Bang bang shrimp is a classic appetizer or main dish featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a sweet spicy and tangy sauce. With flavors like that, you’ll want sides that complement and balance out the heat and richness. Luckily, there are tons of options for what to serve with bang bang shrimp!
In this article, I’ll share 15 of my favorite side dish ideas to pair with everyone’s favorite shrimp. I’ll also explain why these sides work so well. My goal is to give you lots of inspiration to create a full, delicious, and well-rounded bang bang shrimp meal.
Why Choose the Right Sides?
Picking the right sides to go with bang bang shrimp is important for a few reasons
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Flavor – You’ll want sides that enhance the sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Sides that are too bland or overpowering don’t pair well.
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Balance – The richness of the fried shrimp and mayo-based sauce needs lighter, healthier sides to balance it out.
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Texture – Crunchy, cooling, and fluffy textures complement the crispy shrimp.
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Color – Vibrant colors from veggies and fruits make the meal more appealing.
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Variety – Having a mix of starchy, veggie, and fresh sides makes the meal more interesting.
With those goals in mind, here are 15 of my top recommendations for what to serve with bang bang shrimp!
1. Jasmine Rice
Fluffy jasmine rice is a perfect pairing with bang bang shrimp. Its neutral flavor doesn’t compete while its texture complements the crispy shrimp. The subtle floral aroma also enhances the Asian flavors. Cooked rice can be used as a base for building a bowl.
2. Crunchy Cucumber Salad
A light cucumber salad adds some healthy crunch and bright flavor. Thinly sliced cucumbers and a rice wine dressing provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich shrimp. The cool crispness is a nice contrast.
3. Tostadas
Crispy tostada shells can serve as an edible vehicle for the shrimp and sauce. The crunch stands up well to the texture of the fried shrimp. Load them up with bang bang shrimp and fun fixings like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and lime crema.
4. Stuffed Mushrooms
Earthy, savory stuffed mushrooms are a delicious side. I like to mix cream cheese with spinach, garlic, and Parmesan, then stuff large mushroom caps. The texture and flavor pair wonderfully with the shrimp.
5. Zucchini Noodles
For a lighter carb option, zucchini noodles are a great choice. They hold up well when mixed with the shrimp and sauce. The mild flavor lets the shrimp shine. For added texture, quickly grill or sauté the zoodles.
6. Simple Steamed Vegetables
Quick steamed broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or green beans make an easy veggie side. Their bright colors and tender-crisp texture balance the fried shrimp. Toss them with a little sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
7. Soft Flour Tortillas
Warm flour tortillas are a fun vessel for eating the saucy shrimp. Their softness contrasts with the crispy shrimp. Let guests build their own tacos filled with bang bang shrimp and fresh garnishes like shredded cabbage, diced pineapple, and cilantro.
8. Garlic Noodles
Buttery garlic noodles are an ideal base for the shrimp. Egg noodles or linguine tossed in butter, olive oil, garlic, and parsley soak up the sweet and spicy sauce deliciously. They also balance the richness.
9. Fresh Mango Salsa
For a fruity twist, a mango salsa adds complementary sweet and acidic flavors. Dice mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. The brightness cuts through the heavy flavors beautifully.
10. Asian Coleslaw
An Asian chopped salad pairs wonderfully with the Thai-inspired shrimp. Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with almond slivers, sesame seeds, scallions, and a ginger dressing for crunch and potent flavors.
11. Fried Rice
For a heartier option, make a batch of fried rice with diced veggies, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, and eggs. The savory rice soaks up excess sauce and adds lots of texture. The shrimp can be served on top or mixed in.
12. Grilled Pineapple
If you want something fruity and unexpected, go for grilled pineapple slices. The caramelized natural sugars bring out pineapple’s already delicious sweetness and pair divinely with the shrimp.
13. Edamame
For an extra boost of plant-based protein, try some steamed edamame sprinkled with sea salt. The tender soybeans have a nutty, savory flavor that complements the bold shrimp.
