Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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. 

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.