Bang Bang Sauce with Greek Yogurt — No Mayo

This bang bang sauce with Greek yogurt combines a creamy, tangy base with sweet chili sauce and a little Sriracha. It makes a sweet-and-spicy dip for crunchy vegetables, roasted cauliflower or broccoli.

Greek yogurt replaces the mayonnaise entirely. The result tastes tangier than a mayonnaise-based version, with a thickness that depends on the yogurt you choose. Start with plain, thick Greek yogurt, then adjust the heat before adding any extra liquid.

For a different yogurt dip with a savory herb flavor, try our Greek Yogurt Vegetable Dip.

What Is Bang Bang Sauce?

Bang bang sauce commonly combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and a hot sauce such as Sriracha. This version uses Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise while keeping the sweet chili and gentle heat.

Sweet chili sauce and Sriracha play different roles. Sweet chili sauce supplies sweetness, chili flavor and some thickness. Sriracha adds a sharper, garlicky heat. Using only Sriracha will not give the same balance.

Bang Bang Sauce with Greek Yogurt: Ingredients

Equipment

• Small mixing bowl
• Spoon or small whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Covered container for chilling

Choosing the Yogurt

Use plain Greek yogurt rather than vanilla, sweetened or fruit-flavored yogurt. Regular unstrained yogurt can make a thinner sauce.

If there is liquid on top, pour it off before measuring. Very thick nonfat Greek yogurt can also work, although the flavor may be sharper and the texture less rich.

How to Make Bang Bang Sauce with Greek Yogurt

1. Mix the Base

Add the Greek yogurt and sweet chili sauce to a small bowl. Stir until the color is even and no white streaks remain.

2. Add the Heat Gradually

Stir in 1 teaspoon of Sriracha.

Taste with a piece of the vegetable you plan to serve. If you want more heat, add extra Sriracha ¼ teaspoon at a time, mixing and tasting between additions.

3. Adjust the Tang

Taste before adding lime juice. Greek yogurt is already tangy, and both bottled sauces may contain vinegar.

If the mixture needs a brighter finish, stir in the optional ½ teaspoon of lime juice. Leave it out if the sauce already tastes sharp enough.

4. Chill or Serve

You can serve the sauce immediately. For a colder dip, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes, then stir gently before serving.

Keep the sauce separate from hot vegetables until you are ready to eat.

How to Adjust the Flavor and Texture

Different brands of yogurt, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha can produce noticeably different results. Make small adjustments rather than adding several ingredients at once.

If the sauce is…	Try this
Too spicy	Add 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, stir and taste again.
Too sweet	Add 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt before considering extra lime.
Too tangy	Omit the lime and try ½ teaspoon more sweet chili sauce.
Too thick for drizzling	Add cold water, ½ teaspoon at a time.
Too thin for dipping	Fold in more thick Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon at a time.

For a vegetable platter, keep the sauce thick enough to cling to a carrot or pepper strip. For drizzling over cooked vegetables, loosen only the portion you intend to use.

Avoid adding a large splash of water or lime juice. A small batch can become thin quickly.

Best Vegetables to Serve with Bang Bang Sauce

This sauce works with both raw and cooked vegetables. Its sweetness and heat provide a contrast to mild vegetables and browned, roasted edges.

Raw Vegetables

• Carrots: their firm texture makes them easy to dip.
• Bell pepper strips: choose wide pieces that hold a little sauce.
• Cucumber spears: pat the cut surfaces dry before serving.
• Sugar snap peas: crisp pods make a convenient pairing.
• Broccoli florets: cut into small, manageable pieces.

For more platter combinations, see our best vegetables for dipping guide.

Cooked Vegetables

Serve the sauce alongside roasted cauliflower, broccoli, potato wedges or zucchini fries.

For crisp vegetables, dip each piece just before eating. Tossing a whole batch in yogurt sauce can soften the outside, particularly while the vegetables are still steaming.

If you want to drizzle it, let the vegetables stop steaming heavily first and add the sauce near serving time. Do not simmer or boil this yogurt-based mixture.

Our best sauces for vegetables guide offers more options for raw, roasted and grilled vegetables.

Bang Bang Sauce Without Mayo: What Changes?

Replacing mayonnaise with Greek yogurt changes the flavor as well as the texture.

Greek yogurt gives the sauce a more noticeable tang. Mayonnaise generally produces a richer texture, while yogurt thickness varies between brands and fat levels.

This recipe is designed around that difference. It starts with a small amount of Sriracha and makes the lime optional, so you can adjust the sauce without overwhelming the yogurt base.

For an egg allergy, check every packaged ingredient rather than relying on “no mayo” alone. This recipe contains dairy.

Can You Make It Without Sriracha?

Yes. Omit the Sriracha for a milder version, then taste the yogurt and sweet chili mixture.

Sweet chili sauce can still contain heat, so the finished dip is not necessarily chili-free. Choose a mild product and check its label if heat is a concern.

A different hot sauce can be used in small amounts, but it may change the vinegar, garlic and salt balance. Start with a few drops rather than substituting spoon for spoon.

Can You Make It Without Sweet Chili Sauce?

Sweet chili sauce is a main ingredient in this version. Leaving it out produces a different yogurt-and-hot-sauce dip.

Adding extra Sriracha will increase the heat without replacing the sweetness or texture. For the intended flavor, use sweet chili sauce rather than substituting it with hot sauce alone.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can mix the sauce one day ahead and refrigerate it in a clean, tightly covered container.

For the best quality, plan to use the refrigerated sauce within 3 days, using fresh yogurt and following any earlier instructions on the ingredient labels. A little separation may occur; stir gently before serving.

Keep it at 40°F (4°C) or below. Serve a small portion and keep the rest chilled. Follow FoodSafety.gov’s food-safety guidance: refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or within one hour when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C).

Use a clean spoon to portion the sauce. Avoid returning dip from a shared serving bowl to the stored batch.

Freezing is not recommended for texture because yogurt-based sauces can separate and become grainy after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Bang Bang Sauce with Greek Yogurt Taste Like?

It is creamy and tangy, with sweetness from the sweet chili sauce and a garlicky chili kick from Sriracha. The yogurt flavor remains noticeable, especially with sharper-tasting brands.

Is Bang Bang Sauce Hot?

It can be mild or quite spicy, depending on the sauces and quantities used. Start with the amount in the recipe and increase the Sriracha gradually.

For less heat, omit the Sriracha and use a mild sweet chili sauce.

Is Bang Bang Sauce the Same as Yum Yum Sauce?

They are different sauces, although recipes vary. Bang bang sauce commonly gets its sweetness and heat from sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. Yum Yum Sauce commonly uses a mayonnaise base with ingredients such as tomato paste or ketchup and seasonings.

This Greek yogurt version is a variation of bang bang sauce, rather than a Yum Yum Sauce recipe.

Can I Use Regular Yogurt?

You can, but the sauce will usually be thinner. Strain plain regular yogurt in the refrigerator until thick before measuring, or use Greek yogurt for a more predictable dipping texture.

Straining requires additional time.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Yes. Double the yogurt and sweet chili sauce, then add the Sriracha gradually to suit your taste. Divide between a serving bowl and a covered refrigerated container.

Is This Sauce Dairy-Free or Vegan?

No. Greek yogurt contains dairy. A thick, plain plant-based yogurt would create a separate variation with a different flavor and consistency, and the bottled sauces would also need to be checked.

What Other Dip Can I Serve Alongside It?

Choose something with a contrasting flavor, such as Lemon Tahini Dip for Vegetables. It gives guests another option without repeating the same sweet chili flavor.