adds a lovely depth of flavor. If you prefer, maple syrup or agave nectar work equally well as vegan-friendly alternatives. Always use good quality honey for the best taste.
- Scallions (Green Onions): Finely chopped scallions add a fresh, aromatic element and a subtle oniony flavor that brightens the sauce. While optional, they truly elevate the overall profile. If you’re not adding them directly to the sauce, consider using them as a garnish for your finished dish to add both flavor and visual appeal.
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Perfect Bang Bang Sauce
You’ll be amazed at how quickly this incredible sauce comes together. No cooking required, just simple mixing!
Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you begin, gather all your ingredients. Measure out the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. If you’re including green onions (scallions), make sure to finely chop them. Precision in measuring ensures the perfect balance of flavors.
Mix and Whisk to Perfection
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the measured light mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Using a whisk, stir vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Once the base is perfectly blended, fold in the finely chopped green onions, if using. Give it another gentle stir to distribute them evenly. Your homemade bang bang sauce is now ready to use or store!
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Bang Bang Sauce
Achieving restaurant-quality flavor at home is easy with a few simple guidelines. Here are some tips to make your homemade bang bang sauce truly outstanding:
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: This is perhaps the most crucial tip! Everyone’s palate is unique, so don’t hesitate to taste the sauce after mixing and adjust the flavors. You might want a little more Sriracha for extra heat, a touch more honey for sweetness, or even a pinch of salt and black pepper to enhance the overall taste. It’s all about personal preference!
- Don’t Skip the Scallions (Unless You Have To): While listed as optional, scallions (green onions) add a fresh, vibrant, and slightly pungent flavor that truly brightens the sauce. They also provide a beautiful pop of color. If you don’t have fresh ones, you can omit them, but for the most authentic flavor, try to include them. You can also reserve some for garnish.
- Scale Up for Big Batches: This recipe is incredibly easy to double, triple, or even quadruple! If you’re hosting a party, preparing for a family gathering, or simply love having this sauce on hand for meal prep throughout the week, making a larger batch is a fantastic idea. It stores well, making it perfect for batch cooking.
- Thin It Out for Different Uses: If you desire a slightly thinner consistency for applications like salad dressing or a lighter drizzle, simply whisk in a dash of buttermilk, a splash of water, or a tiny bit of milk until you reach your desired consistency. Add it slowly, a teaspoon at a time, to avoid making it too runny.
- Consider Ingredient Quality: Since this sauce has so few ingredients, the quality of each really shines through. Use a mayonnaise brand you love, and experiment with different Thai sweet chili sauces to find your favorite.
- Let Flavors Mingle: While the sauce is delicious immediately, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or even a few hours) can help the flavors meld together even more beautifully, creating a more cohesive and robust taste.
- Adjust Spice Downwards: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with half the recommended Sriracha and add more gradually until it’s perfect for you. You can always add more heat, but it’s hard to take it away!
Craving more delicious condiments? Explore these tasty sauces: Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce | Garlic Aioli | Chipotle Aioli | Bacon Aioli
Can I Make This Bang Bang Sauce Vegan?
Absolutely! Adapting this bang bang sauce recipe to be entirely vegan is very straightforward. The main substitutions involve the mayonnaise and the sweetener. Simply swap out regular mayonnaise for your favorite brand of vegan mayonnaise. For the honey, which is not considered vegan by many, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar as direct and equally delicious alternatives. Always double-check the labels of your Thai sweet chili sauce and Sriracha to ensure they do not contain any hidden animal products, although most common brands are naturally vegan-friendly.
How to Customize the Spice Level
One of the best features of this homemade bang bang sauce is how easily you can tailor the heat to your personal preference. The Sriracha is the primary source of spiciness, giving you complete control. To make the sauce spicier, simply add more Sriracha. I recommend adding it in small increments, perhaps 1/2 teaspoon at a time. After each addition, stir it well to incorporate and then taste. Continue this process until you reach your desired level of heat. If you want an even more intense kick, a tiny dash of cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also be stirred in, though Sriracha alone usually does the trick perfectly.
