Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

A Flavor-Packed Seafood Dinner

If you’re looking for an easy shrimp taco recipe that delivers on both crunch and flavor, these Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are a must-try! With crispy, golden shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, these tacos are the perfect way to switch up your usual seafood dinner routine. Whether you’re a shrimp lover or just tolerating them for your significant other (like me!), these tacos are an irresistible combination of crispy, creamy, and fresh flavors that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These shrimp tacos are restaurant-quality but surprisingly easy to make at home. The shrimp are breaded and fried until golden, then tossed in a bold bang bang sauce recipe made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Paired with crunchy shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, these tacos strike the perfect balance of creamy, crispy, and tangy.

If you’re a fan of seafood dinner recipes, try my Chili Lime Cod or Salmon Bowls for more inspiration!

The Secret to the Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

The shrimp taco sauce is the real star of the show here. The combination of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors takes these tacos to the next level. If you love a good bang bang sauce recipe, this one is simple but absolutely packed with flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking—more sriracha for heat, or a touch more honey for sweetness.

Pro Tip: When making your sauce, use measuring spoons to get the perfect balance of ingredients every time. A good set of measuring cups will also come in handy when prepping the rest of this recipe!

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tails removed)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Oil for frying

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
• 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional)

For the Tacos:

• 8 small flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or purple)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• Optional toppings: diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, pickled onions

Instructions

*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page

Step One: Marinate the Shrimp

• If using frozen shrimp, defrost first.
• In a bowl, soak the shrimp in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step Two: Prepare the Coating

• In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.

Step Three: Fry the Shrimp

• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
• Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, then coat them in the breadcrumb mixture.

• Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Step Four: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey or sugar until smooth.

Step Five: Assemble the Tacos

• Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in foil and placing them in a warm oven.
• Use a rotary grater with the slicing blade to quickly shred the cabbage.
• Add a layer of shredded cabbage to each tortilla, followed by the crispy shrimp. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce.

Step Six: Garnish and Serve

• Top with chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime, and any optional toppings you like. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

If you like this recipe try my Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken for a sweet and savory dinner

Cooking Method Alternatives

1. Pan-Frying

Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

After coating the shrimp in the breading mixture, cook them in the skillet, flipping once, for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.

2. Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Spray the breaded shrimp lightly with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again, until crispy and cooked through.

3. Baking

Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the breaded shrimp on the sheet, spray them lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.

4. Sautéing (No Breading)

Skip the breading entirely and sauté the shrimp in a bit of olive oil with garlic, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, just until they’re opaque and cooked through.

More delicious one pot meals: Try Goodness Gracious Greek Bowls for a Mediterranean twist or Unstuffed Peppers for a hearty, veggie-packed meal.

Tools to Make This Recipe Easier

• Juicer: Squeeze fresh lime juice effortlessly.
• Rotary Grater: Perfect for shredding cabbage with ease.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Essential for getting flavors just right.
• Herb Scissors: Quickly chop fresh cilantro for garnish.