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    Home » Recipes » Sauces, Dips & Preserves » Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce 

    Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce 

    Published: Nov 27, 2022 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Tangy, spicy Homemade Buffalo Sauce uses basic ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make. It’s delicious on everything from buffalo chicken wings to burgers to pasta. Adjust the spice level to make it as hot or mild as you like.

    Chicken wings coated with buffalo sauce.

    You’ll never go back to store-bought sauce again after making this Homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe. With only 5 ingredients and super simple instructions, it’s hands-down the best sauce for buffalo wings.

    If you’re not a fan of restaurant wings smothered with hot sauce, give this recipe a try. You’ll be surprised how much better chicken wings taste when they’re coated in this thick, creamy sauce made with butter. No one can resist them, especially when you serve them with blue cheese or ranch dip.

    A saucepan of buffalo sauce

    Before making my own Buffalo sauce, I didn’t think I liked it. I don’t like most Buffalo wings in restaurants, they just taste like wings drenched in hot sauce. Then I made it from scratch and now I can’t get enough of it.

    Why do they call it Buffalo sauce?

    Buffalo chicken wing sauce was named for the place it was first served: Buffalo, New York. Some claim Teressa Bellissimo, owner of Anchor Bar, invented the popular recipe in 1964. 

    Others say John Young first served it at his Buffalo restaurant in 1961. Either way, the sauce caught on and buffalo wings became a classic finger food for game day parties across America.

    What will you find in Buffalo sauce?

    Butter gives the sauce its super smooth texture. Hot sauce, vinegar and brown sugar add the perfect blend of spicy tang with a hint of sweetness. The result is a lip-smacking sauce, dip and marinade you can use not only for wings, but for Buffalo chicken dip, Buffalo chicken bites and Buffalo tater tot casserole.

    Buffalo sauce being poured over ground chicken.

    How spicy is homemade wing sauce?

    The great thing about this homemade buffalo sauce recipe is that you can adjust the spice level to your taste.  My favorite hot sauce to use is Frank’s RedHot Original. It has the best blend of flavors without being overly spicy. 

    To make it hotter, use a sauce like Frank’s RedHot Xtra Hot or shake in some cayenne pepper. If you want the sauce less spicy, simply choose a milder hot sauce. Or you can reduce the amount of hot sauce you use in the recipe.

    Are there different types of Buffalo sauce?

    Making this from-scratch version allows you to adjust not only the spice level but also customize it with other ingredients. Start with the basic recipe and add any of the following for a spin on my classic recipe: 

    Worcestershire sauce

    Minced garlic or garlic powder

    Onion powder

    Paprika

    Chili sauce

    Mustard

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      How to store buffalo sauce

      Transfer extra sauce to a bowl and cover it with a tight-fitting lid. Store for up to a week in the refrigerator. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop.

      What else goes with Buffalo Chicken wing sauce?

      • Drizzle it over beef enchiladas, breakfast burritos or pizza
      • Stir it into mac and cheese and mashed potatoes
      • Make buffalo chicken dip or chicken bites 
      • It’s great with chicken pasta and chicken tenders
      • Use it as a dip for fresh veggies, french fries
      • Add it to tater tot casserole, pulled pork and sliders 

      So many reasons this is going to be your favorite sauce

      • So simple and quick, it’s done in less than 10 minutes
      • Easily double or triple the recipe if you need more
      • Rich, smooth, buttery flavor with just the right amount of heat
      • It’s so versatile, try it as a marinade for grilled pork or chicken 

      Grab some butter and 4 ingredients

      Ingredients for homemade Buffalo Sauce

      Butter – this is what sets this sauce apart from hot sauce

      Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce – I like the cayenne pepper flavor in Frank’s, but you can use your favorite kind

      Texas Pete – a second hot sauce adds more depth 

      Dark brown sugar – has a more complex flavor than light brown sugar

      Cider vinegar – you can substitute white vinegar

      You hardly need directions to make this easy homemade wing sauce

      Step 1 – melt the butter

      Add the butter to a small saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until melted. 

      Step 2 – add the heat

      Next, stir in Frank’s RedHot Sauce and Texas Pete hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a low simmer but don’t boil.

      Step 3 – finish the sauce

      Whisk in the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Stir just until the sugar is dissolved, then remove the sauce mixture from the heat. 

      A saucepan of buffalo sauce.

      Pro tip: The sauce will thicken as it cools. If you’d like it even thicker, combine equal parts cornstarch and water. Heat the buffalo wing sauce to a simmer and slowly pour in the cornstarch mixture until you reach the desired consistency.

      Questions you might need answered

      Are buffalo sauce and hot sauce the same?

      They are not the same thing. Hot sauce is a mix of cayenne pepper, vinegar and salt. Buffalo sauce combines hot sauce with butter for a smoother, richer sauce.

      Can buffalo sauce expire?

      If stored for too long, this homemade sauce can go bad. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within a week, or freeze  for up to six months.

      If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

      Baked Buffalo chicken wings with a blue cheese dipping sauce.

      BUFFALO SAUCE

      Author: Barbara Curry
      Tangy, spicy Homemade Buffalo Sauce uses basic ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make. It’s delicious on everything from buffalo chicken wings to burgers to pasta. Adjust the spice level to make it as hot or mild as you like.
      5 from 1 vote
      Print Pin
      PREP: 5 minutes
      COOK: 10 minutes
      Servings: 4

      Ingredients
       

      • 4 tablespoons butter
      • ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original sauce
      • 2 tablespoons Texas Pete hot sauce
      • 2 tablespoon dark brown sugar
      • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
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      Instructions
       

      • Add butter to a saucepan and melt over low heat. Whisk in the rest of the ingredients and cook until the sugar has melted.
      Barbara’s Tips + Notes
      • Nutrition information is based on ¼ cup of sauce.
      • You can leave out the vinegar if you want a sweeter sauce.
      • This sauce can be made ahead and frozen until ready to use. 

      Nutrition

      Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1057mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg
      Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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      Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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