How Long Does Homemade Bang Bang Sauce Last?
This fantastic bang bang sauce boasts a good shelf life, making it excellent for meal prepping or having on standby. When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will maintain its freshness and delicious flavor for up to 10 days. The mayonnaise base acts as a natural preservative, helping it last longer. Just ensure it’s always kept cold and covered to prevent any spoilage.
Recipe Yield: How Much Sauce Does This Make?
This recipe yields approximately 3/4 cup of delicious bang bang sauce. This amount is perfect for coating a generous portion of shrimp or chicken for a family meal, or for serving as a dipping sauce alongside various appetizers. If you’re planning a larger gathering or simply want to ensure you have plenty on hand, remember you can easily scale the recipe up by doubling or tripling the ingredient quantities.
Looking for snack inspiration? Discover exciting ideas on my appetizer recipes page!
Endless Ways to Enjoy Your Bang Bang Sauce
The beauty of this homemade bang bang sauce lies in its incredible versatility. While it’s famously paired with shrimp, its sweet, spicy, and creamy profile makes it a fantastic addition to countless dishes. Here are just a few ideas to get your culinary creativity flowing:
- Classic Bang Bang Shrimp: Toss fried or grilled shrimp in this sauce for an authentic copycat appetizer that rivals any restaurant. It’s the perfect quick meal when you’re craving something special.
- Bang Bang Chicken: Whether it’s crispy fried chicken pieces, grilled chicken tenders, or even roasted chicken breast, this sauce transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dish.
- Fish Tacos and Bowls: Drizzle generously over fish tacos, or mix it into rice bowls, poke bowls, or grain bowls with your favorite protein and vegetables for an explosion of flavor.
- Dipping Delight: Serve it as a dipping sauce for French fries, sweet potato fries, chicken nuggets, spring rolls, onion rings, or even fresh vegetable sticks like carrots and cucumbers.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Spread a layer of bang bang sauce on your sandwiches, wraps, or even burgers for a delicious spicy kick. It’s particularly good with turkey or grilled chicken.
- Salad Dressing with a Twist: Thin the sauce slightly with a touch of buttermilk or water, and use it as a vibrant and creamy dressing for a unique coleslaw or a fresh green salad.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or even sweet potatoes for an unexpected and delightful flavor boost.
- Quick Marinade: While primarily a finishing sauce, a thin coat can be used as a quick marinade for shrimp or chicken before grilling or pan-frying, infusing them with flavor.
This sauce is so quick to whip up that you can prepare it while your protein (like shrimp or chicken) cooks. However you choose to incorporate this amazing sauce into your meals, you’re guaranteed to love the irresistible taste!
Storing Your Delicious Bang Bang Sauce
To Store: Ensuring your homemade bang bang sauce stays fresh is simple. Transfer any leftover sauce into an airtight container. A jar with a tight-fitting lid or a sealed plastic container works perfectly. Store it in the refrigerator, and it will remain delicious for up to 10 days. Always give it a good stir before each use, as some separation might occur over time.
Finally, if you recreate this incredible bang bang sauce recipe at home, please consider giving it a star rating on the recipe card below and leaving a comment! Your feedback is invaluable, and I genuinely love hearing about your culinary experiences. I make sure to respond to every single comment.
And of course, feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section!
Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest when you share your creations! Seeing these recipes come to life in your kitchens is truly the most rewarding part for me. It means the world!
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Bang Bang Sauce
5 minutes
5 minutes
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 tsp Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp scallions finely chopped, optional
Instructions
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Add mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey to a bowl. Whisk well until thoroughly combined and smooth.
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Stir in the finely chopped scallions, if using.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as desired (more Sriracha for heat, more honey for sweetness, or a pinch of salt/pepper). Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 52kcal |
Carbohydrates: 6g |
Protein: 0.1g |
Fat: 3g |
Saturated Fat: 0.5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 0.01g |
Cholesterol: 2mg |
Sodium: 222mg |
Potassium: 10mg |
Fiber: 0.1g |
Sugar: 5g |
Vitamin A: 26IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 2mg |
Iron: 0.05mg
52kcal
American
Sauce