Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

If you are craving a dish that bursts with flavor, crunch, and just the right kick of spice, the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe is an absolute must-try. These tacos combine crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, layered atop fresh cabbage and vibrant garnishes inside warm tortillas. It’s the perfect harmony of tangy, spicy, and crunchy textures that feel like a festive celebration in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for friends or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite go-to for its impressive yet approachable flavor profile.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe plays an important role in delivering that irresistible balance of flavors and textures. From the crunchy coating on the shrimp to the fresh toppings that add brightness, each component is simple yet essential.

• Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base of the bang bang sauce that coats the shrimp beautifully.
• Chili garlic sauce: Provides a perfect blend of heat and garlicky depth, crucial for that signature bang bang flavor.
• Sriracha sauce (optional): Adds an extra spicy punch if you dare to take the heat up a notch.
• Extra-large shrimp: The star ingredient, peeled and deveined for easy eating and a juicy bite.
• Buttermilk: Tenderizes the shrimp, ensuring each bite is succulent and flavorful.
• All-purpose flour and cornstarch: Create the perfect crispy coating when combined for frying.
• Kosher salt and black pepper: Season the breading mixture for balanced taste.
• Vegetable oil: Needed for frying to get that golden, crunchy exterior.
• Flour tortillas (or Bibb lettuce leaves): The delicious vessel to hold the shrimp and toppings.
• Shredded cabbage: Adds a refreshing crunch and a touch of sweetness.
• Thinly sliced radishes, jalapeño peppers, green onions, and chopped cilantro: These garnishes lend vibrant color, heat, and fresh herbal notes that brighten the tacos.

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Step 1: Make the bang bang sauce

Begin by whisking together mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and optional Sriracha in a bowl until smooth. This creamy, spicy sauce is what makes the shrimp shine with a lively flavor. Chill it in the refrigerator for up to two days to let the flavors meld while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Marinate the shrimp

Place cleaned shrimp in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Let them soak for about 20 minutes to soak in moisture and tenderize. This step ensures juicy shrimp with a subtle tang beneath their crispy coating.

Step 3: Prepare your breading station

Mix together flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. This combination strikes the perfect balance for a light yet crispy crust. Set up a cooling rack over a baking sheet for your breaded shrimp to rest before frying, which helps keep them crunchy.

Step 4: Bread the shrimp

Drain shrimp from the buttermilk and toss them in the flour mixture in batches. Shake off excess flour and spread on the rack to slightly dry out before frying. This extra step locks in that crunch.

Step 5: Heat the oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Proper oil temperature is key to achieving shrimp that are crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked inside.

Step 6: Fry the shrimp

Carefully add a handful of the breaded shrimp to hot oil, then gently stir after one minute to separate pieces. Fry for 4 to 4 1/2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.

Step 7: Keep shrimp warm and continue frying

Place cooked shrimp in the oven set to 200°F to keep warm while you fry remaining batches. Make sure the oil returns to 350°F between batches for consistent frying.

Step 8: Sauce the shrimp

Once all shrimp are fried, toss them in one cup of the bang bang sauce to coat evenly, saving the rest for drizzling during assembly. This step adds that familiar creamy, spicy touch to the crispy shrimp.

Step 9: Assemble the tacos

Layer shredded cabbage inside warm tortillas, top with sauced shrimp, and drizzle with extra bang bang sauce to taste. Garnish with sliced radishes, jalapeño peppers, green onions, and chopped cilantro for a fresh, colorful finish.

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Garnishes

Garnishes are not just decoration here; radishes add a peppery crunch, jalapeños inject a spicy kick, green onions bring savoriness, and cilantro adds bright citrusy notes. Together, they elevate every bite and make the tacos feel vibrant and fresh.

Side Dishes

These tacos pair wonderfully with a side of zesty Mexican street corn, creamy guacamole, or a simple black bean salad. Each side dish complements the complex flavors of the bang bang shrimp while adding variety in texture and temperature to your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the shrimp over Bibb lettuce leaves instead of tortillas to keep it light and gluten-free. Or present the shrimp and toppings as a deconstructed taco platter so guests can build their own creations. Either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover fried shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep the bang bang sauce separate until ready to serve to maintain the shrimp’s crispness.

Freezing

While the shrimp are best fresh, you can freeze cooked shrimp without sauce in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze up to two months. Avoid freezing assembled tacos to preserve the texture of the tortillas and fresh toppings.

Reheating

Reheat shrimp in a 350°F oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes to help restore their crunch. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make fried foods soggy. Reheat tortillas by warming them briefly in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in the oven.

FAQs

Can I make the bang bang sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The bang bang sauce actually tastes better after resting for a day or two, which allows the flavors to deepen. Just keep it refrigerated and covered until ready to use.

What kind of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Extra-large shrimp (26-30 count) are ideal because they’re substantial enough to hold their crunch and provide a meaty bite inside the tacos. Just be sure they are peeled and deveined for the best eating experience.

Is there a healthier alternative to frying the shrimp?

If you want a lighter version, try baking or air frying the breaded shrimp. While you may lose a bit of the classic crunch, these methods still deliver delicious results with less oil.

Can I substitute the flour tortillas?

Absolutely. Corn tortillas work, although they are smaller, or for a low-carb option, Bibb lettuce leaves are a crisp and refreshing vessel for the shrimp and toppings.

How spicy is the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe?

The heat level is moderate and can be easily adjusted by controlling the amount of chili garlic sauce and Sriracha in the bang bang sauce, as well as the jalapeño garnish. You can dial up or down to suit your taste.

Final Thoughts

Give this Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe a try and watch it become one of your favorite weeknight dishes or party showstoppers. The combination of crispy shrimp, creamy and spicy sauce, and fresh garnishes is irresistibly satisfying. Once you taste these tacos, you’ll understand why they’re such a beloved recipe to share over and over again.

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