It’s not Olive Garden without an order of breadsticks. It’s not Cracker Barrel without a side of hash brown casserole. And it’s not Bonefish Grill without an order (or two) of bang bang shrimp.
This crispy, saucy and spicy shrimp is the signature appetizer at Bonefish Grill. The best part about this dish? Like many restaurant copycats, it’s easy to make at home. Keep reading for our bang bang shrimp recipe, and then check out these other Bonefish Grill-inspired recipes if you can’t get enough of your seafood favorites.
What is bang bang shrimp?
The inspiration for bang bang shrimp is a saucy Thai-inspired dish known as bang bang chicken, where the meat is cooked, shredded and served with a spicy sauce. The Bonefish Grill version of this bang bang dish opts for crispy fried shrimp instead of chicken and a kickin’ mayo-based bang bang shrimp sauce.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp
This bang bang shrimp recipe yields 2 to 4 appetizer-portioned servings.
Ingredients
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- 1 pound large raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined and tails removed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- Canola oil, for frying
- Diced chives, for garnish (optional)
- Salad greens, for garnish (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Marinate the shrimp
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Combine the shrimp and buttermilk in a medium bowl for 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix the bang bang shrimp sauce
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In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai chili sauce and sriracha until blended.
Step 3: Coat shrimp
Lauren Habermehl For Taste Of Home
Fill a cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven or deep fryer with 2 to 3 inches of canola oil and preheat to 375°F. Then, drain the shrimp from the buttermilk and toss with the cornstarch in a large bowl until evenly coated.
Step 4: Fry shrimp
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Working in batches, fry the shrimp, turning occasionally until golden on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 5: Coat shrimp in sauce
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Transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and toss with the sauce while still hot until coated on all sides.
Step 6: Serve
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Serve over a small bed of salad greens topped with green onions. Enjoy immediately!
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang bang shrimp is a delicious appetizer to serve ahead of a tasty seafood dinner, like grilled salmon, mahi mahi or pan-seared scallops. Pair the shrimp with a crunchy coleslaw to temper the heat.
You can also make bang bang shrimp tacos. Pile the crispy fried shrimp in homemade tortillas—and take a look at this tortilla toaster hack—with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.
Bang Bang Recipes That Turn Up the Heat
Spicy Butterscotch WingsWe love big-time-spicy chicken wings. I do a caramel sauce to balance the heat, but you could also glaze the wings with melted brown sugar. —Aaron Salazar, Westminster, Colorado
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and PeppersI love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Blackberry Sriracha Chicken SlidersDump everything in a slow cooker and then watch these spicy-sweet sliders become an instant party-time classic. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Spicy Crab DipWith cayenne pepper and hot sauce (both optional), this delicious dip doubles up on the heat. Chock-full of crabmeat, this appetizer feels special, yet it only takes minutes to prepare. —Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois
Spicy Oven-Fried ChickenMy family adores this recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist. With the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan
Thai Chicken Peanut NoodlesMy husband loves the spicy flavors in these Thai chicken noodles and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Spicy Sweet Potato Kale Cannellini SoupThis cross between a soup and a stew fits the meatless Monday bill quite nicely. It warms you right up, and satisfies without leaving you overstuffed.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Chiles Rellenos QuicheTo me, nothing sparks up a meal more than the smoky flavor of roasted green chiles. This is a quick and easy recipe, and I usually have the ingredients on hand, so when I don’t know what to fix for dinner, I make this quiche. —Linda Miritello, Mesa, Arizona
Easy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce WrapsOne time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo chicken-style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I've been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Short Rib PoutineThis dish combines the hearty, spicy flavors of my beloved slow-cooker short ribs with my all-time favorite comfort food: fries and gravy. With a little prep in the morning, it's just about ready when I come home from work (plus, the kitchen smells amazing!). If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of Sriracha chili sauce. —Erin DeWitt, Long Beach, California
Honey Buffalo Meatball SlidersThese little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a hit on game day with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Spicy Sweet Shrimp with Pineapple SalsaI wanted to find a way to use pineapple salsa in a recipe. I came up with this super simple, delicious and quick dish! —Erin Schillo, Northfield, Ohio
Hungry for more shrimp recipes? Check out this copycat
bang bang shrimp recipe from Bonefish Grill.
Spicy Beef & Pepper Stir-FryThink of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the savory beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
Sweet Sriracha WingsServe these fiery hot wings on game day or any time friends and family gather. If you don’t like a ton of sweetness, add the honey slowly and taste as you go. —Logan Holser, Clarkston, Michigan
Spicy Tilapia Rice BowlI love healthy living and tilapia is a staple in my kitchen. Fresh vegetables are always good but take more prep time, so I use boil-in-bag rice for a shortcut. —Rosalin Johnson, Tupelo, Mississippi
Potato Wedges with Sweet & Spicy SauceI'm a small-business owner, so most of my recipes are a result of not having time to run to the store, and doing with what's on hand. Here's a perfect example. Dip these wedges in anything. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri
Green Chile Shredded PorkPork green chili made in the slow cooker always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Spicy KetchupWhen this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Spicy Apricot-Glazed ChickenLooking for a new chicken idea? Save yourself a trip to the store and check the fridge first. I found out chili sauce, mustard and apricot preserves for a sweet, hot flavor. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Zesty Chicken Soft TacosWe’ve made these tacos with corn and flour tortillas, but naan flatbread is our favorite. Set out toppings and let people make their own. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
Bloody Mary Soup with BeansI love a good Bloody Mary, which inspired this recipe. The soup packs a spicy punch, and it'll warm you right up on a chilly day. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Midwest MaryIn the Midwest, Bloody Marys garnished with meats, cheeses and veggies are works of art. My beverage has skewers of bratwurst, cheese curds and dill pickles. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sweet & Spicy PeanutsWith a caramel-like coating and a touch of heat from the hot sauce, these crunchy peanuts make a tasty anytime snack. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
BulgogiI first made this peppery beef with a recipe from my boss, who lived in Korea in the 1950s. Freeze the ribeyes and slicing's a cinch. —Linda McCane, Chesapeake, Virginia
Chili con Queso El DoradoUsed as a dip or a sauce on burgers, chicken or pork, this creamy queso is spiced with chiles, chipotle peppers and hot pepper sauce. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
White Chili with a KickStore-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. We like it with various combinations of sour cream, green onions, cheese and salsa on top. —Emmajean Anderson, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Captain Russell's JambalayaA tour guide in New Orleans gave me this recipe. It’s so easy to prepare, and the deliciously authentic Cajun flavors make it one of my favorite recipes. —Donna Lamano, Olathe, Kansas
Spicy Refried BeansNeed a quick appetizer? All you need is a can of refried beans, jalapeno pepper, seasonings and cheese. Serve with tortilla chips on the side for scooping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Spicy KetchupWhen this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Creamy Buffalo Chicken DipThis slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of Buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken eases preparation. —Allyson DiLascio, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
Spicy Seafood BisqueThis spicy soup, featuring shrimp, crabmeat and tomatoes, gets its zip from hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper. It's easy to prepare and dresses up any meal. Of all the recipes I've borrowed from my mom, this soup is the one that I've made most often. —Kevin Weeks, North Palm Beach, Florida
Mexican Egg CasseroleTomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy egg bake. It's a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin
Updated: Dec. 12, 2023
