Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos

Are you ready to ignite your taste buds with a symphony of flavors and textures? Look no further than these Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos! This recipe takes the beloved crispy shrimp concept and elevates it to new heights with a creamy, spicy, and utterly addictive sauce, all nestled in warm tortillas with refreshing accompaniments. Forget boring weeknight meals; these tacos are a culinary adventure waiting to happen, perfect for a lively dinner with friends, a satisfying family meal, or even a treat for yourself when you’re craving something truly special.

The Allure of Bang Shrimp Tacos

What makes Bang Shrimp Tacos so incredibly popular? It’s the perfect harmony of contrasts. You have the satisfying crunch of perfectly fried shrimp, coated in a light and airy batter. Then comes the star of the show: the “Bang” sauce. This magical concoction is typically a creamy, subtly sweet, and wonderfully spicy blend that coats each piece of shrimp, delivering a kick that’s exciting but not overwhelming. Finally, all of this deliciousness is tucked into soft tortillas, often with a crisp slaw or fresh vegetables, providing a cool and refreshing counterpoint to the rich shrimp. It’s a dish that hits all the right notes – crispy, creamy, spicy, fresh, and utterly craveable.

Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite

This particular recipe for Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos focuses on maximizing flavor and ensuring a fantastic texture. We’ll guide you through each step to achieve shrimp that are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. The homemade bang sauce is incredibly easy to whip up and can be adjusted to your preferred level of spice. Plus, we’ve included fresh, vibrant toppings that complement the rich shrimp and sauce beautifully, making every bite a delightful experience.
Beyond the incredible taste, these tacos are surprisingly approachable to make at home. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of frying shrimp; with a few simple tips, you’ll be a pro in no time. And the best part? These tacos come together relatively quickly, making them a fantastic option for a weeknight meal that feels gourmet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s what you’ll need to create these Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos:

For the Crispy Shrimp:

Shrimp: 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off (your preference). Fresh or frozen (thawed) work equally well.

Cornstarch: 1/2 cup. This is crucial for creating that wonderfully crispy coating.

All-Purpose Flour: 1/4 cup. Helps bind the coating.

Eggs: 2 large, whisked. For dipping the shrimp.

Salt & Black Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the shrimp before coating.

Vegetable Oil (or other neutral oil): For frying. You’ll need enough to fill your pan with about 1-2 inches of oil.

For the Explosive Bang Sauce:

Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup. The creamy base of our sauce.

Sweet Chili Sauce: 1/4 cup. Adds sweetness and a mild kick. Look for a good quality sweet chili sauce in the Asian aisle of your grocery store.

Sriracha: 1-2 tablespoons, or to taste. This is where the “bang” comes from! Adjust according to your spice preference.

Lime Juice: 1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed. Brightens up the sauce.

Honey or Agave Nectar (optional): 1 teaspoon, if you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce.

For Assembling the Tacos:

Tortillas: 12 small corn or flour tortillas. Warm them up just before serving!

Cabbage Slaw: 2 cups shredded cabbage (a mix of green and purple for color is great).

Radishes: 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes, for a peppery crunch.

Fresh Cilantro: 1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish.

Lime Wedges: For serving.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Let’s get cooking! Follow these steps to create your own Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos.

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Pat Dry: Lay the peeled and deveined shrimp on a plate lined with paper towels. Cover with more paper towels and gently press to remove as much moisture as possible. This is a critical step for crispy shrimp!
Season: Season the shrimp lightly with salt and black pepper.
Set Up Breading Station: In one shallow dish, combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour. In another shallow dish, whisk the eggs.
Dredge: Working in batches, dip each shrimp first into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Then, transfer the shrimp to the cornstarch and flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour mixture. Place the coated shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet.

Step 2: Make the Explosive Bang Sauce

Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you like it spicier), and fresh lime juice.
Whisk: Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the sriracha for spice or add the optional honey/agave nectar for a touch more sweetness, if desired. Set aside.

Step 3: Fry the Crispy Shrimp

Heat Oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven until it’s about 1-2 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a pinch of flour into it; if it sizzles immediately, it’s ready.
Fry Shrimp: Carefully add the coated shrimp to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy shrimp.
Cook Until Golden: Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are golden brown and cooked through. They will turn pink and opaque.
Drain: Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.

Step 4: Assemble the Tacos

Warm Tortillas: While the shrimp are still hot, warm your tortillas. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side, in the microwave (wrapped in a damp paper towel) for 15-30 seconds, or wrapped in foil in the oven for a few minutes.
Coat Shrimp with Sauce: In a large bowl, gently toss the warm crispy shrimp with about half to two-thirds of the Explosive Bang Sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated. Reserve some sauce for drizzling.
Build Tacos: Lay out your warm tortillas. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of the shredded cabbage slaw and a few slices of radish. Top with 3-4 pieces of sauced shrimp.
Garnish and Serve: Drizzle with extra Bang Sauce, sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro, and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Tips for the Best Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos

Don’t Skip Patting the Shrimp Dry: Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy fried food.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is crucial for maintaining oil temperature and ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Use a Neutral Oil: Vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil are good choices as they have a high smoke point and won’t impart unwanted flavors.

Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to add more or less sriracha to the sauce to suit your preference. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also be added to the flour mixture for an extra kick.

Prepare Ahead: You can make the bang sauce and chop your toppings ahead of time. Just fry the shrimp and assemble the tacos right before serving for the best results.

Get Creative with Toppings: While cabbage and radish are fantastic, feel free to experiment with other toppings like thinly sliced red onion, pickled jalapeños, or even a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco.

Keep Warm: If you’re frying shrimp in batches, you can keep the cooked shrimp warm in a low oven (around 200°F/90°C) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Serving Suggestions

Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos are a meal in themselves, but if you’re looking to round out the experience, here are some ideas:

Rice: A simple side of steamed jasmine or brown rice.

Black Beans: A bowl of seasoned black beans, perhaps with a sprinkle of cilantro.

Corn Salad: A fresh corn salad with avocado, red onion, and lime.

Mango Salsa: The sweetness of mango salsa would be a delightful contrast to the spicy shrimp.

Guacamole and Chips: You can never go wrong with classic guacamole and tortilla chips.

Healthier Alternatives (Without Compromising Flavor!)

While the crispy fried shrimp is undeniably delicious, you can make these tacos a bit lighter without sacrificing flavor:

Baked or Air-Fried Shrimp: Instead of deep frying, you can bake or air fry the coated shrimp.

Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place coated shrimp on the sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops of the shrimp with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.

Air Frying: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place shrimp in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Air fry for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden and cooked through.

Greek Yogurt Swap: For an even lighter sauce, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. This will add a tangy note and boost protein.

The Perfect Weeknight Thrill

These Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. They bring a restaurant-quality meal right to your kitchen table, promising a burst of flavor that will leave everyone asking for more. So, next time you’re looking to add some excitement to your dinner routine, grab these ingredients and prepare to create a culinary masterpiece. Your taste buds will thank you!
Remember, the key to great food is not just following a recipe, but understanding the techniques and adjusting to your own preferences. Don’t be afraid to taste as you go and make these Explosive Bang Shrimp Tacos truly your own. Enjoy every single explosive bite!