Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (2024)

Everyone needs a good Buffalo sauce recipe in their back pocket. Once you try Chef John's tried-and-true Buffalo sauce (inspired by the original recipe from Buffalo, New York), you'll never go back to the bottled stuff.

What Is Buffalo Sauce?

Buffalo sauce and hot sauce are not the same thing. Hot sauce is a spicy blend of cayenne pepper, vinegar, and salt. Buffalo sauce, meanwhile, is hot sauce that's been enhanced with butter and other ingredients. Buffalo sauce is much richer and smoother than regular hot sauce. It's used as a dipping sauce or a condiment. Of course, Buffalo sauce is most commonly associated with chicken wings.

Why Is It Called Buffalo Sauce?

So where does the name come from? It has nothing to do with bison. The spicy sauce was named after its birthplace: Buffalo, New York.

Who Invented Buffalo Sauce?

Teressa Bellissimo, owner of Anchor Bar, invented Buffalo sauce in 1964. At the time, chicken wings were usually thrown out or used to make stock for soup. When Bellissimo's son asked her to prepare a late-night snack for his friends, she deep-fried the wings and tossed them in a buttery hot sauce. Thus, Buffalo wings (and Buffalo sauce) were born.

Is Buffalo Sauce Spicy?

It can be! Buffalo sauce is usually available in mild, medium, and hot options. When you make homemade Buffalo sauce, you have the ability to control the spiciness level — use more cayenne pepper if you like it hot or less if you prefer milder flavors.

50 Delicious Ways to Use Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

Homemade Buffalo sauce comes together surprisingly quickly with just a few ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make the best Buffalo sauce of your life:

Hot Sauce
A hot, cayenne-pepper sauce (such as Frank's or Crystal) is the spicy base for this classic Buffalo sauce.

Butter
Butter adds a velvety smooth richness. It also balances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Vinegar
White vinegar lends welcome acidity and a pleasant tanginess.

Worcestershire Sauce, Cayenne, and Garlic Powder
Worcestershire sauce deepens the flavor, cayenne pepper turns up the heat, and garlic powder adds a powerful bite.

How to Make Buffalo Sauce

Anyone can make restaurant-worthy Buffalo sauce at home. Seriously — it's as simple as combining all the ingredients in a pot, bringing it to a simmer, and whisking until the sauce is nice and thick. Find the full recipe below for detailed, step-by-step instructions that'll make the process a breeze.

How to Store Buffalo Sauce

Store homemade Buffalo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You may have to shake up or stir refrigerated Buffalo sauce, as the ingredients have a tendency to separate over time.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is a terrific sauce," according to Tim Anderson. "You can mess around with the heat via the cayenne, but I like it as it is. The vinegar and butter really bring balance to it."

"This sauce is perfect," according to Abby215. "So easy to make and exactly what a wing sauce should be — the perfect blend of tangy and spicy. And, if you bake your wings, the butter really helps with the crispiness. Delicious — thanks Chef John!!

"You cannot go wrong with this wing sauce if you make sure to use Frank's as your base," says BARCHAM. "It is easy to adjust the heat level by the amount of butter you add to the mix. I usually add some paprika for a bit of a flavor boost and sometimes a few drops of liquid smoke to finish things off."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce

4.8

(903)

Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (1)

Cook Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Ingredients

  • cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)

  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter

  • 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar

  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • teaspoon garlic powder

  • salt to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (2)

  2. Combine hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt in a pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer while stirring with a whisk.

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (3)

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (4)

  3. As soon as the liquid begins to bubble on the sides of the pot, remove from heat, stir with the whisk, and set aside for use.

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (5)

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (6)

  4. Enjoy!

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (7)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

104Calories
12g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe8
Calories104
% Daily Value *
Total Fat12g15%
Saturated Fat7g37%
Cholesterol31mg10%
Sodium576mg25%
Total Carbohydrate0g0%
Dietary Fiber0g0%
Total Sugars0g
Protein0g0%
Vitamin C14mg16%
Calcium5mg0%
Iron0mg1%
Potassium33mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Do you put buffalo sauce on wings before or after cooking? ›

To get buffalo sauce to stick to wings, it's essential to toss the wings in the sauce immediately after they come out of the fryer or oven while they are still hot. The heat helps the sauce adhere to the wings, creating a flavorful and evenly coated exterior.

How to tone down Frank's red hot sauce? ›

Dairy has a natural ability to counteract spiciness, so a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkling of cheese can help tone down the heat. You can also try stirring in things such as butter, cream, or yogurt.

