The Ultimate Homemade Bang Bang Sauce Recipe: Sweet, Spicy & Perfectly Creamy
Prepare to revolutionize your meals with this incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious homemade Bang Bang sauce recipe! This creamy, sweet, and perfectly spicy concoction is so versatile, you’ll find yourself reaching for it to elevate nearly every dish. Whether you’re drizzling it over crispy cauliflower, succulent chicken, perfectly fried shrimp, or even using it as a vibrant dipping sauce for your favorite snacks, this sauce delivers an unforgettable flavor punch. Forget store-bought alternatives; once you try this simple recipe, you’ll understand why homemade is always best.
I’ve personally refined this recipe over countless iterations to achieve that ideal, harmonious balance of flavors – a symphony of sweet, tangy, and a touch of heat that’s genuinely addictive. It has become an absolute go-to staple in my kitchen, consistently earning rave reviews from family and friends. I’m confident that you’ll discover just how simple and satisfying it is to make this easy Bang Bang sauce, making it a beloved addition to your culinary repertoire too. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, party appetizers, or any occasion where you want to add a vibrant, zesty kick.
This post is sponsored by Chef’s Choice. All opinions are my own.
Crafting the Perfect Bang Bang Sauce: Insider Tips
Making your own Bang Bang sauce is not only incredibly rewarding but also surprisingly straightforward. Here are a few key insights from my kitchen to ensure your sauce is nothing short of spectacular every single time:
- Achieving Balanced Flavors: The magic of this creamy Bang Bang sauce lies in its exquisite balance. We aim for a delightful interplay of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes, resulting in a condiment that’s irresistibly addictive. Many find this homemade version less cloyingly sweet than many store-bought options, allowing the other flavors to truly shine. The secret weapon? Just a subtle touch of rice vinegar. This acidic component cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and the sweetness of the chili sauce, adding a bright, zesty tang that elevates the entire profile. It’s this careful balance that makes our best Bang Bang sauce recipe truly stand out.
- Lightning Fast Preparation: One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its incredible speed. You can literally whip up a fresh batch of this gourmet-quality sauce in less than five minutes. Seriously, it’s that quick! This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a flavorful addition to your meal without any fuss or extensive preparation time. Spend more time enjoying your food and less time in the kitchen.
- Endlessly Versatile Applications: While Bang Bang sauce is famously associated with shrimp (think the popular Bonefish Grill dish), its utility extends far beyond. This vibrant sauce is astonishingly versatile and pairs beautifully with a myriad of dishes. Imagine it slathered over grilled chicken skewers, tossed with roasted vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli, as a dressing for vibrant tacos, or even as an exciting dip for humble French fries or sweet potato wedges. It’s also fantastic on fish, tofu, or as a dressing for a unique salad.
- Effortless Customization: Your palate is unique, and this recipe is designed to be easily adaptable to your personal taste preferences. Craving more heat? Simply add an extra dash of Sriracha. Prefer a sweeter profile? Increase the amount of sweet chili sauce. Want more tang? A little extra vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lime juice can make all the difference. This flexibility ensures you can always achieve your desired flavor intensity, making it truly your own DIY Bang Bang sauce.
Essential Ingredients for Your Bang Bang Sauce
You’ll be delighted to know that this incredible Bang Bang sauce recipe requires just four core ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in creating the signature creamy, spicy, and sweet profile that makes this sauce so irresistible. These simple staples are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store.
Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy, rich base of our sauce. The beauty of mayonnaise is its flexibility. Feel free to choose your preferred type: traditional full-fat mayonnaise for maximum indulgence, olive oil-based mayo for a slightly fruitier note, avocado oil mayo (my personal go-to for its smooth texture and neutral flavor), or even a light or vegan mayonnaise if you’re looking for a healthier or plant-based option. The key is a good quality mayonnaise that provides that essential velvety texture.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Often labeled as Thai sweet chili sauce or simply sweet Thai chili sauce, this ingredient is indispensable. It provides the characteristic sweetness and a mild, gentle heat that defines Bang Bang sauce. It’s a sweet, sticky sauce with hints of garlic and chili, typically found in the Asian or international aisle of your supermarket. For this recipe, I proudly used Chef’s Choice’s sweet chili sauce, known for its authentic flavor and consistent quality.
Sriracha: For that unmistakable kick and savory depth, Sriracha chili sauce is our star. This popular hot sauce adds a vibrant red hue and a pleasant, controllable heat that complements the sweetness of the chili sauce perfectly. It transforms the creamy concoction with its garlicky, spicy, and slightly tangy profile. The Sriracha I used for this recipe was the Sriracha Chili Sauce (Dynamite Hot) by Chef’s Choice, which provides an excellent level of spice without overpowering the other flavors.
