Delicious & Healthy Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos: Your Go-To Bonefish Grill Copycat Recipe

Craving the incredible flavor of Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp but looking for a healthier, homemade version? These Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are exactly what you need! This recipe delivers the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and sweet, ensuring these tacos will become a regular rotation in your meal plans – trust me, you’ll be making them on repeat!

For years, my mom and I have been absolutely captivated by the legendary Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill. It’s that dish that just hits all the right notes: a crispy bite of shrimp enveloped in a sauce that’s both vibrant and comforting. After countless attempts to recreate that magic in our own kitchen, I’ve finally perfected a recipe that I confidently believe is the closest copycat out there, and even better, it’s a much healthier alternative without sacrificing any of that irresistible flavor. Get ready to elevate your taco night!

Why You’ll Love This Healthier Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Recipe

• Irresistibly Delicious Sauce: The heart of any great Bang Bang Shrimp dish is its signature sauce, and ours is no exception. This creamy, spicy, and perfectly sweet concoction is so incredibly good, you’ll want to put it on everything! It’s the ideal balance of flavors that makes these tacos truly unforgettable. Be sure to check out my dedicated Bang Bang Sauce recipe for even more inspiration!
• A Lighter, Healthier Copycat: Enjoy all the flavors you love from the famous Bonefish Grill dish without the guilt. Our version skips the deep fryer entirely, opting for a pan-fried approach that keeps the shrimp deliciously crispy while significantly reducing the fat and calorie count. This means you can indulge in your favorite flavors more often! The Bonefish Grill version, while delicious, can rack up over 1000 calories per serving. Our homemade recipe comes in at a much lighter 467 calories per serving (which includes three tacos!), offering a massive calorie saving without compromise on taste.
• Quick & Easy Preparation: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you – these tacos are surprisingly simple to make. With minimal prep and cook time, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
• Highly Customizable: Whether you prefer more heat, less sweetness, or different toppings, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Adjust the sauce to your liking and load up your tacos with your favorite fresh ingredients for a personalized culinary experience.

If you’re a fan of these vibrant flavors, you absolutely must try my Bang Bang Chicken bowls – they capture a similar essence in a different, equally delightful format!

Essential Ingredients and Flavorful Substitutions

Crafting the perfect Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos requires a few key components, but don’t worry – there’s plenty of room for flexibility and customization to suit your pantry and preferences.

• Corn Tortillas: These provide a delightful, authentic texture and flavor base for your tacos. For those who prefer a softer, slightly chewier bite, flour tortillas are an excellent and widely available alternative. You could also try smaller, street-taco-sized corn or flour tortillas for a fun, bite-sized experience.
• Fresh Cilantro: Chopped cilantro adds a burst of fresh, vibrant herbaceousness that brightens the entire dish. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, or it’s not readily available, fresh parsley can offer a similar green note, though with a slightly different flavor profile. Alternatively, you can omit it if you prefer a simpler taste.
• Pico de Gallo: This fresh tomato salsa brings essential acidity, sweetness, and a lovely textural contrast to the creamy shrimp. While a store-bought pico de gallo or fresh salsa is incredibly convenient and a great time-saver, making your own from diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and lime juice will truly elevate the freshness of your tacos.

For the Crispy, Zesty Coleslaw

The coleslaw isn’t just a side; it’s a crucial component that adds crunch and a refreshing tang to balance the rich bang bang shrimp.

