Our homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe is so much better than store bought! Just a handful of basic ingredients, and you can make the ultimate spicy dipping sauce.
Use it on wings, or for giving a variety of dishes some serious heat.
We love the freshness of making our own homemade sauces. And when it comes to spicy, we have some great ones like Peri Peri Sauce and Bulgogi Sauce.
This latest addition to our collection is a real American classic…
What is Buffalo Sauce?
Buffalo sauce is a zesty condiment that hails from Buffalo, New York, where it was first concocted in 1964 at the Anchor Bar by Teressa Bellissimo. She whipped it up as a quick and tasty way to serve leftover wings to her son and his friends.
This impromptu creation has since become synonymous with Buffalo-style chicken wings and has secured a beloved spot in the pantheon of American food culture.
In essence, it is a hot sauce that’s moderated with melted butter, which adds a smooth texture, and somewhat tempers the heat. Oftentimes, other ingredients are added for a deeper flavor profile.
It’s not just for wings anymore. This spicy sauce can add pep to burgers, wraps, pizza, salads and sandwiches.
What is the Best Hot Sauce to Use?
Well, technically there’s no single best option. It’s your buffalo sauce, after all.
However, for the most traditional and authentic flavors, go with Frank’s Red Hot. That is what was used in the original recipe, and still remains a foundation of most buffalo recipes. Note, that you want the original hot sauce, not the buffalo wing sauce for this recipe.
You can also experiment with other similar hot sauces such as Tabasco, Crystal, Cholula or Valentina.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: The backbone of Buffalo sauce. Note that due to the high sodium content of the hot sauce, I are recommending unsalted butter.
- Hot Sauce: A traditional cayenne pepper-based hot sauce works best, but for a milder sauce, you could use a less spicy hot sauce.
- White Vinegar: For a little acidity. Apple cider vinegar could be used for a slightly sweeter tang.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a touch of complexity to the sauce..
- Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic could be used also.
- Cayenne Pepper: For an additional layer of heat. Not entirely necessary, but we like the extra kick.
How to Make Buffalo Sauce
Simply melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Easy enough for ya?
Uses for Your Spicy Sauce
Well, of course you can use it with wings. Simply cook wings with your desired method, then toss them with buffalo wing sauce. This recipe is enough for about 4 pounds of wings. Don’t forget the Blue Cheese Dressing!
Or, think beyond the chicken with these tasty ideas:
- Pizza Drizzle: For an extra zing, drizzle Buffalo sauce over your pizza before or after baking.
- Burger Topping: Amp up your burger by adding a generous spread of Buffalo sauce on the patty. Especially great with blue cheese burgers.
- Dipping Sauce: It’s a no-brainer for wings, I also love to use Buffalo sauce as a dip for celery or carrots.
- Sandwich Spread: Mix Buffalo sauce with a bit of mayo or Greek yogurt for a spicy sandwich spread that’s perfect for wraps, burgers, or chicken sandwiches.
- Mac and Cheese: Stir into your cheese sauce for a Buffalo mac and cheese that’s comfort food with an attitude.
- Buffalo Cauliflower: Vegetarians rejoice! Toss roasted or fried cauliflower in Buffalo sauce for a meat-free alternative.
If you want a great dump and go meal, try our easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken. It’s very versatile and makes especially great sandwiches.
Storage
Made with fairly stable ingredients, buffalo sauce can be kept refrigerated for at least one month. First, allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
Make sure to give it a good stir before using.
Give your taste buds a ride on the spicy side with our easy buffalo sauce recipe. Whether you’re craving wings, or just looking to zest things up, this is one condiment you need in your life!
While you’re here, be sure to check out our collection of favorite Chicken Wing Recipes.
Buffalo Sauce, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
More Can’t-Miss Sauce Recipes:
Teriyaki Sauce
Aji Verde
Chipotle Mayo
General Tso Sauce
Jamaican Jerk Sauce
Chili Oil
Buffalo Sauce Recipe
Our homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe is so much better than store bought! Use it on wings, or for giving a variety of dishes some serious heat!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 12oz hot sauce (see note 1)
- 2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in remaining ingredients.
- Remove from heat.
Notes
- Franks Red Hot is most traditional. Other options are Tabasco, Crystal, Valentina and Cholula.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 113Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 31mgSodium 116mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 1g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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