14. Crispy Wonton Chips
If you want something delightfully crispy, bake up a batch of DIY wonton chips. Simply brush wonton wrappers with oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea salt, and bake until golden. Use the chips to scoop up leftover sauce.
15. Fresh Spring Rolls
Finally, resist the frying by making fresh spring rolls stuffed with shrimp and crisp veggies. The cool, fresh rolls wrapped in tender rice paper make a lighter pairing. Dip them in the sweet chili sauce for a flavor boost.
Time to Dine on Delicious Bang Bang Shrimp
As you can see, the possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to what to serve with everyone’s favorite crispy bang bang shrimp. Using my handy guide, think about balance, flavors, textures, colors, and variety when putting together your meal. Some of my top picks are jasmine rice, cucumber salad, tostadas, stuffed mushrooms, zucchini noodles, steamed veggies, tortillas, garlic noodles, mango salsa, Asian slaw, fried rice, grilled pineapple, edamame, wonton chips, and fresh spring rolls.
Bang bang shrimp bowls ingredients
Most everything you’ll find in this dish is healthy and easy to access from your regular grocery store.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Rice forms the base of the bowl.
I just use regular old Carolina rice, but feel free to sub in whatever kind you keep on hand.
You could even sub in another grain like quinoa or bulgur or freekeh.
We’ve settled on raw cucumber, red bell peppers, avocado, and scallions as our favorite veggies.
But we experimented with some others too!
Really you can use anything you like. Here are a few other suggestions:
- Matchstick carrots
- Steamed and shelled edamame
- Blanched green beans or asparagus
- Broccoli or cauliflower
- Greens such as baby kale, spinach, or arugula
- Corn
- Tomatoes (maybe grape tomatoes?)
- Beans (black beans or white beans?)
- Pickled red onions or radish
Just to name a few!
I like to buy jumbo frozen shrimp that have had their guts taken out but still have their tails and shells on. Don’t ask me why, I just think they have the best flavor!.
Use whatever you like best. You can even buy pre-cooked shrimp if you want! That would be a great time-saver.
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are my go-to for just about any kind of meat/protein I cook.
To me, the amounts on the recipe card below are just right. Feel free to change them to suit your own tastes.
If you don’t want the shrimp to stick to the cooking surface, you can use any kind of cooking oil.
The sauce begins with mayo. I like regular, full-fat mayo, but if you want you can sub with light mayo or vegan mayo for an egg-free option.
Sweet chili sauce gives the bang bang shrimp its signature flavor.
It’s very sweet and syrupy, almost like a thin jam, and there’s just a hint of spice. It’s not really spicy, but it has a bit more of something than, say, duck sauce.
We like a little more heat, so I add in a healthy squirt of sriracha.
Not only does it make you tingle more, but it also has extra spices that really bring out the flavors of the bang bang sauce.
If you like your bowls more on the mild side, you can add less or omit this ingredient.
I love this ingredient!
Toasted sesame oil adds something so special to this recipe! There’s nothing else quite like it.
Be sure to keep it refrigerated once it’s been opened. It goes rancid very quickly!
This is another one you can add to taste or omit if you don’t like spicy food.
Crushed red pepper flakes just bring in an extra pop of heat with every few bites.
Grilled bang bang shrimp bowls: a fresh, easy dinner! Seasoned shrimp with veggies, rice, & a creamy, sweet/spicy sauce.
Today I’m sharing what has become one of my family’s favorite dinner recipes: Bang Bang Shrimp Bowls!
Like most Americans, we fell in love with bang bang shrimp. That sauce! A little sweet, a little spicy, and so creamy-delish!.
I wanted to make it a full meal, so I thought it would go well with rice and fresh vegetables.
My kids went crazy for it! I love when they really like something I make!
Over time, the recipe has evolved. Our choice was to grill the shrimp instead of bread and fry them because it was easier and better for us. It tasted just as good!
I’m on a mission to share more of our favorite main courses. I’ve already given you a great poutine recipe, a crispy chicken sandwich that’s better than fast food, and our Detroit-style pizza that will knock your socks off.
And today, I’m adding this refreshing, easy grilled bang bang shrimp recipe!