Boom Boom Sauce Recipe (Dipping Sauce for Onion Rings and More)

This boom boom sauce is creamy, sweet, tangy, and just spicy enough to make anything you dip in it taste better. It’s basically the perfect mash-up of spicy mayo and sweet chili sauce with a little ketchup tang, and it takes about two minutes to whisk together. I’m also including a crispy onion ring recipe below because boom boom sauce and onion rings might be my favorite combo of all time.

Why You’ll Love This Boom Boom Sauce Recipe

The first time I made boom boom sauce at home, was because I wanted that restaurant dipping sauce flavor without buying a bottle. I kept trying store-bought versions and they always tasted overly sweet or kind of artificial. After a few rounds, this version landed exactly where I wanted it. Creamy base, a little sweetness, a little tang, and a controlled kick that you can easily adjust depending on who you’re feeding. This homemade version is even better than Ken's boom boom sauce!

What makes this homemade boom boom sauce so good is how versatile it is. It’s perfect for onion rings, fries, chicken tenders, burgers, wraps, shrimp, roasted veggies, and even as a quick drizzle for rice bowls. Make it once, keep it in the fridge, and you’ll end up reaching for it all week long.

Ingredients Needed

For the Boom Boom Sauce:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste

For the Onion Rings:

• 3 large sweet onions
• 2 cups flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 cups buttermilk
• ¼ cup hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

How To Make Boom Boom Sauce

Step 1: Mix the sauce

Add mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and sriracha to a small bowl.

Step 2: Whisk until smooth

Whisk until completely blended and you have a smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 3: Season to taste

Add kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste. If you want more heat, add more sriracha. If you want it milder, reduce the sriracha. Make sure you taste as you go if you're adding anything.

Step 4: Chill if you have time

You can use the sauce right away, but it tastes even better after 15 to 30 minutes in the fridge, when the flavors have had time to blend. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

How To Make Onion Rings for Dipping

Step 1: Slice and soak

Slice off the ends of the onions, peel, and slice into thirds. Separate into rings. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add onion rings to the bowl and stir to coat. Let them soak for 1 hour.

Step 2: Mix the dredge and set up the coating station

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add panko to a shallow dish.

Step 3: Coat the rings

Shake excess buttermilk off an onion ring. Dredge in flour mixture. Dip back into buttermilk. Coat evenly in panko, pressing lightly so it sticks. Repeat with the remaining rings.

Step 4: Fry

Heat oil in a large pot to 350 to 375°F. Fry a few rings at a time for 5 to 8 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5: Drain

Drain on paper towels or a wire rack and serve warm with boom boom sauce.

Expert Tips To Make The Best Boom Boom Sauce

• Adjust the heat the smart way. Start with 1 tablespoon of sriracha for mild to medium heat. If you want it spicier, add more in small increments and taste each time. If you’re making it for kids or spice-sensitive people, start with 1–2 teaspoons and build from there.
• Let it rest for a better flavor. Boom boom sauce is good right away, but it’s noticeably better after 15–30 minutes in the fridge. That short rest gives the garlic and onion powder time to mellow and blend into the mayo base so the sauce tastes smoother and more “restaurant.”
• Sweet chili sauce is the signature. This is what separates boom boom sauce from plain spicy mayo. Sweet chili sauce adds that sweet-tangy addictive note and gives the sauce a glossy texture that sticks to fries, onion rings, chicken, and shrimp.
• Control thickness depending on how you’ll use it. As written, it’s a perfect thick dipping sauce. If you want it more drizzle-friendly for tacos, rice bowls, or burgers, whisk in 1-2 teaspoons of water or pickle juice until it’s the consistency you like.
• Season at the end, not the beginning. Mayo, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce vary a lot by brand. Mix everything first, then add salt and pepper to taste so you don’t accidentally oversalt it.
• Make it taste less “sweet” if that’s your preference. If your sweet chili sauce is on the sweeter side, add a small squeeze of lemon juice or a tiny splash of vinegar to sharpen the tang. It keeps the boom boom vibe but makes the flavor feel more balanced.
• Store it cold and stir before serving. It keeps well in the fridge, and a quick stir before serving brings it back to a smooth, creamy consistency.

Boom Boom Sauce FAQs

What is boom boom sauce made of?

Boom boom sauce is a creamy mayo-based sauce made with ketchup, sweet chili sauce, seasonings, and a spicy element like sriracha. It’s sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy, which is why it works as both a dipping sauce and a sandwich spread.

How spicy is boom boom sauce?

As written, it’s mild to medium. The heat comes from sriracha, so you control it completely. Start with less for a kid-friendly sauce, then add more in small amounts until it’s exactly where you want it.

How long does homemade boom boom sauce last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 7 days. Give it a quick stir before using, since the ingredients can settle slightly as it sits.

Can I make boom boom sauce ahead of time?

Yes, and it actually tastes better after it rests. You can make it 1–2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated so the flavors blend and the sauce tastes smoother.

What can I use boom boom sauce on?

It’s perfect with onion rings, fries, chicken tenders, and breaded shrimp, and it’s also great on burgers, wraps, tacos, and rice bowls. Basically, anything crispy or grilled gets better with a spoonful of boom boom sauce.

Is boom boom sauce the same as spicy mayo?

Not exactly. Spicy mayo is usually just mayo plus a hot sauce. Boom boom sauce has sweet chili and ketchup too, so it’s sweeter, tangier, and more “restaurant-style” than basic spicy mayo.

My Final Thoughts

Boom boom sauce is my go-to when I need a quick dip that tastes like it came from a restaurant. It takes minutes to mix, you can dial the heat up or down, and it works on everything from onion rings and fries to burgers, wraps, and shrimp. Make a batch, stash it in the fridge, and you’ll be glad it’s there the next time dinner feels a little boring. Try it out and see for yourself, then leave a comment and review so I can hear your thoughts on this recipe.

More  Sauce Recipes To Try 

• Smash burger sauce
• Coney sauce
• Zax sauce
• Raising Cane's sauce
• Peppercorn sauce