The Best Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos With Homemade Sauce

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These Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Sauce are the perfect combo of crunch and creamy! The shrimp get perfectly crispy, the sauce has just the right kick, and the cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro make every bite fresh and irresistible. You won’t be able to stop at just one!

Why I love it (and you will too!)

Bang bang sauce has always been a favorite in my house. Creamy mayo, sweet and spicy chili sauce… if you’ve tried it, you know exactly what I mean! Back when I was pescatarian for five years, I got pretty creative with shrimp, testing out all sorts of ways to plate it.

Shrimp in tacos isn’t exactly a secret for being delicious, but one day I whipped up some bang bang sauce to keep in the fridge, and it hit me. This would be incredible in a taco! And yep, it turned out just as good as I imagined.

I’ve always been a fan of saucy dinners. Tacos with a good, creamy sauce? Count me in every time. Another favorite around here is my Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce. Add a homemade sauce to a dish and I’m instantly hooked!

I knew you’d love this recipe too! Seafood can feel intimidating at first, but if you play around with it, it’s actually very rewarding. And totally worth it for that perfectly crispy, saucy shrimp every time!

Ingredients you will need

These tacos are all about crispy shrimp and that creamy homemade bang bang sauce. You’ll find the full ingredient list and exact amounts in the recipe card below.

Homemade Bang Bang Sauce

• Mayonnaise – The creamy base that makes this sauce so hard to stop eating. I make it with my Avocado Oil Mayonnaise and it’s delicious!
• Sweet chili sauce – Adds that sweet flavor bang bang sauce is known for. I always have this bottle in the fridge because it’s great for quick snacks too!
• Sriracha – Brings a little more heat. This is my favorite one I’ve tried!
• Less sodium soy sauce – Just a splash balances out the sweetness. I recommend using less sodium so it doesn’t overpower the sauce.

Crispy Fried Shrimp

• Shrimp – I like using peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails removed so they’re ready to cook and easy to eat in tacos.
• Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika – Simple spices you probably already have that give the shrimp plenty of flavor and season the coating.
• Cornstarch and all-purpose flour – This combo helps create that light, crispy coating when the shrimp fry.
• Eggs – Essential in helping the coating stick to the shrimp.
• Vegetable oil – Used for frying the shrimp until they get the best crunch!

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

These tacos come together with the crispy shrimp and bang bang sauce from above, plus a few simple ingredients.

• Flour tortillas – Soft tortillas are perfect for piling in the shrimp and toppings. Homemade tortillas really take these over the top, so try them with my Homemade Flour Tortillas!
• Purple cabbage – Adds a crunch that pairs perfectly with the shrimp. The purple color makes the tacos look even better too!
• Carrots – A little shredded carrot adds color and another layer of crunch.
• Green onions – These add a fresh bite and a little extra flavor.
• Fresh cilantro – A small sprinkle on top makes the tacos taste even fresher. One of the best parts, in my opinion!

Tools you Will Need

This recipe uses basic kitchen essentials, so nothing complicated here!

• Large skillet or frying pan – This is what you’ll use to fry the shrimp so they get nice and crispy. A good, heavy pan helps the oil heat evenly. I’ve been using this stainless steel set for years!
• Mixing bowls – You’ll need a couple small ones for the dredging station and another for whisking the bang bang sauce together.
• Whisk – Makes beating the eggs and mixing up the sauce so easy.
• Slotted spoon – Helpful for lifting the shrimp to let the extra oil drip off. For me, nothing beats a good sturdy wooden slotted spoon.
• Small skillet (optional) – If you like warming your tortillas first, this is perfect for quickly toasting them.

How to make the best Shrimp Tacos

Ready to make some really, really delicious tacos? Let me show you how:

FAQs and Tips

variations

Use a different Frying oil

Vegetable oil works great for frying and is what I typically use, but you can also use canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil. All of these have a high smoke point and will help the shrimp fry up golden and crispy.

Change the tortillas

You can use corn tortillas if you like, or even lettuce wraps for a lighter, low-carb option. Both add a slightly different texture but are just as tasty!

Make It Ahead

If you want to get a head start, you can mix the bang bang sauce and chop the cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro a few hours ahead of time. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to eat, fry the shrimp and assemble the tacos so everything stays perfectly crispy.

related Recipes

If you’re loving these crispy, saucy Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, you’re going to want to try a few more of my favorites:

• These fish tacos with creamy avocado lime sauce are a favorite around here. Light, fresh, and creamy, they’re another taco you can enjoy year-round!
• I love this simple peanut dipping sauce for dunking shrimp, veggies, or even drizzling over noodles. Creamy, nutty, and just a little sweet, it’s one of my go-to quick sauces.
• For something a little cheesy and spicy, this bacon jalapeño popper chicken salad is so good! t’s perfect for lunch or any time you want someone asking, “Where did you get this recipe?”