How to make Bang Bang Sauce

Bang Bang Sauce is a creamy, sweet, and spicy concoction that has become popular as both a dipping sauce and a culinary ingredient in various dishes. It is typified by its distinctive blend of flavors which often include a mayonnaise base, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce, along with additional ingredients that can vary according to the recipe or desired flavor profile.

Its origins are somewhat ambiguous but it is often associated with Southern American or Asian fusion cuisines. The most famous iteration of the sauce in the United States comes from the casual dining restaurant chain Bonefish Grill, which serves a dish called Bang Bang Shrimp, where the shrimp is tossed in the sauce imparting it with a bold, tangy taste with a hint of sweetness and an undercurrent of heat.

The combination of sweet and spicy elements in Bang Bang Sauce is relatively simple but allows for a broad appeal. The base of mayonnaise contributes a creamy texture and helps to balance and meld the flavors together. Sweet chili sauce, a common component in Asian cuisine, offers a sugary taste with a mild spicy kick, and ingredients such as hot sauce, sriracha, or even gochujang can be added to increase the heat level.

Due to its simple base and customizable nature, Bang Bang Sauce is versatile in the kitchen, serving not only as a dip but also as a spread for burgers or sandwiches, a topping for tacos, or even as a dressing for salad. Home cooks and chefs alike can adapt this sauce to suit their individual tastes or the requirements of a specific dish, making it a staple in creative cooking as it can add a vibrant burst of flavor to a wide range of meals.

Recipe variations may include the addition of ingredients like honey, vinegar, lime juice, or garlic, each contributing to more complex flavor profiles and making the sauce adaptable to different cuisines. Furthermore, the thickness or consistency of the sauce can be altered by the proportions of mayonnaise and other liquids used.

Bang Bang Sauce recipe

Bang Bang Sauce

Bang Bang Sauce is a rich, spicy, and creamy sauce that typically consists of a mixture of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce or Sriracha. The popular orange-colored condiment has its roots in American cuisine, particularly associated with seafood and chicken dishes. It has been widely popularized by restaurant chains that serve it as a dipping sauce or as a dressing for sandwiches, salads, wraps, and bowls.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine Italian

Servings 1 serving

Calories 138 kcal

Equipment

• 1 medium mixing bowl
• 1 air tight container

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup vegan mayo
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup
• 3 tbsp Sriracha
• 1/4 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Optional ingredients:
• 1 tsp sm2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika

Instructions

 

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl together with the optional ingredients and stir until well mixed. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and stir well.
• Serve sauce as desired. Store in an air tight container and keep in the fridge and make sure you use within a week.

Keyword maple syrup, Sriracha, vegan mayo

Cooking Tips about Bang Bang Sauce

• Balance the Flavors: The key to a great Bang Bang Sauce is balancing the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Adjust the amounts of sweet chili sauce and sriracha to fine-tune the heat level, and consider adding a touch of lime juice for additional acidity if needed.
• Consistency: Aim for a consistency that’s thick enough to cling to foods but thin enough to drizzle. Adjust this with a splash of water or vinegar if your sauce is too thick.
• Premium Ingredients: As with any recipe, using high-quality ingredients can make a difference in taste. For example, using real mayonnaise instead of a substitute can impart a richer flavor and texture.
• Customizing: Feel free to add personal touches to your Bang Bang Sauce by incorporating ingredients like garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a dash of sesame oil to introduce new flavor dimensions.
• Let it Rest: If time allows, let the sauce sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so before serving. This rest period allows the flavors to meld together more fully.
• Pairing with Food: Bang Bang Sauce is versatile. It pairs well not only with crispy chicken and shrimp but also with grilled vegetables, fish tacos, burgers, and even as a salad dressing. Experiment with different pairings to find your favorite.
• Experiment with Texture: For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, finely chopping nuts like peanuts or cashews and stirring them into the sauce can add a delightful texture.
• Heat Control: To control the level of heat in your sauce, start with a small amount of sriracha and gradually add more until you reach the desired spiciness.

