Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe is a quick way to bring sweet, spicy flavor to many foods. This creamy sauce mixes simple pantry items into one smooth dip that works with fries, chicken, shrimp, and more.
A while back, I wanted Boom Boom Sauce for crispy fries at home. The bottle at the store cost more than I expected, and many stores did not carry it. That small problem pushed me to mix my own version in my kitchen.
The result surprised me. My homemade sauce tasted very close to the original. It took only a few minutes and used simple ingredients already in my fridge and pantry. I could also change the spice or sweetness to match what I liked.
This Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe solves the problem of hard-to-find store bottles. The sauce comes out smooth, creamy, and perfect for dipping. I share the easy step-by-step method so you can prepare it anytime at home.

What Is Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce is a creamy, sweet, and slightly spicy dipping sauce. The bold flavor gives foods a sweet heat and a smooth texture.
Ken’s Steak House later produced a bottled Boom Boom Sauce that became widely available in grocery stores. The name “Boom Boom” reflects the sauce’s bold flavor and mild kick that enhances many dishes.
Many casual dining restaurants use Boom Boom sauce for shrimp, chicken, fries, and salads. The sauce became popular because it pairs with many foods and offers a mild heat that most people enjoy.
What Does Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Taste Like
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce has a creamy base with sweet chili flavor, mild heat, and light garlic notes. The flavor stays balanced and smooth.
1. Sweet Chili Flavor: Sweet chili sauce adds gentle sweetness with a light tang. This flavor keeps the sauce bright and slightly sweet while blending well with fried snacks or grilled foods.
2. Creamy Texture: Mayonnaise creates a rich, smooth texture. The sauce spreads easily and coats fries, shrimp, or chicken evenly, helping every bite taste balanced and full.
3. Mild Heat: Sriracha or hot sauce brings a soft heat. The spice stays gentle and warm, not strong, so many people can enjoy the sauce without a strong burning feeling.
How Spicy Is Boom Boom Sauce
Boom Boom Sauce has a mild to medium spice level. On the Scoville heat scale, it ranks around 1,000–2,500 SHU, which is similar to mild chili sauces.
The sriracha adds warmth, while sweet chili sauce softens the heat. This makes it suitable for most people who like a little kick but not overwhelming spiciness.
You can easily adjust the spice by adding more or less hot sauce.
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain Mayonnaise: Regular mayonnaise creates the creamy base for this sauce. Low-fat mayo works if you prefer fewer calories. Vegan mayo works perfectly for plant-based diets and tastes almost identical to dairy versions in this recipe.
- 2 tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce: Sweet chili sauce adds the sweet and slightly spicy component. Thai sweet chili sauce is the most common variety. Honey mixed with sriracha can substitute if sweet chili isn’t available at your store.
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha Sauce or Any Hot Sauce: Sriracha brings heat and Asian flavor notes. Frank’s RedHot, Tabasco, or any preferred hot sauce works as a substitute. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard adds tangy depth and slight sharpness. Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard can replace it for different flavor profiles.
- 1/4 cup Ketchup: Ketchup provides tomato sweetness and body to the sauce. No good substitute exists, so use it as listed.
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder blends smoothly into the sauce. Fresh minced garlic can be used, but it may create small pieces in the texture and stronger flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder: Onion powder adds depth without chunks of fresh onion. Fresh minced onion would make the texture grainy and watery.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt: Salt brings out all the other flavors and ties everything together. Add more or less based on your taste preference and dietary needs.
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper: Black pepper adds mild spice and warmth. White pepper can substitute if you prefer a more subtle pepper flavor.
How to Make Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce
Step 1 | Prepare Your Mixing Bowl
Take out a medium-sized mixing bowl. Make sure the bowl is clean and completely dry. Place it on your work surface so it is ready for mixing.
Step 2 | Add the Wet Ingredients First
Scoop 1 cup of plain mayonnaise into the bowl. Add 1/4 cup of ketchup. Pour in 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard.

Step 3 | Add the Dry Spices
Measure the powdered seasonings. Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder. Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Step 4 | Stir Everything Together
Take a spoon or a small wire whisk. Start stirring slowly in a circle. Keep mixing until the color looks even. Make sure there are no streaks left. The sauce should look smooth and creamy.

Step 5 | Rest in the Fridge before serving
Pour the finished sauce into a container with a tight lid. Place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least one hour before serving. This resting time helps the flavors blend together and taste better.

Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Mixing room temperature mayo and sauces helps everything blend more smoothly than ingredients straight from the fridge.
- Use Fresh Ingredients – Check the expiration dates on your sauces before mixing so the final sauce tastes fresh and balanced.
- Sauce Thickness – This recipe makes a medium-thick sauce. For a thinner dip, stir in 1 teaspoon of water or milk at the end.
- Make It Ahead – This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to one week. Making it the night before is a great way to save time when prepping meals.
- Whisk, Don’t Blend – Hand mixing with a spoon or whisk keeps the sauce thick and creamy. A blender can make the sauce too thin.
Variations of Boom Boom Sauce
1. Extra Spicy Version: Double the sriracha or add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. You can also mix in a dash of ghost pepper hot sauce for serious heat lovers who want an intense kick.
2. Low-Calorie Boom Boom Sauce: Swap regular mayo for light mayo or plain Greek yogurt. Use sugar-free sweet chili sauce. This lowers calories while keeping the same creamy texture and bold flavor.
3. Gluten-Free Notes: Most ingredients in this sauce are naturally gluten-free. Check the labels on sweet chili sauce and sriracha to ensure they contain no gluten additives.
4. Vegan Boom Boom Sauce: Replace regular mayonnaise with vegan mayo such as Vegenaise or Just Mayo. The remaining ingredients are already plant-based and vegan friendly.
5. Keto Boom Boom Sauce: Use full-fat mayo and replace ketchup with tomato paste mixed with a splash of apple cider vinegar. Swap sweet chili sauce with a sugar-free sriracha alternative.
5 Ways to Use Boom Boom Sauce
Boom Boom sauce pairs well with many foods. It works as a dip, spread, or drizzle. You can add it to snacks, sandwiches, or grilled foods for creamy sweet-spicy flavor.
1. Shrimp Dipping Sauce: Serve chilled sauce alongside hot steamed or fried shrimp. The cool sauce contrasts perfectly with warm shrimp.
2. Chicken Tenders: Dip crispy fried or baked chicken tenders into the sauce. The creamy, slightly spicy flavor makes every bite better.
3. Sandwich Spread: Spread Boom Boom Sauce on sandwiches, burgers, or wraps. It adds creamy texture and a sweet-spicy kick.
4. Seafood Condiment: Pair the sauce with baked fish, fried calamari, or seared scallops. It complements the natural seafood flavor nicely.
5. Appetizer Base: Mix the sauce into deviled eggs or stuffed mushrooms. It creates a rich, flavorful base for best appetizers.
Boom Boom Sauce Storage Tips
Store the sauce in an airtight container or jar with a tight lid. Keep it in the coldest section of the refrigerator. Properly stored Boom Boom sauce usually stays fresh for about 5 to 7 days.
Stir the sauce before each use to restore smooth texture.
Discard the sauce when a sour smell appears or the texture becomes watery and separated. Dark color changes or bubbles may also indicate spoilage. Always use clean spoons to prevent contamination.
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe FAQs
1. What is the difference between Boom Boom sauce and fry sauce?
Boom Boom sauce and fry sauce both use mayonnaise and ketchup, but their flavor profiles differ. Fry sauce is usually mild and tangy with only those two ingredients.
Boom Boom sauce adds sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, garlic, and onion powder. These extra ingredients create a sweeter and slightly spicy flavor with more depth than basic fry sauce.
2. Can Boom Boom sauce be used for cooking?
Boom Boom sauce works best as a finishing sauce or dip rather than a cooking sauce. High heat can cause mayonnaise to separate.
Many people drizzle the sauce over cooked foods such as grilled shrimp, tacos, or roasted vegetables. Adding it after cooking helps keep the texture smooth and creamy.
3. Can it be used as a marinade?
Yes, lightly coat meat or shrimp and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes before cooking. Adds flavor without overpowering the food.
4. Can Boom Boom Sauce be thickened?
Yes, the sauce can become thicker by adding a little extra mayonnaise. Stir well until smooth. Chilling the sauce in the refrigerator also helps it firm up slightly and improves texture.
5. Is Boom Boom Sauce the same as bang bang sauce?
Similar but bang bang often has more sweetness for shrimp. Boom Boom focuses on chili heat. Both creamy and Asian-inspired. Differences lie in spice ratios.
Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe
Make Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe at home in 10 mins prep. Sweet, creamy, and mildly spicy, perfect for fries, chicken, shrimp, or sandwiches.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup plain mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce (or any preferred hot sauce)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Take out a medium-sized mixing bowl. Make sure the bowl is clean and completely dry. Place it on your work surface so it is ready for mixing.
- Scoop 1 cup of plain mayonnaise into the bowl. Add 1/4 cup of ketchup. Pour in 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard.
- Measure the powdered seasonings. Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder. Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Take a spoon or a small wire whisk. Start stirring slowly in a circle. Keep mixing until the color looks even. Make sure there are no streaks left. The sauce should look smooth and creamy.
- Pour the finished sauce into a container with a tight lid. Place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least one hour before serving. This resting time helps the flavors blend together and taste better.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 90Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 0.3g
This Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce Recipe brings creamy, sweet, and mild heat together in a simple sauce.
Focus on balanced ingredients and proper mixing for the best texture. Adjust spice or sweetness to match personal preference while keeping the classic flavor style.