Vinegar: To brilliantly cut through the richness of the mayonnaise and the sweetness of the chili sauce, a touch of acid is essential. I prefer rice vinegar for its mild, slightly sweet tang that harmonizes beautifully with the Asian-inspired flavors. However, feel free to substitute with other acidic components like apple cider vinegar for a slightly different note, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime juice for an even brighter, more citrusy finish. This small addition makes a significant difference in balancing the overall flavor profile, ensuring your homemade Bang Bang dipping sauce is perfectly zingy.
Expert Tips for the Tastiest Homemade Bang Bang Sauce
Creating the perfect Bang Bang sauce is simple, but a few expert tips can take your homemade creation from great to absolutely exceptional. Follow these suggestions to ensure your sauce is exactly how you like it, every time:
- Tailor the Heat and Sweetness to Your Liking: The beauty of making Bang Bang sauce from scratch is the ability to customize it precisely to your palate. If you love a fiery kick, don’t hesitate to add more Sriracha. For a milder experience, start with less and gradually add more until you hit your sweet spot. Similarly, if you prefer a sweeter sauce, a little extra sweet chili sauce will do the trick. My preferred ratio typically includes 2 tablespoons of Sriracha to ¼ cup of sweet chili sauce, which provides a balanced sweet heat that most people enjoy.
- Allow Flavors to Mingle for Optimal Taste: While this sauce is delicious enjoyed immediately, giving it a little time for the flavors to meld and deepen can truly enhance its complexity. If time allows, cover the sauce and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours, before serving. This brief resting period allows the distinct notes of the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and vinegar to fully integrate, creating a more cohesive and robust flavor profile.
- Utilize Citrus for a Bright Finish or to Temper Heat: If you find your sauce is a little too spicy, don’t despair! A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice is an excellent remedy. The acid in citrus fruits effectively cuts through and mellows out excessive heat, balancing the flavors without compromising the creamy texture. Start with 1 teaspoon of fresh juice, mix well, and taste before adding more. This simple trick can save a batch of sauce that might otherwise be too spicy for some guests, adding a wonderful bright finish in the process.
- Prepare a Double Batch for Future Enjoyment: This homemade Bang Bang sauce is so good, you’ll likely want to have it on hand for various dishes. Consider doubling the recipe to ensure you have plenty for upcoming meals or unexpected cravings. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will maintain its freshness and delicious flavor for up to two weeks, making it perfect for meal prepping. However, it’s important to note that Bang Bang sauce does not freeze well. The mayonnaise base tends to split and separate during the freezing and defrosting process, resulting in an undesirable texture. So, enjoy it fresh and refrigerated!
Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise regular or vegan
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
Instructions
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Add the mayo, sweet chili sauce, and vinegar to a small bowl and mix together.
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Add 1 tablespoon of Sriracha and add more to taste. Serve with coconut rice, bang bang cauliflower, fried shrimp, chicken, and more!
Notes
Nutrition
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Versatile Bang Bang Sauce
The true charm of homemade Bang Bang sauce lies in its incredible versatility. Once you’ve whipped up a batch, you’ll find countless ways to incorporate its creamy, sweet, and spicy goodness into your meals. It’s truly a sauce that can elevate almost any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this fantastic condiment:
- Seafood Sensation: It’s a classic for a reason! Drizzle generously over pan-seared or fried shrimp, baked salmon fillets, or even crispy fish tacos. The sauce perfectly complements the delicate flavors of seafood.
- Poultry Perfection: Transform plain chicken breasts or thighs into a flavorful feast. Use it as a marinade before grilling or baking, toss it with crispy chicken tenders, or use it to dress a grilled chicken salad. It’s also excellent with turkey burgers or chicken skewers.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Delights: This sauce is a game-changer for plant-based dishes. Toss roasted or fried cauliflower florets with Bang Bang sauce for an irresistible appetizer or side dish. It also pairs wonderfully with crispy baked tofu, tempeh, or as a dressing for vibrant Buddha bowls packed with fresh veggies and grains.
- Dynamic Dip: Forget boring dips! Serve your Bang Bang sauce alongside fresh-cut vegetables like cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, or blanched broccoli. It’s also an amazing dip for tempura vegetables, spring rolls, French fries, sweet potato fries, or even onion rings.
- Taco & Wrap Enhancer: Add a zesty, creamy layer to your favorite tacos (fish, chicken, or veggie!) or wraps. It provides both moisture and a burst of flavor that ties all the ingredients together beautifully.
- Bowl Booster: Elevate your poke bowls, rice bowls, or grain bowls with a generous dollop or artistic drizzle of Bang Bang sauce. It adds a luxurious texture and an exciting flavor dimension to wholesome ingredients.
- Burger & Sandwich Spread: Spread it on your next burger or sandwich for an unexpected twist. It works exceptionally well with chicken or fish sandwiches, adding a gourmet touch.
