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If you need a new dip for your veggies or fries or a sauce to drizzle on meat and seafood, then look no further. This easy homemade Bang Bang Sauce recipe is creamy, sweet, and spicy, and tastes amazing on pretty much everything.
Why You’ll Love this Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Asian-American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Nut-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
The combination of sweetness with a little heat in a creamy sauce makes it so tasty. But there are more reasons to love this sauce.
- Quick and easy. It has only 5 simple ingredients and you can stir it together in just minutes!
- So versatile. It’s for more than just shrimp! That’s why you ought to make it at home so you can use it on everything from meats to veggies, and more. Keep reading for my serving suggestions.
- A lighter copycat. Unlike other recipes, this one is made with Greek yogurt, with just a touch of mayonnaise to give it that rich consistency. So it has more protein, calcium, and all the benefits of the active yogurt cultures. And since you can choose whether you use nonfat, lowfat, or whole milk yogurt, you have control over how much you want to lighten up your Bang Bang Sauce.
What is Bang Bang Sauce?
Originally, “Bang Bang” was associated with a traditional Chinese chicken dish where the chicken would be tenderized by banging it with a stick. But this is not what most of us here in the United States are familiar with.
Though available at many restaurants, Bang Bang Shrimp originated at the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain. According to their website, it started as a special but was so beloved that it earned a permanent place on the menu. It consists of crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy sauce with the perfect blend of sweet heat – that is the Bang Bang Sauce.
In its most basic form, the Bang Bang Sauce used to coat the fried shrimp is made from mayonnaise, Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, and sriracha sauce. This combination makes it creamy and sweet with a nice kick of spice.
Do not confuse it with Boom Boom Sauce and Yum Yum Sauce. There are several different sauces each referred to as Boom Boom Sauce. But the most common one is similar to Bang Bang Sauce, with the notable addition of ketchup and mustard. Yum Yum Sauce leaves out the spice, and is more sweet and tangy. It is a condiment often served at Japanese steakhouses.
Bang Bang Recipe Ingredients
Yes, you really only need five ingredients to make this flavorful sauce. Here’s a quick overview, but you’ll find the full amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Plain Greek Yogurt. Depending on your preference, nonfat, lowfat, or whole milk yogurt all work.
- Mayonnaise. Just a little gives it that richness even if you use lighter yogurt. Feel free to substitute with more yogurt if you prefer.
- Sweet Chili Sauce. You’ll find this with the Thai ingredients in the Asian section of your local grocery store. This is more of a sweet sauce with some spice, versus a spicy chili pepper sauce like sambal oelek.
- Rice Vinegar. Most are, but sometimes seasoned rice vinegar can have hidden gluten. So be sure to check this.
- Sriracha Sauce. I recommend this for the heat, but you can also substitute your favorite hot sauce. Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less.
How to Make Bang Bang Sauce
It doesn’t get any easier. All you have to do is add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir them together until it is smooth and uniform. Then you are ready to dip and drizzle on all of your favorite snacks, apps, and meals!
Tips and Variations on this Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
- Get the right chili sauce. Thai Sweet Chili Sauce is thick and sweet. If you use a chili paste or sauce that doesn’t have this sweetness, it will be super spicy.
- Make it the classic way. That means using all mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt. It’s definitely a richer condiment this way, but then you can enjoy it dairy-free.
- Make it vegan. You can make it with vegan mayo or coconut yogurt.
How to Store Bang Bang Sauce
If you make this Bang Bang Sauce with yogurt, it will be good for 3 or 4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. If you use all mayo, it will last in the fridge for up to a week to 10 days.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Sauce
The flavor of Bang Bang Sauce pairs well with so many things. Of course, you can use it on Bang Bang Shrimp. That recipe is gluten free so that you can try the dish that you aren’t able to order at the restaurant. Or make the vegetarian version, Bang Bang Cauliflower. But that’s just the beginning.
- Asian Appetizers. Of course, it’ll be good with Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls or for dipping Chicken Satay.
- Air Fried or Fried Foods: Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Cauliflower, or Onion Rings will be even better after a dunk.
- Meat and Seafood. Try it drizzled on Maple Sesame Salmon or even on Gluten Free Beef Stir Fry.
- Fries and Tots. Use it as a dip for Air Fryer French Fries or Air Fryer Tater Tots and even Zucchini Tots.
- Roasted Veggies. Spoon it over whatever you love, whether it’s Oven Roasted Butternut Squash or Air Fryer Roasted Carrots.
- Grilled Dishes. It’s amazing on Asian grilled chicken, fish, steak, or as a burger sauce for Thai-Style Sliders.
- Grain Bowls. Add a kick to your wholesome Buddha Bowls.
Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise or additional yogurt
- 6 Tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce or other hot sauce, or to taste
Instructions
- Combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chili sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha sauce in a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy, and set aside.
Notes
Did you make this?
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Looks great.