• Cabbage Mix: Using a pre-packaged coleslaw mix (often found in the produce section) is the easiest way to go, saving you time on chopping. These mixes typically contain green and red cabbage, and sometimes carrots, adding great color and nutrients. If you have the time and prefer to prepare from scratch, finely shredding fresh green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots will yield an even fresher result.
• Vinegar: White vinegar provides the classic tangy punch to the coleslaw. For a slightly different acidic note, fresh lemon juice or even apple cider vinegar can be used. The acidity is key to cutting through the richness of the shrimp sauce.
• White Sugar: A touch of white sugar in the coleslaw dressing helps to balance the acidity of the vinegar and enhance the natural sweetness of the cabbage. If you’re watching your sugar intake, agave nectar, stevia, or another granulated sugar replacement can be used in equal measure.
• Canola Oil: A neutral-flavored oil like canola oil is perfect for the coleslaw dressing as it emulsifies well and doesn’t overpower the other flavors. Peanut oil, vegetable oil, or a light olive oil (not extra virgin, which can be too strong) are all suitable alternatives.
• Salt & Pepper: Don’t forget these basic seasonings! They elevate all the other flavors in the coleslaw, making it taste more vibrant. Adjust to your personal taste.

For the Star of the Show: Bang Bang Shrimp

The shrimp itself needs to be perfectly cooked and coated to shine in these tacos.

• Avocado Oil: This oil is fantastic for pan-frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a healthier choice than many other frying oils. Other neutral cooking oils such as olive oil (light, not extra virgin), grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil will also work beautifully.
• Shrimp: Fresh or frozen (and thawed) shrimp can be used. Opt for medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails on or off depending on your preference. If you’re looking for variations, this recipe is incredibly adaptable: try it with bite-sized chicken pieces (Bang Bang Chicken, as linked above!) or even firm white fish fillets cut into strips for a Bang Bang Fish Taco. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
• Cornstarch: This is the secret to achieving that wonderfully crispy exterior on the shrimp without deep frying. It creates a light, crunchy coating when pan-fried. All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute, but cornstarch tends to yield a crispier result, and it’s naturally gluten-free.
• Light Mayo: Forming the creamy base of the Bang Bang sauce, light mayonnaise helps to reduce the fat content compared to regular mayo. For an even lighter and tangier sauce, plain Greek yogurt can be used, but be aware that it will impart a slightly different, more pronounced tangy flavor.
• Sweet Chilli Sauce: This is a crucial ingredient that brings the signature sweet and savory notes to the Bang Bang sauce. It provides a delightful sticky texture and a mild warmth. If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, you can create a similar flavor profile by combining a tablespoon of honey (or maple syrup) with an equal amount of your favorite hot sauce.
• Sriracha: For that essential spicy kick! Sriracha adds a garlicky heat that complements the sweet chili sauce perfectly. The amount can be adjusted to your preferred level of spice. Feel free to experiment with other hot sauces like gochujang, sambal oelek, or even a dash of cayenne pepper for a different kind of heat.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Making these healthier Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create a dish that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant!

Step 1: Prepare the Refreshing Coleslaw

In a medium bowl, combine your coleslaw mix with vinegar, white sugar, canola oil, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together thoroughly until the cabbage is evenly coated. This dressing will lightly tenderize the cabbage while infusing it with a sweet and tangy flavor, providing a perfect counterpoint to the spicy shrimp. Set this aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the rest of your taco components.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Iconic Bang Bang Sauce

In a separate small bowl, combine the light mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Whisk these ingredients together until they are completely smooth and well-combined. Taste and adjust the spice level by adding more sriracha if you prefer extra heat, or a touch more sweet chili sauce for added sweetness. This creamy, vibrant sauce is the star of the show, so ensure it’s perfectly balanced to your liking. Set it aside for later coating the shrimp.

Step 3: Perfectly Coat the Shrimp for Maximum Crispiness

Take your peeled and deveined shrimp and place them in a large bowl. Add the cornstarch and toss until each shrimp is evenly coated. To ensure an extra crispy texture and prevent a pasty coating, gently shake off any excess cornstarch from each shrimp before cooking. This step is crucial for achieving that delightful crunch without the need for deep-frying.

