The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon

Imagine succulent, flaky salmon fillets glazed with a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce that delivers the perfect balance of heat and tang with every bite. That’s what you’ll get with The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon—a restaurant-quality dish that brings spectacular flavor to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes. Inspired by the popular bang bang shrimp appetizer, this salmon version elevates the concept to main-dish status with its irresistible sauce and perfectly cooked fish. You’ll learn how to create perfectly cooked salmon topped with the signature bang bang sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon combines simplicity with impressive results, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The contrast between the tender, melt-in-your-mouth salmon and the creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce creates a sensory experience that’s utterly satisfying. What makes this dish truly special is how quickly it comes together—you’ll have a gourmet-looking meal on the table in under 30 minutes.

The vibrant color contrast between the pink salmon and the creamy orange-pink sauce makes for a stunning presentation that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. The sauce itself delivers multiple layers of flavor—sweetness from honey, creaminess from mayonnaise, and just enough heat from sriracha to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.

Even better, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the heat level to suit your preferences, serve it with various sides for a complete meal, and even prepare components ahead of time for effortless entertaining. It’s the perfect balance of impressive and achievable.

Ingredients

For The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie mayo for extra richness)
• 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

For garnish:

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white, black, or a mix)
• Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

The sweet chili sauce provides the signature sweetness with a hint of heat, while the sriracha allows you to control exactly how spicy your bang bang salmon becomes. Using fresh salmon makes a significant difference in the final dish, so opt for wild-caught when possible for the best flavor.

Pro Tips

Use the Right Pan: For the perfect Bang Bang Salmon, use a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron. This allows for even heat distribution and helps develop a beautiful sear on the salmon without sticking. Preheat your pan thoroughly before adding the salmon to ensure you get that restaurant-quality crust.

Master the Flip: One of the trickiest parts of cooking salmon is flipping it without breaking the fillet. The secret is patience—let the salmon cook undisturbed until it releases naturally from the pan (about 3-4 minutes). Use a thin, wide spatula and slide it gently beneath the fillet. If it’s sticking, give it another 30 seconds; it will release when ready.

Temperature Control: The difference between perfectly cooked and overdone salmon is often just a minute or two. For The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C) for medium salmon with a slightly translucent center, which will continue cooking to perfection during the brief rest. For those who prefer well-done salmon, cook to 130°F (54°C). A kitchen thermometer is your best friend for consistently perfect results.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels—this is crucial for achieving a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Allow the salmon to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce. This brief rest helps the salmon cook more evenly.

Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and well blended. The sauce should have a creamy consistency with a beautiful orange-pink hue. Set aside about half of the sauce for serving, and reserve the rest for glazing the salmon.

Step 3: Sear the Salmon

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) or presentation-side down (if skinless) in the hot pan. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a golden crust forms. Reduce heat to medium, carefully flip the fillets, and cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium doneness.

Step 4: Glaze the Salmon

During the last minute of cooking, brush the tops of the salmon fillets with a portion of the reserved bang bang sauce, allowing it to melt slightly into the fish. This creates a glaze that infuses the Bang Bang Salmon with flavor while keeping it moist. If you prefer, you can also place the salmon under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the sauce slightly.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Transfer the Bang Bang Salmon to serving plates and let rest for 2 minutes. Drizzle with additional bang bang sauce, then sprinkle with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro if using. Serve immediately with your favorite sides for a complete meal that balances the rich salmon and creamy sauce.

Variations

Spicy Bang Bang Salmon: For heat lovers, transform The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon into a fiery delight by doubling the sriracha in the sauce and adding 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. You can also mix in 1 tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a deeper, more complex heat that complements the richness of the salmon.

Baked Bang Bang Salmon: If you prefer a hands-off approach, this variation is perfect. Place the seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with a little oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes until almost done. Brush with bang bang sauce and broil for the final 2 minutes until caramelized and cooked to your liking.

Citrus Bang Bang Salmon Bowl: Create a healthy, satisfying meal by serving your Bang Bang Salmon over steamed rice or quinoa with avocado slices, cucumber, edamame, and a scattering of furikake seasoning. Add a squeeze of lime and extra bang bang sauce to tie all the flavors together for a restaurant-worthy bowl.

Storage and Serving

The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 275°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until just heated through. Avoid microwaving as this can dry out the salmon. The bang bang sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator.

For an impressive dinner, serve Bang Bang Salmon with coconut rice or jasmine rice that soaks up the delicious sauce. Add steamed or roasted broccoli, asparagus, or bok choy for color and nutrition. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or a bed of mixed greens.

This dish also works beautifully as part of an Asian-inspired feast. Pair it with vegetable potstickers, cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing, or miso soup for a complete meal that will impress guests but won’t keep you in the kitchen all day.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight and pat it very dry before cooking. Frozen salmon tends to release more moisture, which can affect the searing process for The Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon.

How do I know when my salmon is cooked perfectly?
The salmon should be just opaque and flake easily with a fork. For medium doneness, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C). The center should be slightly translucent but not raw.

Can I make this recipe ahead for a dinner party?
You can prepare the bang bang sauce up to 5 days ahead and season the salmon up to 24 hours in advance. Cook the salmon just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
The recipe is naturally dairy-free as written! The creaminess comes from mayonnaise, which is egg-based rather than dairy-based.

What can I substitute for sweet chili sauce?
If you can’t find sweet chili sauce, mix 3 tablespoons of apricot or peach jam with 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a similar sweet-spicy flavor profile.

Conclusion

This Ultimate Bang Bang Salmon is comfort food at its finest — elevated yet approachable, with a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors that dance across your palate. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion without hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking to impress guests or simply treating yourself to something delicious, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Make it once, and it’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

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