Introduction
Get ready for a flavor explosion that defies the clock. Bang Bang Salmon is a spectacular dish that delivers the irresistible, crave-worthy taste of your favorite restaurant appetizer in a quick and healthy main course. This recipe features succulent salmon fillets with a crispy exterior, generously coated in a creamy, sweet, and subtly spicy Bang Bang sauce. The signature sauce is a perfect harmony of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a kick of sriracha, creating a complex flavor profile that is utterly addictive. It is an incredibly vibrant and exciting dish that feels indulgent yet is deceptively simple to prepare. Perfect for a hectic weeknight when you need a dinner that feels special, or for a last-minute meal that will impress everyone at the table. This salmon promises maximum impact with minimal effort.
Perfect for:
An Unbelievably Fast Weeknight Dinner
Meal Prepping for Flavorful Lunches
A Protein-Packed Low-Carb or Keto Meal
Impressively Easy Entertaining
When You’re Craving Takeout Flavors at Home
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
Lightning Fast: True to its name, this entire meal comes together in just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it faster than driving to a restaurant.
Irresistibly Flavorful: The Bang Bang sauce is legendary for a reason—it’s the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and spicy, creating a sauce you’ll want to put on everything.
Simple Cooking Method: Whether you pan-sear, bake, or air fry, the method is straightforward and foolproof, resulting in perfectly cooked salmon every single time.
Incredibly Versatile: The sauce and cooking technique are adaptable. Use it on other proteins like shrimp or chicken, and adjust the spice level to perfectly suit your palate.
Preparation and Cooking Time
Total Time: 15 minutes
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories per serving: Approximately 350-400 calories
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate):
Calories: 350-400 kcal
Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 7g
Nutritional Disclaimer
aileen recipes is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Ingredients
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4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skinless or skin-on
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1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 teaspoon paprika
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
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2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
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1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. This is essential for achieving a crispy sear. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
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Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
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Cook the Salmon: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, place the salmon fillets in the skillet (presentation-side down if there was skin). Cook for 4-6 minutes, without moving, until a golden crust forms.
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Flip and Cook Through: Carefully flip the salmon fillets. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness and flakes easily with a fork.
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Apply the Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Spoon the Bang Bang sauce over the top of each salmon fillet, spreading it evenly.
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Garnish and Serve: Transfer the sauced salmon to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions and serve immediately.
How to Serve Bang Bang Salmon
As a Complete Bowl Meal: Serve the salmon over a bed of steamed white rice or cauliflower rice with a side of quick-pickled cucumbers or a simple slaw for a balanced and satisfying meal.
With Roasted Vegetables: Pair it with roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. The crisp-tender vegetables are a perfect textural contrast to the creamy, rich salmon.
In a Salad: Flake the cooled salmon over a large bed of mixed greens, shredded cabbage, and edamame. Drizzle with extra Bang Bang sauce thinned with a little lime juice for a vibrant salad dressing.
As an Appetizer: For a party, cut the salmon into smaller, bite-sized pieces before cooking. Skewer them after they are coated in sauce for an elegant and easy-to-eat finger food.
Additional Tips for Bang Bang Salmon
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the salmon in batches if your skillet is not large enough. Overcrowding will steam the fish instead of giving it a beautiful sear.
Adjust the Heat Level: The spice level is fully customizable. Start with one tablespoon of sriracha and add more after tasting the sauce. For a milder version, use hot sauce instead of sriracha.
For a Crispier Coating: For an extra crispy exterior, lightly dust the seasoned salmon fillets with cornstarch or all-purpose flour before searing them in the hot skillet.
Use an Air Fryer: For a hands-off method, brush the salmon with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Then, brush generously with the Bang Bang sauce and air fry for another 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Variations of Bang Bang Salmon
Baked Bang Bang Salmon: Arrange the seasoned salmon fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven, spoon the sauce over the top, and broil for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Bang Bang Shrimp: Substitute the salmon with 1.5 pounds of large, raw shrimp (peeled and deveined). Toss the shrimp in the sauce after cooking, or bake/air fry them coated in the sauce.
Healthier Sauce Option: For a lighter sauce, replace the mayonnaise with an equal amount of Greek yogurt or a combination of Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise.
Freezing and Storage for Bang Bang Salmon
Storage: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce may separate slightly upon reheating. Reheat very gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave at a reduced power setting.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended. The texture of the cooked salmon and the creamy sauce will degrade significantly upon thawing, becoming watery and grainy.
FAQ Section about Bang Bang Salmon
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely. The Bang Bang sauce can be prepared and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This makes assembling the dish even faster.
What is a good substitute for sweet chili sauce?
You can make a quick substitute by combining 3 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sriracha, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Heat gently until the honey is dissolved.
How do I know when the salmon is done?
Salmon is perfectly cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part. The flesh will be opaque throughout.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, provided you use gluten-free certified soy sauce (if using a substitute for sweet chili sauce) and ensure all other sauces are gluten-free. Many major brands of sweet chili sauce and sriracha are naturally gluten-free.
Conclusion of Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
This 15-minute Bang Bang Salmon is a game-changer for anyone who loves big, bold flavors but has little time to spare. It successfully bridges the gap between quick weeknight sustenance and a truly exciting culinary experience. The combination of perfectly cooked, tender salmon and the iconic, addictive sauce is guaranteed to become a recurring favorite. This recipe is a testament to the fact that you don’t need complex techniques or a long list of ingredients to create a meal that feels celebratory and deeply satisfying. Add this dish to your repertoire, and you will always have a stunning, restaurant-quality meal just a quarter of an hour away.