If you are looking for a vibrant and irresistible taco experience, the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish perfectly combines crispy, spicy shrimp with creamy, tangy bang bang sauce all wrapped up in warm tortillas or crisp lettuce leaves. Each bite delivers an explosion of flavor and texture, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether you are hosting friends or craving a delicious weeknight meal. The bright veggies and bold sauce elevate these tacos to a whole new level of fun and tastiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe lies in its simple but essential ingredients. From the creamy mayonnaise to the crunchy cabbage, each element plays a vital role in building layers of texture and flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the bang bang sauce, balancing spice and richness perfectly.
- Chili garlic sauce: Adds a punch of heat and depth to the sauce, making it bold and exciting.
- Sriracha sauce (optional): For an extra fiery kick if you love your tacos spicy.
- Extra-large shrimp: The star of the show, peeled and deveined for easy eating and perfect frying.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the shrimp, ensuring juicy, flavorful bites.
- All-purpose flour: Key to creating a light, crispy coating on the shrimp.
- Cornstarch: Works with the flour to make the shrimp crunchier and less greasy.
- Kosher salt: Essential seasoning that enhances every flavor.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds just a touch of warmth and complexity.
- Vegetable oil: For frying the shrimp to golden, crispy perfection.
- Flour tortillas or Bibb lettuce leaves: Your vehicle for all the goodness, warm soft or crisp fresh.
- Shredded cabbage: Provides crunch and freshness that perfectly complements the spicy shrimp.
- Thinly sliced radishes: Adds a peppery crunch and vibrant color.
- Thinly sliced jalapeño peppers: A little extra spice and bright green contrast.
- Sliced green onions: For mild sharpness and a fresh flavor boost.
- Chopped cilantro: Offers a bright, herbal finish that balances the richness.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
Start by whisking together mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and optional Sriracha until the sauce is smooth and perfectly spicy. This luscious sauce is the heart of the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe, delivering creamy heat that coats each piece of shrimp beautifully. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to dress the tacos or toss with the shrimp.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Place the peeled shrimp in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. This step is crucial because it tenderizes the shrimp and gives them a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the final dish. Let them soak for about 20 minutes while you prepare your other ingredients.
Step 3: Prepare the Breading Station
Mix the flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. The combination gives the shrimp a super crisp and light texture once fried, avoiding any heaviness. Set up your cooling rack over a sheet pan and another tray lined with paper towels ready to drain the shrimp after frying. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to keep everything warm as you cook in batches.
Step 4: Coat the Shrimp
Drain the buttermilk from the shrimp and toss them in the flour mixture a few at a time. Shake off any excess flour to prevent clumps and place the shrimp on the cooling rack to dry slightly before frying. This drying step helps to achieve that perfect crunch once fried.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven and heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a thermometer is the best way to keep the temperature steady. This precise heat level ensures your shrimp cook quickly without soaking up too much oil, staying crisp and light.
Step 6: Fry the Shrimp
Carefully add a handful of shrimp to the hot oil, stirring gently after one minute to separate them. Fry each batch for 4 to 4 1/2 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Transfer the fried shrimp to your draining rack and then to the warm oven to keep them crisp and hot while you finish frying the rest.
Step 7: Toss in the Bang Bang Sauce
Once all the shrimp are fried and warm, toss them in one cup of the prepared bang bang sauce so every piece gets a flavorful coating. Save the leftover sauce to drizzle over the tacos just before serving for an added burst of creaminess and spice.
Step 8: Assemble the Tacos
Fill each warm tortilla with a generous handful of shredded cabbage, then crown with the sauced shrimp. Add extra bang bang sauce if you like things saucier. Finish with colorful garnishes like radishes, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro to create a fresh and inviting plate ready to devour.
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Bright garnishes are what bring the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe to life on the plate. Thinly sliced radishes and jalapeños add crunch and spice that contrast perfectly with the creamy sauce. Fresh green onions and cilantro elevate the presentation and flavor, offering bursts of herbal freshness that lightens each bite.
