Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls Recipe

If you love bold flavors and vibrant, fresh meals, these Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls will absolutely win your heart. Fluffy rice forms the base, topped with juicy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce, all crowned with crunchy cucumbers, buttery avocado, and a sprinkle of green onion and sesame. It’s a quick weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor—you’ll crave it again before you’ve taken your last bite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Flavor Explosion: The bang bang sauce delivers a magical combo of creamy, spicy, tangy, and sweet that keeps you coming back for more.
  • Quick & Easy: From start to finish, Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls are on your table in about 30 minutes—hello, weeknight dinner hero.
  • Customizable Goodness: Swap out veggies, use brown or white rice—these bowls bend deliciously to your cravings and needs.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: With those vibrant colors and playful toppings, these bowls are as Instagram-worthy as they are satisfying.
Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every layer of these bowls packs a purpose: the rice soaks up all that luscious sauce, the shrimp brings juiciness and protein, while the toppings add creamy, crisp, and fresh contrasts. There’s nothing fussy here—just the basic building blocks for something crave-worthy.

  • Rice: The foundation! Use sushi, jasmine, basmati, or even brown rice for a hearty base—you want something that’s fluffy but sturdy.
  • Rice wine vinegar, salt, sugar: This trio turns simple rice into flavor-bombed sushi-style perfection—don’t skip it!
  • Avocado: Adds creaminess and richness that soothes the sauce’s slight spice—plus, who can resist those buttery bites?
  • English cucumber: Fresh crunch and subtle sweetness for irresistible texture contrast in each spoonful.
  • Green onions & sesame seeds: These garnishes bring a blast of color, flavor, and nutty aroma—true finishing touches.
  • Sweet chili sauce: This is the base of the signature bang bang sauce, giving it a sweet, garlicky punch with a touch of heat.
  • Mayonnaise: The creamy heart of the sauce, balancing out the tang and heat.
  • Fresh lime juice: A zesty pop that brightens the whole sauce and ties everything together.
  • Shrimp: Small, peeled and deveined shrimp cook fast and turn out juicy—perfect for soaking up sauce.
  • All-purpose flour & cornstarch: These give the shrimp a lovely light crispness when sautéed—don’t worry, no deep frying needed!
  • Olive oil: For pan cooking the shrimp to golden perfection.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls is how forgiving and flexible they are. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have, suit dietary needs, or just have fun with new flavors and textures!

  • Protein Swap: Try crispy tofu, grilled chicken, or sautéed salmon instead of shrimp for a twist.
  • Spicy Upgrade: Add a swirl of sriracha to the bang bang sauce for an extra chili kick (or keep it mild for more sensitive palates).
  • Veggie Boost: Toss in steamed edamame, shredded carrots, or thinly sliced radishes for extra crunch, color, and nutrition.
  • Lighter Sauce: Replace half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a tangy, lighter bang bang experience.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute cauliflower rice for a grain-free, veggie-packed version.

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Start by rinsing your rice thoroughly under cool water—the rinse removes excess starch and ensures perfectly tender grains, never sticky or mushy. Cook the rice according to the package directions, then gently toss it with rice wine vinegar, salt, and sugar. This extra step transforms the rice into a subtly seasoned, savory-sweet base that’s absolutely irresistible with the spicy shrimp.

Step 2: Mix the Bang Bang Sauce

While the rice is still warm, whisk together sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise, and a splash of fresh lime juice in a large bowl. The sauce comes together in seconds, and you can taste and adjust the spice or tang to your liking. It should be creamy, with a gentle heat and just enough zing!

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Pat your peeled and deveined shrimp dry, then toss them in a mixture of flour and cornstarch. This light coating gives them a fabulously crisp exterior when pan-cooked. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high, and cook the shrimp in a single uncrowded layer—just a couple minutes per side until they’re pink and opaque. Immediately toss the hot shrimp in the bang bang sauce so the coating soaks up the flavors!

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

Divide the seasoned rice between four bowls. Top with a generous layer of saucy shrimp, followed by diced avocado and sliced cucumber for creaminess and crunch. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, and you’ll have a Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowl that not only tastes incredible but looks gorgeous and inviting!

Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls

  • Sauce Tossing Technique: Toss the shrimp in the bang bang sauce while they’re still hot from the pan—the heat helps the sauce cling beautifully to every bite!
  • Batch Cooking Shrimp: Cook shrimp in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, which ensures each piece cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.
  • Rice Texture Control: Let cooked rice rest uncovered for a few minutes to let off steam and achieve that perfectly fluffy (never mushy) texture.
  • Freshness Factor: Add avocado and cucumber just before serving to keep them at their crispest, creamiest best!

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls

Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A generous scattering of green onions and sesame seeds really takes these Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls to the next level—adding both vibrant color and a pop of earthy crunch. For even more visual flair, try a few chili flakes or a drizzle of extra bang bang sauce right before serving. If you really want to impress, a wedge of lime on the side looks beautiful and lets guests amp up the zesty freshness to taste.

Side Dishes

These bowls are filling all on their own, but if you’re making a more elaborate spread or feeding a crowd, serve alongside some quick-pickled carrots, a simple Asian-inspired slaw, or even miso soup. Edamame or steamed broccoli also make easy, nourishing sidekicks that complement the bowl’s bright flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow at a party? Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls “bar-style” so everyone can build their own, or assemble them in smaller bowls or glasses for a playful appetizer. For lunchboxes or meal prep, keep the rice and toppings separated until ready to eat—your colors and textures will stay super fresh and inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls, store the rice, shrimp, and veggies separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps everything tasting fresh and prevents the shrimp from getting soggy or the avocado from browning too quickly.

Freezing

While the shrimp and rice freeze fairly well, fresh veggies like avocado and cucumber don’t hold up after thawing. If you’d like to freeze the cooked shrimp or rice, do so in airtight containers, then thaw and add the fresh toppings when you’re ready to serve.

Reheating

Reheat rice and shrimp gently in the microwave or a skillet until just warmed through. Add a splash of water to the rice if it feels dry, and toss the shrimp in a little extra bang bang sauce if you have some leftover. Always add fresh avocado and veggies just before eating for best results!

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen shrimp for Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls?

    Absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely, pat them dry, and proceed with the recipe. Frozen shrimp are a convenient and delicious shortcut for these bowls.

  2. Is there a lower-calorie alternative to mayonnaise in bang bang sauce?

    Yes! For a lighter sauce, substitute half (or all) of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. It brings a lovely tang and creaminess with fewer calories.

  3. How spicy are Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls?

    The default level is just a gentle heat from the sweet chili sauce, but you can easily make it spicier by adding sriracha, more chili sauce, or a pinch of chili flakes.

  4. Can I meal prep these bowls in advance?

    Definitely! Prepare the rice, sauce, and cooked shrimp ahead of time; just store the fresh veggies separately and assemble before eating to keep everything crisp and delicious.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about these Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls—cheerful colors, bold flavors, and an effortless assembly make them a joy to serve and eat. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving a little celebration in a bowl, I hope you give this recipe a try and love every last bite!

Print
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Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 586 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Stovetop
  • Method: Stovetop

Description

These Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls are a delightful combination of crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce served over a bed of seasoned rice, topped with fresh avocado and cucumber. A flavorsome and satisfying meal in a bowl!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Bowls

  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced
  • Green onions and/or sesame seeds for garnish

For the Bang Bang Sauce

  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

For the Shrimp

  • 1 pound small shrimp, skinned and deveined
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice – Rinse the rice and cook according to package directions. Season with rice wine vinegar, salt, and sugar.
  2. Make the Bang Bang Sauce – Mix sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise, and lime juice in a bowl.
  3. Cook the Shrimp – Coat shrimp with flour and cornstarch. Sauté in olive oil until cooked; toss in Bang Bang Sauce.
  4. Assemble the bowls – Divide rice among bowls, top with shrimp, avocado, and cucumber. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

  • Use sushi rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, or brown rice.
  • Include favorite vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or edamame.
  • Add sriracha sauce for extra heat.
  • Substitute half Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise for a lighter sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 920mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg

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