Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes.

Introduction

Some recipes enter your life quietly and then become the dish you make on repeat without thinking. That’s exactly what happened the first time I made this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe. It was a rainy weeknight, I had a pack of salmon fillets in the fridge, and I was craving something comforting but bold—a dish with personality. I mixed together a quick bang bang sauce (the same one I loved from the classic shrimp version), brushed it over the salmon, and popped everything into the oven.

I wasn’t expecting it to be life-changing, but the moment I took that first bite, I knew it was going straight into my regular rotation.

The salmon was tender and flaky, the sauce was creamy, slightly sweet, mildly spicy, and unbelievably addictive. It’s the kind of dish you can make when you’re exhausted, hungry, or just want something that tastes like you put way more effort into it than you actually did.

Now, Bang Bang Salmon Recipe is one of my favorite quick dinners — delicious enough for guests yet easy enough for meal prep. And today, I’m sharing my complete recipe so you can fall in love with it too.

Do you want more recipes?

Spicy Potato Noodles Recipe

Orange Glazed Salmon Recipe

Bang Bang Salmon Recipe (2026)

Ingredients for Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

This Bang Bang Salmon Recipe serves 2–4 people depending on portion size.

For the Salmon

4 salmon fillets (5–6 oz each, skin on or off)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp lime juice (optional)

For the Bang Bang Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp garlic, minced or grated

Optional Garnishes

chopped green onions
sesame seeds
crushed peanuts
cilantro
red chili flakes
lime wedges

These finishing touches add freshness, crunch, and color.

How to Prepare Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

You can make Bang Bang Salmon Recipe in the oven, air fryer, or stovetop, but the oven method is my personal favorite for even cooking and perfect texture.

Below is the oven method followed by quick notes for alternatives.

Step 1: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together:

mayonnaise
sweet chili sauce
sriracha
honey
lime juice
minced garlic

Taste and adjust:

more sriracha for heat
more honey for sweetness
more lime for brightness

Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
Place the salmon fillets on the tray.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Optional: squeeze a little lime juice over the top.

Salmon cooks fast, so keep fillets similar in size for even results.

Step 3: Brush with Bang Bang Sauce

Brush half of the prepared sauce over the salmon fillets.
Reserve the remaining sauce for finishing.

The sauce will caramelize beautifully as it bakes.

Step 4: Bake the Salmon

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes depending on thickness.

Thin fillets: 10–12 minutes
Thick fillets: 14–16 minutes

The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Step 5: Add More Sauce

Brush the remaining bang bang sauce over the cooked salmon while it’s still warm.

This adds a fresh layer of flavor and keeps the salmon juicy.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Top with:

scallions
sesame seeds
cilantro
lime wedges

Your perfectly juicy, saucy, spicy bang bang salmon is ready to serve!

How to Cook Bang Bang Salmon Recipe (Alternative Methods)

1. Air Fryer Method

Preheat air fryer to 390°F (199°C).
Air fry salmon for 8–10 minutes, brushing with bang bang sauce halfway through.
Brush with more sauce after cooking.

Creates crispy edges with a tender center.

2. Pan-Seared Version

Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat.
Cook salmon 4–5 minutes per side.
Add bang bang sauce in the last minute and let it thicken.
Brush more on top before serving.

This gives the best caramelization.

How to Serve Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

Bang Bang Salmon Recipe pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are delicious serving suggestions:

1. With Rice

jasmine rice
coconut rice
fried rice
cilantro lime rice

The sauce tastes incredible mixed with rice.

2. With Noodles

garlic butter noodles
soba noodles
rice noodles
sesame ramen

Salmon + spicy creamy sauce + noodles = perfection.

3. With Vegetables

roasted broccoli
air-fried green beans
sautéed spinach
grilled zucchini
stir-fried bok choy

Keeps the dish light and balanced.

4. As a Bowl

Make a Bang Bang Salmon Bowl with:

rice or quinoa
veggies
avocado
crispy onions
extra sauce

Perfect for meal prep.

