Imagine serving up a platter of Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers, bursting with rich flavors and a delightful hint of spice. This dish marries succulent, grilled shrimp with a tangy, refreshing slaw, making it a showstopper at any gathering or an exciting twist to your weekday dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting Flavor: A perfect blend of spicy, tangy, and sweet that dances on your taste buds.
- Easy Preparation: Quick marination and fast grilling make this dish a feasible weeknight dinner option.
- Versatile: Great as a main dish or a mouthwatering appetizer, fitting for summer BBQs or cozy nights in.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Delights seafood lovers and those new to shrimp alike, ensuring everyone comes back for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers requires just a handful of ingredients, each adding a unique touch to the perfect flavor balance. The key players in this recipe not only contribute flavor but also lend texture and vivid color that will excite your senses.
- Garlic: Minced and aromatic, it blends seamlessly into the slaw and sauce, adding depth of flavor.
- Avocado Oil: A heart-healthy oil that lends a subtle, buttery flavor while also helping to bind the ingredients.
- Rice Vinegar: This adds a slight sweetness and tang to the slaw, brightening up the dish.
- Coleslaw Mix: Offers a crunchy contrast to the tender shrimp, making each bite more interesting.
- Jumbo Shrimp: With their robust size and meaty texture, they soak up the flavors of the marinade beautifully and are less likely to dry out on the grill.
- Sriracha: Choose your spice level with this ingredient to give the perfect kick to your Bang Bang sauce.
Variations
Don’t hesitate to get creative with these Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers. This dish is just as adaptable as it is flavorful, allowing you to tailor it perfectly to your preferences or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute the shrimp with grilled tofu or mushrooms, ensuring you still get that delicious Bang Bang sauce experience.
- Extra Spicy: For those who love an extra kick, add more sriracha or toss in some diced fresh jalapeños.
- Keto-Friendly: Use a sugar-free mayonnaise and consider adding a sprinkle of almond flour for a crispy coating.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers
Step 1: Prepare Your Marinade and Slaw
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, avocado oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, ground ginger, and lime juice. Add in your coleslaw mix and chopped cilantro. Toss these together until well combined, and season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, fish sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk thoroughly until the sauce reaches a creamy, smooth consistency. Set it aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the shrimp.
Step 3: Skewer and Grill the Shrimp
Prepare your shrimp by tossing them with avocado oil, sesame oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Once evenly coated, thread them onto soaked wooden skewers, using two per skewer set to ensure stability. Grill them over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes per side, brushing with Bang Bang sauce just before they’re done for an extra layer of flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers
- Optimal Grill Temperature: Keep your grill at medium-high heat (around 350-400°F) to ensure shrimp are perfectly cooked without being chewy.
- Double Skewering: Using two skewers for each set prevents shrimp from spinning, ensuring even cook and easy flipping.
- Sauce Mastery: Make your Bang Bang sauce ahead of time, as flavors develop better with a bit of resting.
- Freshness is Key: Use fresh shrimp to maximize flavor and texture, resulting in the best possible outcome for your skewers.
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers
Garnishes
Top your Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for a fresh, herbaceous note. A squeeze of lime over the finished dish adds a vibrant citrus burst that complements the spice and richness of the shrimp.
Side Dishes
Pair these skewers with a cool cucumber salad or steamed jasmine rice. Both bring refreshing elements that balance the richness of the shrimp, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a creative presentation, serve these skewers standing upright in a shallow dish filled with cooked quinoa. Not only does this make for a stunning visual, but it also provides a hearty side dish right on the platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover shrimp and slaw can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They should be eaten within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and flavor.
Freezing
Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers can be frozen before cooking. Once skewered and marinated, lay them flat in a single layer in freezer bags, ensuring as little air as possible is trapped inside, and freeze up to a month.
Reheating
To reheat, allow skewers to thaw completely if frozen. Preheat your grill to medium-high and warm the skewers, brushing with additional sauce to restore moisture and flavor, just until heated through.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers?
Yes! Just be sure to thoroughly thaw and pat them dry to remove excess moisture, which can affect grilling.
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What can I use instead of mayonnaise in the sauce?
For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt which will provide creaminess with fewer calories.
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Can I make the Bang Bang Sauce less spicy?
Absolutely. Reduce the amount of sriracha for a milder sauce or replace it with a milder hot sauce.
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How do I avoid the shrimp from sticking to the grill?
Ensure the grill grates are well-oiled before cooking, and avoid moving the skewers too soon to give them time to form a nice sear.
Final Thoughts
These Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers are sure to be a sensational addition to your recipe repertoire. Vibrant in both flavor and presentation, they’re a joyous dish perfect for bringing spice into your kitchen. Dive into this adventure and savor every bite of this delightful delicacy.
Print
Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer or Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Experience the bold flavors of Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers, featuring juicy, tender shrimp grilled to perfection and coated in a spicy, creamy sauce. Served alongside a vibrant homemade coleslaw, this dish offers a delightful combination of smoky, spicy, and tangy notes perfect for summer barbecues or a quick, tasty dinner.
Ingredients
For the Slaw:
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 8 oz coleslaw mix (or shredded cabbage)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/3 cup homemade mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp fish sauce
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Shrimp:
- 8 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 10 minutes)
- 1 1/2 lbs jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined with tail off
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Prior to starting, soak the wooden skewers in warm water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Make the Slaw: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together garlic, avocado oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, ground ginger, and lime juice until well combined. Add the coleslaw mix and chopped cilantro, tossing everything to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside while preparing the shrimp.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, garlic, fish sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Set aside for serving.
- Marinate Shrimp: In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with avocado oil, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until well coated. Thread the shrimp onto two skewers parallel to each other, fitting 6 shrimp per set of skewers, to prevent spinning.
- Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high (350-400°F). Lightly oil the grill grates using a paper towel dipped in oil held with tongs to prevent sticking and flare-ups.
- Grill Shrimp: Place the skewers on the grill, lid closed, and cook for about 2 minutes per side until the shrimp are nearly cooked through. Brush generously with the Bang Bang sauce and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fully cooked and opaque.
- Finish and Serve: Remove shrimp from grill, brush with any remaining sauce, and serve immediately alongside the prepared slaw.
Notes
- Use jumbo shrimp for larger, more satisfying bites.
- Adjust the sriracha in the sauce for preferred spice levels.
- Soaking skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Grilling time may vary slightly depending on the heat of your grill and size of shrimp.
- Serve with lime wedges for extra tang, if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewered shrimp and approximately 1/2 cup slaw
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
