BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Recipe is your ultimate guide to creating those irresistible, creamy, and slightly spicy shrimp tacos that are a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone craving restaurant-quality flavor at home, offering a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to dining out.
Key Ingredients for BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- High-heat cooking oil (like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil), for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For Assembling Tacos:
- 8-12 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- Diced red onion or green onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
How to Make BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
This BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Recipe is a culinary adventure made easy, promising a burst of flavor in every bite. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to craft these satisfying tacos, featuring succulent, crispy shrimp coated in a luscious, tangy Bang Bang sauce. The preparation time is approximately 45 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal or weekend treat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy, well-coated shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to create your seasoned flour.
- Set Up Breading Station: In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs until well combined. In a third shallow bowl, place the 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Shrimp: Working in batches, dredge each dried shrimp first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the floured shrimp into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press the shrimp into the panko breadcrumbs, coating them completely. Place the breaded shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet and repeat with the remaining shrimp.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While you’re breading the shrimp, prepare the irresistible Bang Bang sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha (or to your spice preference), 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat about 2 inches of your chosen high-heat cooking oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breaded shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (you may need to fry in batches). Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Coat the Shrimp in Sauce: Once all the shrimp are fried, place the warm, crispy shrimp in a clean bowl. Pour about half of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Add more sauce if desired, but be careful not to make it too soupy, as you still want the shrimp to retain some crispiness.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm your tortillas according to package instructions (or briefly heat them on a dry skillet). Spoon a generous portion of the saucy Bang Bang shrimp onto each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, diced red onion or thinly sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Serve: Serve the BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
Why You’ll Love This BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
You’ll absolutely adore the BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos because of that incredibly addictive, creamy, and slightly sweet-spicy sauce that perfectly coats the crispy, succulent shrimp. It’s the unparalleled flavor explosion that sets these tacos apart, easily rivaling your favorite takeout joint but at a fraction of the cost, making it a budget-friendly yet gourmet meal. The medley of fresh, crunchy toppings like crisp lettuce and zesty cilantro creates a delightful textural contrast, elevating each bite.
Forget the restaurant markups and the long wait times! Making these BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos at home means you control every ingredient, from the quality of the shrimp to the exact level of spice in your sauce, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal tailored precisely to your liking. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers maximum impact, proving that sensational seafood tacos are well within your reach, any night of the week. Prepare to be hooked!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
For optimal freshness, it’s best to store any leftover Bang Bang shrimp and sauce separately from the taco toppings and tortillas.
- Bang Bang Shrimp: Once cooled, place the fried and sauced shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days. It’s important to note that the crispiness of the fried shrimp will diminish over time once sauced.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Toppings: Keep shredded lettuce, onions, and cilantro in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will generally last for 3-4 days.
- Tortillas: Store warmed tortillas in a zip-top bag at room temperature to prevent them from drying out.
Reheating and Reassembling:
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, it’s recommended to reheat the shrimp separately to try and regain some crispiness.
- Reheating Shrimp: The best method is to lightly pan-fry the sauced shrimp in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven or air fryer at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes. Microwaving is not recommended as it will likely make the shrimp soggy.
- Reassembling Tacos: Warm your tortillas, then add the reheated shrimp, followed by your desired toppings. Serve promptly.
Freezing:
It is not recommended to freeze the cooked and sauced Bang Bang shrimp as the texture will significantly suffer upon thawing. The Bang Bang sauce itself can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator and whisk well before using.
Final Thoughts
The BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Recipe delivers a perfectly balanced explosion of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch. This recipe is designed for you to create a restaurant-worthy dish with ease, proving that delicious and impressive meals are achievable at home. Dive in and enjoy this incredibly satisfying taco experience!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy, well-coated shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to create your seasoned flour.1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs until well combined. In a third shallow bowl, place the 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs.2 large large eggs, beaten, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Working in batches, dredge each dried shrimp first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the floured shrimp into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press the shrimp into the panko breadcrumbs, coating them completely. Place the breaded shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet and repeat with the remaining shrimp.1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 large large eggs, beaten
- While you’re breading the shrimp, prepare the irresistible Bang Bang sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha (or to your spice preference), 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Heat about 2 inches of your chosen high-heat cooking oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breaded shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (you may need to fry in batches). Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.High-heat cooking oil
- Once all the shrimp are fried, place the warm, crispy shrimp in a clean bowl. Pour about half of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Add more sauce if desired, but be careful not to make it too soupy, as you still want the shrimp to retain some crispiness.1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Warm your tortillas according to package instructions (or briefly heat them on a dry skillet). Spoon a generous portion of the saucy Bang Bang shrimp onto each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, diced red onion or thinly sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.8-12 count small flour or corn tortillas, warmed, Shredded lettuce or cabbage, Diced red onion or green onions, Chopped cilantro
- Serve the BEST Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.Lime wedges, for serving