Side Dishes
These tacos pair wonderfully with simple sides that don’t compete but complement. A crisp Mexican street corn salad, lime-infused black beans, or even a zesty quinoa salad are perfect companions. These sides add texture and flavors that harmonize beautifully with the shrimp’s spicy and creamy profile.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the shrimp in Bibb lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a low-carb option that adds a refreshing crunch. You can also create a taco bar where guests customize their own tacos with assorted toppings and extra bang bang sauce. This interactive presentation amps up the fun and makes sharing the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe even more joyful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cooked shrimp without sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep your bang bang sauce separate until ready to reassemble the tacos so everything stays fresh and crisp.
Freezing
While the shrimp can be frozen after frying, their crispy texture may soften upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, place the shrimp on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Freeze the sauce separately as it may separate when frozen and will need whisking before use.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the shrimp on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This method helps to revive some of the crispiness without drying them out. Add fresh bang bang sauce and garnishes when ready to serve again.
FAQs
Can I make the bang bang sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The bang bang sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two days. This makes it easy to prepare in advance and save time on the day you plan to serve the tacos.
What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?
Extra-large shrimp are ideal because they hold their shape well during frying and provide a satisfying bite without being too small or overly bulky.
Can I bake instead of fry the shrimp?
While frying gives you the best crispy texture, you can bake the shrimp for a healthier option. Coat them in the flour mixture and bake at 425 degrees for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious.
Is the recipe spicy? Can I adjust the heat?
The recipe has a nice medium heat level thanks to the chili garlic sauce and optional Sriracha. You can dial the spice up or down by adjusting how much of those ingredients you add or omitting the jalapeños from the toppings.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes! Corn tortillas bring a slightly different flavor and texture, giving your Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe a more traditional taco feel — just warm them gently to keep them pliable and tasty.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite dishes to make and share. With its irresistible combination of crispy shrimp, creamy spicy sauce, and fresh, crunchy toppings, it brings all the best elements of comfort and celebration in every bite. So gather your ingredients, embrace the fun of frying, and get ready to enjoy tacos that are full of bold flavor and pure joy.
Print
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings (10 tacos)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos recipe features crispy, perfectly fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Served on warm flour tortillas with crunchy cabbage, radishes, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro, these tacos pack a flavorful punch and balance of textures. Ideal for a fun and satisfying seafood taco dinner that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (optional)
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds extra-large (26–30 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
Taco Assembly
- 10 taco-sized flour tortillas, warmed (or Bibb lettuce leaves)
- 8 ounces shredded cabbage (about 3 cups)
- Thinly sliced radishes
- Thinly sliced jalapeño peppers
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and optional Sriracha until fully blended. Refrigerate the sauce for up to two days until ready to use.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place peeled and deveined shrimp in a separate bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 20 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Coating and Setup: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper. Set up a cooling rack on a sheet pan to place breaded shrimp before frying to keep them crispy. Line another sheet pan with paper towels or a cooling rack to drain fried shrimp. Preheat your oven to 200°F to keep cooked shrimp warm.
- Coat the Shrimp: Drain the buttermilk from shrimp, then toss shrimp in the flour mixture in batches, shaking off excess flour. Arrange breaded shrimp on the cooling rack to dry while heating oil.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a wide, deep pot (such as a Dutch oven). Place a thermometer in the oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F, taking about 20 minutes.
- Fry the Shrimp: Carefully add a handful of shrimp to the hot oil. After one minute, gently stir with a slotted spoon to separate any shrimp sticking together. Fry for 4 to 4 1/2 minutes, until shrimp are golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Keep Warm: Remove fried shrimp with the slotted spoon and place on the draining rack to remove excess oil. Transfer shrimp to the preheated 200°F oven to keep warm. Repeat frying in batches, allowing the oil to return to 350°F between batches.
- Toss in Bang Bang Sauce: Once all shrimp are fried, toss them in 1 cup of the prepared bang bang sauce to coat evenly. Reserve remaining sauce for drizzling on tacos.
- Assemble the Tacos: Fill each warmed tortilla with shredded cabbage, then top with sauced shrimp. Add more bang bang sauce if desired. Garnish with sliced radishes, jalapeño peppers, green onions, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute Bibb lettuce leaves for a low-carb or gluten-free option instead of tortillas.
- Make sure oil temperature stays steady at 350°F for perfectly crispy shrimp.
- Prepare the bang bang sauce in advance to allow flavors to meld.
- Drain shrimp well after frying to avoid greasy tacos.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha in the sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature precisely for best frying results.
