If you love a little kick paired with tender, flaky fish, then this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe is going to become your new favorite weeknight game-changer. It’s a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines perfectly cooked salmon with a creamy, spicy sauce that wakes up your taste buds and makes every bite truly unforgettable. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or impressing friends, this recipe brings together simplicity and bold taste in a way that is deeply satisfying and utterly delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Bang Bang Salmon Recipe uses a handful of simple, accessible ingredients that each play a vital role. The freshness of the salmon, the warmth of the spices, and the zingy, creamy sauce all come together to create a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Salmon fillets (4, about 6 ounces each): Fresh, firm salmon ensures a moist, flaky result every time.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds just the right amount of richness and helps the seasoning stick.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors beautifully without overpowering.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a subtle, warming bite.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Provides a mild, savory aroma that complements the fish perfectly.
- Mayonnaise (1/3 cup): The creamy base for the signature bang bang sauce, smooth and rich.
- Sweet chili sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds punchy sweetness with just enough heat.
- Sriracha (1 tablespoon): Brings the spicy kick that defines the bang bang flavor.
- Honey (1 tablespoon): Balances heat with natural sweetness for a harmonious sauce.
- Lime juice (from 1/2 lime): Adds a bright, fresh tang to keep things lively.
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): For that finishing touch of color, texture, and subtle flavor pops.
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid easy cleanup. Place your salmon fillets skin-side down on the sheet, then rub each one lightly with olive oil. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This simple seasoning layer helps to elevate the natural flavors of the salmon and sets the base for the sauce to shine.
Step 2: Bake the Salmon
Bake the salmon in your preheated oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. You want the fish to be cooked through but still delightfully moist and flaky—check if it flakes easily when you gently press with a fork. This method locks in juiciness while giving the skin a tender finish if you choose to leave it on.
Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the salmon is baking, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until everything is smooth and beautifully blended. This sauce is where all the magic happens, mixing creamy, spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors into one luscious topping that transforms the salmon into a flavor-packed spectacle.
Step 4: Combine and Garnish
Once the salmon is out of the oven, spoon or drizzle the bang bang sauce generously over each fillet. Don’t be shy—the sauce complements every bite and adds that fun, vibrant personality everyone loves. Finish by sprinkling chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top for a burst of freshness and a bit of crunch that elevates the dish visually and texturally.
How to Serve Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
Garnishes
Chopped green onions and sesame seeds are classic choices that add pops of color and crunch, but feel free to mix in fresh cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, or a squeeze of extra lime juice for an extra zing. These small touches turn the dish from simple to spectacular.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs delightfully with steamed jasmine rice, zesty quinoa salad, or crisp roasted vegetables. The subtle sweetness and spice of the salmon work beautifully alongside mild or lightly seasoned sides, allowing the flavors to shine without competing.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the Bang Bang Salmon Recipe on a vibrant bed of avocado slices or alongside crunchy Asian slaw for texture contrasts. For gatherings, try plating it family-style with bowls of rice and sides, letting guests customize their plates. Presentation options are endless and make any meal feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover baked salmon with the bang bang sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days. For best texture, keep the sauce separate until serving to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked salmon, but for this recipe, it’s best to freeze plain salmon fillets before baking. Freeze in a sealed container or sturdy freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking fresh and making the bang bang sauce.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the salmon in the oven at 275°F (135°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Add fresh bang bang sauce after warming to keep the flavors and textures bright and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I adjust the spice level in this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe?
Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Simply add more or less sriracha to suit your heat preference, or swap it out for a milder chili sauce if you prefer a gentle warmth.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Since the bang bang sauce uses mayonnaise rather than dairy, this dish is naturally dairy-free as long as you choose a mayo without dairy ingredients. Always check the labels to be sure.
Can I cook the salmon on the grill instead of the oven?
Definitely. Grilling the salmon adds a lovely smoky flavor and slightly crispy edges that complement the spicy sauce perfectly. Just reduce the cooking time slightly and keep an eye on the fish to avoid overcooking.
What can I substitute for mayonnaise in the bang bang sauce?
If you’re looking for a lighter or tangier alternative, Greek yogurt works wonderfully. It adds creaminess with a subtle tang, balancing the heat and sweetness beautifully while keeping the sauce luscious.
How do I know when the salmon is perfectly cooked?
Look for the fish to easily flake with a fork and have an opaque and moist interior. Overcooked salmon becomes dry and loses that buttery texture, so baking it based on the recommended time and checking occasionally is key.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe enough. It’s the perfect blend of flavors that wakes up your dinner plate without a ton of fuss or fancy ingredients. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen. Give it a try and watch it become a staple in your recipe rotation—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Bang Bang Salmon is a delicious and easy-to-make baked salmon dish featuring a creamy, spicy, and tangy bang bang sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Perfectly seasoned salmon fillets are oven-baked until tender and flaky, then generously topped with the flavorful sauce and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a vibrant and satisfying main course with Asian-inspired fusion flavors.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the sheet and rub each fillet with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to season evenly.
- Bake Salmon: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the salmon fillets for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork, indicating it is cooked through but still moist.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon is baking, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined with a balanced sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven carefully. Spoon or drizzle the prepared bang bang sauce generously over each salmon fillet. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds to add freshness and texture. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha according to your preference.
- For a lighter version of the bang bang sauce, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- This recipe can also be prepared on the grill or in an air fryer if you prefer alternative cooking methods.
