Transform one of America’s favorite shrimp appetizers by grilling it up. Grilled bang bang shrimp is sweet, tangy and oh so addictive.
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Table of Contents
What is bang bang shrimp?
Bang bang shrimp is a seafood appetizer made popular by Bonefish Grill. The shrimp are fried in a light batter, presumably with corn starch, and tossed in a mayo-based sauce.
Most copycat recipes online create the bang bang sauce by mixing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and sriracha sauce.
This recipe is slightly healthier because instead of frying the shrimp, we’re going to grill them. Then, they you toss them in a similar mayo-based sauce, but instead of the chili sauce and sriracha, I’m using Honey FYR BBQ Sauce.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand. Dukes, Best Foods and Kewpie are all great choices.
- Honey FYR BBQ Sauce: This new BBQ sauce is made with honey, garlic and cayenne. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and heat.
- Raw Shrimp: Use whatever size you prefer. I like the 16-20 count for this recipe, and I buy the package that is already peeled and deveined. I like to leave the tails on, but that’s your call.
- Oil: This will help prevent the shrimp from sticking to the grill. I use canola oil.
- Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: To season the shrimp.
- Green Onions: for garnish.
Substitutions: If you don't have the Honey FYR sauce, you can use sweet chili sauce, hot sauce or any other spicy BBQ sauce.
See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to grill bang bang shrimp
Heat your grill to high heat (400-425F degrees) with a direct heat zone.
- STEP ONE: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and barbecue sauce.
- STEP TWO: Pat the peeled, deveined shrimp dry with a paper towel. Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Toss with oil, salt, pepper and garlic.
- STEP THREE: Place the seasoned shrimp on the grill in a single layer and grill for a few minutes per side or until golden and opaque.
PRO TIP: You can place the shrimp on skewers to make them easier to flip. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water first so they don't catch fire.
- STEP FOUR: Transfer the grilled shrimp to a clean bowl. Then, pour the bang bang shrimp sauce on top and toss gently.
How to serve grilled bang bang shrimp
Transfer the grilled shrimp to a platter. You can add shredded cabbage on the bottom for more texture and flavor. Garnish with sliced green onions.
These are also great in shrimp tacos. Just remove the shrimp tails and layer in tortillas with shredded cabbage or slaw, extra sauce and a squeeze of lime juice.
Storage
Store leftover bang bang shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. They’re great cold or reheated in a microwave. They don’t freeze well.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- Save time, buy shrimp that is already peeled and deveined
- If you like extra heat, add a couple shakes of hot sauce to the mayo
- Don’t overcook the shrimp
Frequently Asked Questions
Bang Bang sauce was made famous by Bonefish Grill. I’m not sure that they’ve ever shared their secret recipe. It’s presumably made with mayo, sweet chili sauce and sriracha. Some copycat recipes also add vinegar, honey or garlic.
While they are both mayonnaise based, they’re not the same. Bang bang sauce has sweet chili paste mixed in. Yum yum sauce is usually made with tomato paste, sugar and garlic.
Bang bang shrimp has somewhat of an Asian flavor profile. It goes great on a bed of shredded cabbage because the cabbage soaks up all of the sauce to make a slaw.
You can also serve the grilled shrimp with Hawaiian Grilled Pineapple Coleslaw, Extra Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad or other grilled veggies.
More shrimp recipes
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Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Honey FYR BBQ Sauce*
- 2 lbs raw shrimp, peeled, deveined
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Optional Garnish
- 1 cup green cabbage, shredded
- 1 green onion, sliced
Instructions
- Heat Grill: Heat your grill to high (400-425F degrees) with a direct heat zone.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayo and BBQ sauce.
- Season: Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Add the oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Toss to coat.
- Grill: Place seasoned shrimp on the preheated grill in a single layer. Grill a few minutes per side until golden and opaque.
- Toss: Place in a large bowl with the sauce. Gently toss to combine.
- Serve: Place the shredded cabbage on a large plate. Add the shrimp on top. Garnish with green onions.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