5. In Tacos

Flake the salmon and serve in tortillas with:

slaw
lime crema
cilantro

A fun fusion twist!

6. In Wraps or Salads

Use leftovers to make:

salmon Caesar wrap
spicy salmon salad
poke-style bowl

The flavor holds up beautifully even the next day.

Tips for Perfect Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

These tips help you get restaurant-worthy results every time.

1. Use Fresh Salmon When Possible

Fresh salmon has better texture than frozen-thawed varieties, but both work.

2. Don’t Overcook

Overcooking makes salmon dry.
Aim for a soft, flaky, buttery texture.

Salmon is done at:

145°F (63°C) internal temperature
or when the inside is still slightly glossy.

3. Adjust Spice Level

Not a fan of spice? Use less sriracha.
Love heat? Add chili flakes or chili crisp.

4. Use Greek Yogurt for a Healthier Sauce

Swap half or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

5. Add Sauce at the End Too

Brushing at the end gives beautiful shine and flavor.

6. Pat Dry the Salmon

Dry salmon browns better and absorbs seasoning more evenly.

7. Let the Salmon Rest for 2 Minutes

This makes the fillets juicier and allows sauce to settle.

8. Add Garlic to Taste

If you love garlic, add an extra clove to the sauce.

Delicious Variations of Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

This Bang Bang Salmon Recipe is incredibly versatile. Try any of these fun twists:

1. Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Cut salmon into chunks, air fry, toss with sauce.

Perfect for appetizers or rice bowls.

2. Grilled Bang Bang Salmon

Grill fillets and brush with sauce near the end.
Smoky, sweet, sticky, and delicious.

3. Honey-Garlic Bang Bang Salmon

Add 2 tbsp honey and extra garlic.
A sweeter, stickier variation.

4. Extra Spicy Version

Add:

chili crisp
sambal oelek
cayenne
fresh diced jalapeños

5. Bang Bang Salmon Pasta

Toss flaked salmon with pasta + leftover sauce.
Creamy, spicy, comforting.

6. Bang Bang Salmon Tacos

Top warm tortillas with shredded cabbage and sauce.

7. Bang Bang Salmon Salad

Serve over greens with cucumber, avocado, and crunchy toppings.

8. Bang Bang Salmon Sandwich

Use leftovers in a toasted brioche bun with lettuce and pickles.

9. Bang Bang Salmon Sushi Bowls

Serve salmon over rice with cucumbers, nori, avocado, sesame seeds.

10. Low-Carb Bang Bang Salmon

Serve with cauliflower rice or sautéed veggies.

FAQs

1. Is Bang Bang Salmon spicy?

It’s mildly spicy, but you can adjust the spice level by changing the amount of sriracha or chili oil.

2. Can I make this recipe with frozen salmon?

Yes! Thaw completely and pat dry before seasoning.

3. What type of salmon is best?

Atlantic, sockeye, or king salmon fillets all work well.

4. Can I meal prep Bang Bang Salmon?

Yes — store cooked salmon separately from sides.
Reheat gently to avoid dryness.

5. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayo?

Absolutely — it lightens the sauce without sacrificing flavor.

6. How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

7. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes — use dairy-free mayo.

8. Do I need dark soy sauce?

No, it’s optional; it only adds color and deeper flavor.

9. Can I grill or air fry instead of baking?

Yes — see alternative methods above.

10. What can I substitute for sweet chili sauce?

Try:

honey + chili flakes
hot sauce + sugar
sriracha + honey

But sweet chili works best.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Salmon Recipe is one of those rare dishes that hits every craving at once: creamy, spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory. It’s quick enough for a rushed weeknight but delicious enough for a dinner party. It pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, veggies, or fresh salads — and it always delivers big flavor with very little effort.

Whether you’re new to cooking salmon or already love experimenting with Asian-inspired sauces, this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe is one you’ll want to bookmark. It’s foolproof, flexible, and incredibly rewarding.

Try it once, and I promise it’ll become part of your regular dinner rotation too.

Enjoy every saucy, spicy, perfectly tender bite!

pinterest