This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is loaded with flavor but low on calories! It’s a skinny copycat version of the popular Bonefish Grill appetizer. You get all the flavor (thanks to the spicy but creamy bang bang sauce) with fewer calories. Delicious, easy, and crave-worthy! This makes a great appetizer or easy dinner.
What’s in this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe?
This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe is a Bonefish Grill copycat recipe but made to be a little bit healthier. I just love lighter versions of restaurant favorites! The shrimp is grilled instead of fried, plus we lightened up the sauce even more by using Greek yogurt as the base. You get all the flavor but non of the fat– my favorite kind of dish!
- Shrimp: Any size of shrimp will work. Your cooking time will vary depending on how large your shrimp are, so keep a close eye on them.
- Bang Bang Sauce: The secret healthy ingredient in the sauce is Greek yogurt. It adds all the creaminess you need without the added fats. Greek Yogurt can be a cooking substitute in SO many dishes, and it worked like a charm for this sauce.
- Green Onions: Add a pop of color, freshness, and oniony flavor.
Pro Tip: If your shrimp are frozen, make sure to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before starting the recipe!
Variations on Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
This sauce is crazy delicious, and I’m here to tell you you don’t have to limit yourself to just shrimp. Pour this sauce over chunks of chicken, tofu, or steak; cauliflower florets; scallops, or salmon fillets. You can even enjoy it with french fries or mozzarella sticks!
Bonefish Grill describes it as “crispy shrimp tossed in our signature creamy, spicy sauce.” Our version skips the crispy fried element and doubles down on the creamy, slightly spicy sauce.
Typically the sauce is made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and lots of spices. We have substituted Greek yogurt for the mayo, saving a ton of calories. You’ll never notice the difference (or might I say you’ll like this version better!)
The name refers to the sweet Thai chili sauce that gives the shrimp a kick! The dish was created and named by the head chefs of Bonefish Grill.
It’s not very hot at all. There’s a mild spice with a bit of a bite, but I wouldn’t consider it to be the kind of hot that sits in your mouth after eating. If you prefer a spicier version, you can add in some red pepper flakes or go with a more spicy hot sauce. I like that kids and adults can both enjoy the milder version I made
Not really. While they are both mayo-based sauces, bang bang is sweet, while yum yum sauce is more savory and tomatoey.
Each skewer of 4-5 shrimp is under 100 calories. We usually eat 2-3 skewers per person. Is this heaven? Bonefish Grill reports that their fried version is over 800 calories so I’ll count this as a win!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover bang bang shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan with a little bit of olive oil set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I always ordered this dish as an appetizer, and I think it’s just the perfect amount of food to serve before a meal. I especially love this as a romantic appetizer for a date night meal at home.
If you want to make this bang bang shrimp into a meal, make these bang bang shrimp bowls. Or cook up the shrimp and cover it in the sauce as directed, and serve it with basmati rice or mashed cauliflower and roasted veggies, fresh pasta, or turn it into shrimp tacos! Finish things off with a round of Skinny Margaritas!
5-Star Review
“Shrimps are my passion. I can’t survive without them just like without any of the seafood. Your recipe is a treasure for me. And the sauce I often make for other dishes. How good that your recipe is both healthy and delicious.” – Sam Roberts
Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp 26-30, peeled & deveined
- ½ cup Bang Bang Sauce (click for recipe)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions sliced at an angle, divided
Recommended Equipment
- Bamboo skewers (optional)
Instructions
- If using skewers, place them in a shallow baking dish and cover them with water and soak them 10 minutes prior to using.
- Pour half the sauce in a smaller bowl to use as a dipping sauce. Set aside.½ cup Bang Bang Sauce
- If using skewers, thread 4-5 shrimp on each and brush the remaining sauce over the shrimp.1 pound shrimp
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Drizzle 2 tablespoons oil onto the skillet or griddle and place the shrimp in the skillet.
- Cook the shrimp 1-2 minutes per side, or until shrimp is opaque. (Adjust the cooking time if using different size shrimp.)
- Transfer shrimp to a serving dish and brush lightly with the reserved sauce. Garnish with extra chopped green onions.2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- Serve immediately, with a dollop of dipping sauce, on the side.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
-
- Be sure the shrimp is peeled and deveined before cooking.
- The shrimp cooks really quickly, so you just need to cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side (cook just until opaque)
- Properly cooked shrimp are an opaque white color with some pink and bright red accents and 120°F internally.
- If you use bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water before starting.
Nutrition Information
These were AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing 😋
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know, Heidi!
Shrimps are my passion. I can’t survive without them just like without any of the seafood. Your recipe is a treasure for me. And the sauce I often make for other dishes. How good that your recipe is both healthy and delicious.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Sam!
I tried to make this on a George foreman type grill. When I turned the shrimp over, the sauce just ran off of it instead of cooking into it. Is the solution to not cook it on that kind of grill since the grill has a slant to it?
Yes, I would try on a flatter surface!
Can I just bake these
Sure! Just be sure to keep an eye on them, they’ll cook fast!
These were FANTASTIC! Easy to make and they have a really good flavor. I used “large” shrimps and definitely had to keep an eye on them so they didn’t overcook in the grill pan. Next time, when it isn’t raining, I am going to try these on the real grill!
This makes me so happy! Thanks Cat :)
Can you bake this instead of grilling? What would the time/temp be?
Sure! You can bake for 6-8 minutes at 350F.
I was a bit SKEPTICAL about the sauce but omg!! Once the sauce is cooked on, it’s just absolutely amazing!! I ended up throwing some veggies IN a pan and put some of the sauce on IT…Sooo good!!
YAY! So much love for this comment :)
Delicious!
This looks great! question: how well does it warm up for later in the week as left overs?
I’ve never found shrimp to be just awesome warmed but, but it does pretty well. The sauce warms up really well. Hope you love it!
Interesting article! Thank you for sharing them! I hope you will continue to have similar posts to share with everyone!