Serving suggestions about Bang Bang Sauce

• As a Dipping Sauce: It can be used as a dip for appetizers like egg rolls, fried shrimp, chicken tenders, or vegetable crudites.
• With Seafood: Beyond shrimp, Bang Bang Sauce complements other seafood such as grilled fish, crab cakes, or fish tacos, enhancing their natural flavors with its creamy spiciness.
• As a Dressing: Tossed with salad or slaw, the sauce provides a zesty alternative to traditional dressings, elevating greens or cabbage mixtures.
• In Sandwiches and Wraps: Spreading the sauce on bread or tortilla adds moisture and a burst of flavor to sandwiches and wraps, be it with chicken, fried fish, or roasted vegetables.
• Over Noodles: Mixing Bang Bang Sauce with noodles, like lo mein or rice noodles, can create a quick and flavorful dish, especially when combined with stir-fried vegetables and protein.
• On Pizza: As a non-traditional pizza topping, drizzling some sauce over pizza adds a unique twist, especially on pizzas with chicken or seafood toppings.
• In Grain Bowls: Stirring it into rice or quinoa bowls blends the sauce with the grain’s texture and can complement toppings like avocado, grilled chicken, or tofu.
• For Meat Glaze: Glazing or brushing the sauce on grilled or baked meats like chicken or pork can infuse the protein with a sweet and spicy flavor.

Top 5 FAQs about Bang Bang Sauce

• What are the main ingredients in Bang Bang Sauce? The primary components of Bang Bang Sauce typically include mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce or sriracha. Honey or sugar may be added for extra sweetness, and some variations include a splash of rice vinegar to enhance the tanginess. Lime juice is also a common addition for a bit of acidity.
• How is Bang Bang Sauce typically used? Bang Bang Sauce is versatile and commonly used as a dipping sauce for shrimp, chicken, and other fried foods. It can also be used as a dressing for salads or bowls, a spread for sandwiches or burgers, or a drizzle for tacos. The rich and flavorful nature of the sauce makes it a favorite for spicing up a variety of dishes.
• Is Bang Bang Sauce very spicy? The level of spiciness in Bang Bang Sauce can vary depending on the amount and type of hot sauce used in the recipe. It’s generally considered to have a moderate spice level, but it can be easily adjusted to suit one’s personal taste preference by increasing or decreasing the hot sauce ratio.
• Can Bang Bang Sauce be made healthier? Yes, there are variations of the recipe that aim to reduce calories and fat. For instance, Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise can be used in place of full-fat mayonnaise. Additionally, a sugar substitute can replace honey or sugar for those looking to cut down on added sugars.
• Where can I find Bang Bang Sauce? Bang Bang Sauce can be found ready-made in some grocery stores, often located in the condiments or international foods aisle. However, it is also straightforward to prepare at home with commonly available ingredients, allowing for customization to one’s preferred taste and heat levels.

Bang Bang Sauce is a condiment with a creamy, spicy flavor profile that has become popular in various cuisines, especially in association with seafood dishes like shrimp. It is often a combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha or a similar hot sauce, and can sometimes include ingredients like honey or vinegar to adjust sweetness or tanginess. The sauce likely got its name from the punch of heat delivered—reminiscent of the onomatopoeia for an explosive impact, “bang.”

The exact origin of Bang Bang Sauce is somewhat unclear, but it is often associated with the American chain restaurant Bonefish Grill, which features a dish called “Bang Bang Shrimp.” Over time, the sauce has been embraced by home cooks and has appeared in various culinary blogs and cookbooks, leading to many variations in the recipe.

In terms of culinary use, Bang Bang Sauce is versatile. It is used not only with shrimp but with other types of seafood, chicken, and even as a dipping sauce for fries or vegetables. Its creamy base, complemented by sweet and spicy elements, makes it a popular choice for those looking to add a flavorful kick to their meals.

While discussing Bang Bang Sauce, it’s interesting to note that such sauces reflect broader trends in food where fusion and experimentation lead to new flavor profiles and food experiences. The popularity of sauces like this can be indicative of cultural receptivity to flavor innovation and a consumer desire for bolder and more diverse tastes.