Step 4: Pan-Fry the Shrimp to Golden Perfection

Heat the avocado oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot (but not smoking), carefully add the cornstarch-coated shrimp in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, cook the shrimp in batches to ensure they fry evenly and become truly crispy. Fry for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn opaque, pink, and develop a beautiful golden-brown, crispy exterior. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the pan and let them drain on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Step 5: Drench the Crispy Shrimp in Bang Bang Sauce

Once all the shrimp are cooked and drained, transfer them to a clean bowl. Pour the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp. Gently toss until every piece of shrimp is generously coated in the luscious, creamy sauce. This step should be done just before serving to maintain the shrimp’s crispiness and the sauce’s freshness.

Step 6: Assemble Your Flavor-Packed Tacos and Enjoy!

Warm your corn tortillas briefly in the microwave for about 30 seconds (or on a dry skillet for a minute per side) until they are soft and pliable. This makes them easier to fold and more enjoyable to eat. To assemble your tacos, lay out a warm tortilla, add a generous spoonful of the tangy coleslaw, pile on a few pieces of the saucy Bang Bang Shrimp, and finish with a dollop of fresh pico de gallo and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!

Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

What are the best toppings to put on Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos?

The beauty of Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos lies in their versatility, allowing you to customize your toppings to match your cravings. I personally adore serving them with a generous helping of fresh pico de gallo for its zesty brightness, creamy coleslaw for crunch and tang, and a sprinkle of finely chopped cilantro for an herbaceous lift. However, don’t limit yourself! You could also top them with cool sour cream or Mexican crema, a dollop of creamy guacamole, thinly sliced avocado, thinly sliced red onions for a sharp bite, or even a different type of fresh salsa to add a varied flavor dimension. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before eating is always a fantastic idea to enhance all the flavors!

What is Bang Bang sauce made of?

The legendary Bang Bang sauce is a simple yet incredibly flavorful concoction that perfectly complements the crispy shrimp. It’s typically a creamy, spicy, and subtly sweet blend of three main ingredients: mayonnaise (often light mayo for a healthier twist), sweet chili sauce (which provides its distinctive sticky sweetness and mild spice), and sriracha or another hot sauce of your liking for that signature fiery kick. The combination creates a harmonious balance that makes these tacos so addictive.

How many calories are in this Bang Bang Shrimp Taco recipe?

One of the fantastic advantages of making these Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos at home is the significant calorie saving! This homemade recipe contains approximately 467 calories per serving, with each serving consisting of three delicious tacos. In stark contrast, the original Bonefish Grill version can contain upwards of 1070 calories per serving. By choosing our healthier, pan-fried method and lighter ingredients, you’re cutting more than half the calories without sacrificing any of the incredible taste, making it a fantastic option for a lighter yet indulgent meal!

Storing and Reheating Your Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

To ensure your Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos stay fresh and delicious for future enjoyment, proper storage is key. Keeping the components separate will help maintain their texture and flavor.

• To Store: After cooking, allow the shrimp to cool completely. Store the cooked Bang Bang Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s crucial to store the coleslaw, pico de gallo, and tortillas separately in their own airtight containers. This prevents the tortillas from becoming soggy and the coleslaw from losing its crunch.
• To Freeze: The cooked Bang Bang Shrimp freezes wonderfully! Once completely cooled, transfer the shrimp to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply let the frozen shrimp defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• To Reheat: For best results, reheat the shrimp in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through. Alternatively, for extra crispiness, you can reheat the shrimp in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat for a few minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, shaking halfway through. Once the shrimp is warm, gently warm your tortillas (microwave or dry skillet works well), and then assemble your tacos fresh with the refrigerated coleslaw and pico de gallo. This method ensures each component retains its optimal texture and taste.

Meal Prep Tools to Make Life Easier

Having the right tools can make your meal preparation more efficient and enjoyable. Here are a couple of my go-to items that come in handy for this Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos recipe and beyond:

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls for storing your delicious leftovers. They’re perfect for keeping ingredients separate and fresh, and they’re microwave-safe for easy reheating.
• Use these Ziploc bag holders when marinating the shrimp or mixing up your coleslaw. They keep your bags upright and hands-free, making the process cleaner and more convenient.