Bang Bang Sauce
Creamy, sweet, and lightly spicy, bang bang sauce is the quick stir-together condiment you’ll want for shrimp, chicken, fries, bowls, and vegetables. It takes about 10 minutes and uses easy supermarket ingredients.
Total
10 min
Servings
About 1 cup, or 8 servings
Level
Easy
Bang bang sauce is a creamy dipping sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a little hot sauce. It is known for its sweet heat and smooth texture, and it is often served with crispy shrimp or chicken.
This homemade version is easy to adjust. Keep it mild with just a small spoonful of sriracha, or make it sharper with extra lime juice and hot sauce.
Use it as a dip, drizzle, sandwich spread, or sauce for rice bowls. Since there is no cooking involved, the main job is tasting and balancing the flavors.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · About 1 cup, or 8 servings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar, optional, for extra sweetness
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of fine salt, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Choose a bowl
Set a small mixing bowl on the counter. Use one with enough room for whisking so the sauce comes together smoothly without splashing over the sides.
2. Add the creamy base
Spoon the mayonnaise into the bowl. This gives the sauce its rich, creamy texture and helps soften the heat from the hot sauce.
3. Stir in the sweet chili sauce
Add the Thai sweet chili sauce. This ingredient brings sweetness, mild chile flavor, and a little tang. Whisk until the mixture looks evenly pink-orange.
4. Add heat slowly
Whisk in 1 tablespoon of sriracha. Taste before adding more. Sriracha is a garlic-chile hot sauce, and its heat can build quickly.
5. Brighten the sauce
Add the lime juice or rice vinegar. This small splash of acid cuts through the richness and keeps the sauce from tasting flat.
6. Season and balance
Stir in the garlic powder. Taste the sauce. If you want it sweeter, add the honey or sugar. If it tastes muted, add a tiny pinch of salt and whisk again.
7. Chill briefly
For the smoothest flavor, cover the bowl and chill the sauce for 15 to 30 minutes. This rest is optional, but it helps the garlic and chile flavors blend.
8. Serve or store
Serve cold or at room temperature as a dip, drizzle, or spread. If you are not using it right away, transfer it to a clean jar or airtight container and refrigerate.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Bang bang sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. The flavor usually gets a little rounder after a few hours in the fridge.
- Storage: Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours because it contains mayonnaise.
- Heat level: For mild sauce, use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon sriracha. For a spicier sauce, use 2 tablespoons or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Mayo swaps: Use light mayonnaise for a thinner, lighter sauce. For a tangier version, replace up to half the mayo with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Vinegar options: Lime juice gives a fresh flavor. Rice vinegar tastes a little softer. White vinegar works in a pinch, but start with 2 teaspoons because it can be sharp.
- If the sauce is too thick: Whisk in 1 teaspoon of water, lime juice, or rice vinegar at a time until it drizzles easily. This is useful for grain bowls or tacos.
Cook's note
Thai sweet chili sauce is the key ingredient here, so check the international aisle if you do not see it near the hot sauces. It is usually mild, glossy, and slightly sticky, with bits of red chile and garlic.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What does bang bang sauce taste like?
It tastes creamy, sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy. The mayonnaise makes it smooth, the sweet chili sauce adds sweetness, and the sriracha brings garlic-chile heat.
Is bang bang sauce very spicy?
It does not have to be. Start with 1 tablespoon or less of sriracha for a mild sauce. Add more only after tasting.
What can I serve with bang bang sauce?
It is great with crispy shrimp, chicken tenders, fish tacos, roasted vegetables, fries, burgers, sandwiches, and rice bowls. It also works as a dip for raw vegetables.
Can I make bang bang sauce without mayonnaise?
Yes. Use plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a vegan mayonnaise instead. Yogurt will make the sauce tangier and less rich.
Can I freeze bang bang sauce?
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise-based sauces can separate and turn watery after thawing.
05Keep cooking
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