Copycat Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Shrimp
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Enjoy Bang Bang Shrimp whenever the craving strikes with this Cheesecake Factory recipe copycat. Homemade Thai shrimp curry is quick and easy to make, bursting with flavor, and a fraction of the price!
Bang Bang Shrimp
I am a huge fan of Cheesecake Factory. From their wonderfully long and diverse menu to their luscious cheesecakes — and especially their Bang Bang Shrimp!
If you’ve never tried this Thai shrimp entrée, it is a symphony of flavors and textures, down to the crowning sweet toasted coconut.
When you make my Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Shrimp at home, you can enjoy all of the same coconut Thai shrimp curry flavors in under 30 minutes — in your slippers!
Craving more Cheesecake Factory recipe copycat dishes? Cajun Jambalaya Pasta is another seafood favorite, while this Chicken Madeira is sure to please any palate.
Don’t forget a warm loaf of brown bread and a slice of Key Lime Cheesecake to finish off your meal!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Shrimp – Choose medium uncooked shrimp that has been peeled and deveined (or do it yourself if it’s really fresh).
You can also use frozen shrimp — you’ll just need to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. - Veggies – You’ll need onion, carrot, zucchini, and peas for an authentic Cheesecake Factory recipe copycat.
However, this is a great clean-out-the-fridge recipe! Try bell pepper, broccoli, green beans, baby corn, and mushrooms. - Peanut Butter – This recipe calls for smooth peanut butter, but if you only have crunchy peanut butter on hand, that will definitely work!
No-stir brands such as Skippy and Jif work best — natural peanut butter won’t melt as well. - Coconut Milk – Full-fat canned is the way to go! The kind in a carton is thinner and much less creamy.
- Sweet Chili Sauce – Find this with the Asian food at the grocery store.
This bright red sauce is a dynamic balance of tangy sweet heat derived from red Thai chilies, plus sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. - Fish Sauce – You’ll also find this in the international aisle. If needed, soy sauce is an easy swap!
Cheesecake Factory Recipe Copycat Tips and Tricks
- Cook with the tails on. These have extra flavor that will seep into the Thai shrimp as they cook. Once they’ve cooled, you can chop off the tails for easier eating.
- Add toppings. Bang Bang Shrimp is even more delicious with chopped peanuts, toasted coconut, and green onions sprinkled over the top!
- Customize the flavor. I find Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Shrimp to be a little on the sweet side.
So, I prefer more Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (plus pepper) in the coconut curry sauce.
Prepare the recipe with the lower amount, then taste first before changing the amounts or adding any additional ingredients.
Add sriracha for an even spicier sauce, or lime juice for some tang. If you prefer it sweeter, stir in some extra brown sugar. - Don’t forget the rice! Start your rice before cooking this dish so it’s all ready at the same time.
For a restaurant-worthy presentation, use a measuring scoop to place cooked rice in the center of a low bowl. Then, carefully spoon the shrimp and sauce around the mound.
Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe FAQ
It probably comes from the double kick of heat by marinating the shellfish in Sweet Chili sauce, then adding more to the curry sauce!
Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Shrimp is made with yellow curry powder, which provides flavor and heat but it’s too spicy.
That said, feel free to use red curry powder if you prefer flames with your meal!!
Preheat your oven to 400°F and spread shredded coconut in an even layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden in color. Watch closely towards the end, because it will go from golden to burnt very quickly!
If you’re worried that you might forget it, you can toast coconut in a nonstick skillet on the stove instead. Stir constantly so it browns evenly.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Wide Stainless Steel Pan – Using a wide stainless steel pan allows you to cook your Thai shrimp in one batch.
It also heats evenly and quickly, which allows your food to cook faster and develop that pretty sear on the outside. - Garlic Press – One of my most used kitchen tools! It minces garlic with one squeeze, with the peel still on!
- Microplane/Zester – This is great for zesting ginger, garlic, citrus, and even cheese. You will use it practically every day!
Storing Leftover Thai Shrimp Curry
Allow copycat Bang Bang Shrimp to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat, carefully pour the shrimp with sauce into a skillet on the stove. Simmer over low heat until warmed through.
If you want to freeze this dish, it’s best to store the seafood and sauce separately.
Thai shrimp curry will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Copycat Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound medium uncooked shrimp, shelled, deveined, tails on
- 2 tablespoon Asian Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Coconut Curry Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, julienned and cut into 1” length pieces (1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 13.5 ounce can quality coconut milk, I like Chaokoh
- 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons Asian/Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, like Mae Ploy (2 for spicier)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce, may sub soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- sriracha to taste, optional
Add later
- 1 small zucchini, julienned and cut into 1” length pieces (1 cup)
- 1/2 cup frozen petite peas
Garnish
- 1/3 cup toasted sweet coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Add shrimp to a medium bowl along with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons Asian Sweet Chili Sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and set aside while you prep your veggies. (Shrimp may sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.)
- Melt one tablespoon butter over medium high heat in large skillet. Discard shrimp marinade and add shrimp to the pan in a single layer (you may need to work in 2 batches). Cook shrimp just until opaque, about 3 minutes, then flip over and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Remove shrimp to a cutting board. Chop off tails when cool enough to handle/while sauce is simmering.
- Using the now empty skillet (don’t wipe out), heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook three minutes. Add carrots, ginger, garlic and curry powder and sauté 1 minute. Turn heat to low and add coconut milk. Mix chicken broth with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and add to skillet along with all remaining Coconut Curry Sauce ingredients.
- Bring sauce to a simmer until thickened and the carrots are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini and frozen peas and cook until peas are heated through, about one minute. If you would like a thinner sauce, thin with additional chicken broth or water. For a spicier sauce, add sriracha, for tangier, add lime juice, for sweeter, add additional brown sugar (keeping in mind the coconut will add sweetness).
- Serve with rice and garnish with toasted coconut, green onions and peanuts.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2018, updated and republished July 2023
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Why does this recipe not have any comments?! I have been wanting to make this for an embarrassingly long time and finally did last night.
I followed every step exactly as written and it turned out incredible!! Added some red pepper flakes for some extra heat. This was so good! I just had some leftovers and they were even better than yesterday.
Thanks for this yummy recipe, I’ll be sure to make it again.
It was delicious! Glad to have leftovers. Made it with spaghetti instead of rice. I could be wrong, but that's how I remember it from The Cheesecake factory. Everyone raved about it. Thanks!
I never comment on recipes but HAD to comment on this. I love Cheesecake Factory’s version of this dish and this recipe is SPOT ON. It was absolutely delicious and has been added to my list of keepers. I did cook up some chicken tenderloins and added them in as well. Thank you!
YUM
This recipe is SO GOOD. It is a great copycat of the cheesecake factory version, but much cheaper to make! Very delicious!
Holy cow, this was absolutely incredible. We used edamame instead of peas and added red pepper flakes. I’m in love. So good. Thank you!
Made this tonight and it was delicious. Will definitely make again.