How do you get buffalo sauce to stick to wings? ›

After tossing the wings in the sauce once, let them cool slightly, then toss them in the sauce again for an extra layer of flavour. Thicken the sauce. If you prefer a thicker sauce that sticks better to the wings, you can add a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour to the sauce before tossing the wings in it.

Is Frank's red hot the same as buffalo sauce? ›

Buffalo sauce starts just like Frank's RedHot® Original – aged cayenne red peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt and garlic powder. But really, it ends there. (So, what's thedifference between hot sauce and buffalo sauce?) Natural butter flavor and paprika.

Is it better to fry or bake buffalo wings? ›

Removing the skin and baking also reduces the fat content which is extremely healthy for seniors and children. Baking keeps the nutrient content of the meat intact making it an utterly healthy cooking process.

What is the secret to perfect wings? ›

The Marinade: A Game-Changer

Marinating your wings is crucial for infusing them with flavor. Our chef suggests a marinade consisting of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey for a balanced taste. Let the wings marinate for at least two hours, but overnight is best for maximum flavor absorption.

What cancels out hot sauce? ›

Sweet Defeats Heat

Adding something sweet to a too-spicy dish is another great way to reduce spiciness. A sprinkle of sugar or honey should do the trick. Or add a touch of sweet ketchup. If it's a tomato-based sauce, stir in a little more tomato sauce and maybe a touch of sugar.

What to add to buffalo sauce to make it less spicy? ›

Buffalo sauce in its most simple form is made by combining butter with hot sauce, so to tone down the heat, you can simply add more butter. If you're open to making a slightly sweeter buffalo sauce, adding honey or agave could be a good option as well to neutralize some of the spiciness.

How to tame down buffalo sauce? ›

If you like heat, you're familiar with capsaicin. You also probably know that water doesn't help, but milk does. If you can't or won't do milk, other fatty ingredients like broth, olive oil, or butter will do the trick. Also, sugar will cut the heat pretty reliably.

Why add butter to hot wing sauce? ›

Butter adds a velvety smooth richness. It also balances the flavors of the other ingredients. White vinegar lends welcome acidity and a pleasant tanginess. Worcestershire sauce deepens the flavor, cayenne pepper turns up the heat, and garlic powder adds a powerful bite.

What is the difference between wing sauce and buffalo sauce? ›

Buffalo sauce is equal parts melted butter and Frank's Red Hot, a vinegar based hot sauce. Everything else is wing sauce.

Should I let wings cool before saucing? ›

Remove from oven and cool slightly. 8. For saucy wings, place in a deep bowl and toss in sauce for a thick, even coat.

Does Frank's red hot buffalo sauce need to be refrigerated? ›

The product will generally maintain good flavor quality for a few weeks after that date if refrigerated. Refrigeration will help maintain its flavor; however, it is not necessary if you prefer your Frank's RedHot® to be room temperature. The recommended shelf life from the date of manufacture if unopened is 24 months.

Can I use hot sauce instead of buffalo sauce? ›

Yes, there is a difference between buffalo sauce and hot sauce. Hot sauce is basically just hot peppers, salt, and vinegar. Add some whisked melted butter to your hot sauce, and you have created buffalo sauce. Buffalo sauce is smoother than hot sauce, and I find it to have a way richer flavor.

Does Frank's buffalo sauce go bad? ›

Frank's Red Hot® Original Buffalo Wings Sauce pouches are shipped and stored at ambient temperatures, have a shelf life of 9 months and is best if used by the code date. Protect product from freezing and store tightly closed to reduce the risk of contamination and maintain maximum product quality.

Do you add sauce before or after cooking chicken? ›

Barbecue sauce typically contains sugar that will brown faster than the meat. This can make it difficult to tell when the chicken is done. To ensure you don't pull the chicken off too soon, add the BBQ sauce when you're nearly done cooking the meat.

Can you put hot sauce on wings before baking? ›

In general, it's best to add your sauce only at the end of baking or until you're ready to serve. Doing so will preserve the crispiness of your wings and maintain the desired texture and taste all throughout the big game. Indeed, it's challenging to achieve the right balance between crispy and saucy wings.

Do you put barbecue sauce on wings before or after cooking? ›

Pouring the fat from the baking pans and adding the sauce towards the end of the cooking time is the trick.

Do you put sauce on wings before or after air frying? ›

It's best to sauce your wings after air frying so that the sauce doesn't burn. Plus, your air fryer will stay cleaner this way. When the wings finish cooking, add them to a bowl and toss them with the sauce.

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