- Unique Salad Dressing: Thin it out slightly with a tiny bit of water or lime juice to create a creamy, spicy-sweet salad dressing for your next Asian-inspired salad.
I personally adore creating a wholesome and satisfying bowl featuring fluffy coconut rice, topped with breaded and air-fried cauliflower bites, creamy avocado slices, and a generous drizzle of this homemade Bang Bang sauce. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that never disappoints!
To recreate this delightful coconut rice, begin by rinsing and thoroughly draining 1½ cups of white or brown rice. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then, add the rinsed rice to the skillet and sauté for another minute, allowing it to lightly toast. Transfer the rice to a rice cooker, then add half a can of full-fat coconut milk (approximately 6.75 fl oz) and ¾ cup of vegetable or chicken stock. Cook according to your rice cooker’s specific instructions for perfectly tender, aromatic coconut rice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Sauce
Curious about this beloved condiment? Here are some common questions and their answers to help you get the most out of your easy Bang Bang sauce making experience:
Bang Bang sauce is a widely popular, creamy, spicy, and subtly sweet sauce that serves as a versatile dip or condiment. Its fame largely stems from its association with Bonefish Grill’s iconic Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, which showcased this unique flavor profile to a broad audience. It’s typically characterized by a mayonnaise base combined with sweet chili sauce and Sriracha, creating a harmonious blend of heat and sweetness.
No, Bang Bang sauce is distinctly different from Yum Yum sauce, although both are popular creamy, savory condiments often found in Asian-inspired cuisine. Bang Bang sauce is primarily made with mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and a touch of vinegar or sweetener. In contrast, Yum Yum sauce typically features a base of mayonnaise, with additions like ketchup or tomato paste, garlic powder, paprika, and vinegar, giving it a tangier, slightly more tomato-based flavor and a paler, sometimes pinkish, hue compared to Bang Bang’s vibrant orange.
If you find yourself without Thai sweet chili sauce, you can create a decent substitute with common pantry items. One effective option is to mix together equal parts maple syrup and sambal oelek for a sweet and spicy kick. Alternatively, whisk 2 parts maple syrup with 1 part Sriracha or any other hot sauce you have on hand. Another creative substitute involves combining 2 parts spicy ketchup with 1 part granulated sugar to achieve a similar sweet-spicy profile, though the flavor will be slightly different.
The name “Bang Bang” is thought to derive from the Mandarin Chinese word “bàng” (棒), which means “great” or “wonderful.” This perfectly captures the delightful and highly addictive nature of the sauce, making it a fitting moniker for such a fantastic condiment. It’s often associated with dishes that deliver an exciting burst of flavor.
Absolutely, yes! This Bang Bang sauce recipe is easily adaptable for a vegan diet. Simply use an equal amount of your preferred vegan mayonnaise in place of regular mayonnaise. The texture and flavor will remain wonderfully creamy, allowing you to enjoy this delicious sauce without dairy or eggs.
You can absolutely double, or even triple, this recipe! It’s an excellent idea to make a larger batch if you’re serving a crowd, planning for meal prep, or simply want to have extra on hand because it’s so good. Just ensure you have a large enough bowl for mixing, and scale all ingredients proportionally.
Yes, typically Bang Bang sauce is naturally gluten-free. All the core ingredients—mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and vinegar—are generally free of gluten. However, it’s always a good practice to check the labels of your specific brands, especially for the sweet chili sauce and Sriracha, to ensure no hidden gluten-containing additives are present if you have strict dietary requirements.
While mayonnaise is crucial for the traditional creamy texture and rich flavor of Bang Bang sauce, you can experiment with substitutes for a different result. Plain Greek yogurt (full-fat for best creaminess) can be a suitable alternative. It will provide a similar creamy consistency, but the flavor will be tangier and less rich than the original. It won’t taste exactly the same, but it will still be a delicious creamy sauce with a spicy kick.
More Savory & Delicious Vegan Recipes to Explore
If you’re continually seeking out more delightful dips, comforting soups, or exciting side dishes, you’re in the right place! Explore these other fantastic savory recipes that are sure to please any palate, many of which are vegan-friendly:
- If you’re looking for another creamy and indulgent dip that’s perfect for parties or a cozy night in, be sure to try this rich and flavorful vegan spinach artichoke dip!
- Love warm and comforting soups, especially as the weather cools? My silky smooth vegan pumpkin soup and hearty roasted tomato soup are both excellent options when you’re craving something warm, nourishing, and utterly cozy.
- This delightful vegetable gyoza recipe offers a delicious combination of savory fillings encased in tender wrappers, making it a fantastic side dish or appetizer for any meal!
- Looking for a unique and versatile base for your next sandwich or meal? My homemade arepas recipe would be the perfect vessel for creating a mouthwatering sandwich, perhaps filled with some of that delicious Bang Bang cauliflower from above!