Nothing beats that tangy, spicy kick you get from a good Buffalo chicken sauce. It’s a flavor that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Whether making it up for game day wings or drizzling it over a crispy chicken salad, that blend of heat and tang makes everything taste better.
Making your own buffalo chicken sauce at home is surprisingly simple. You control the spice levels, the tang, and even the shade of red.
It’s all about finding that perfect balance between hot sauce, butter, and a few other pantry staples. And nothing beats the satisfaction of pouring a homemade sauce over your meal.
I’ll share my simple yet zesty Buffalo Chicken Sauce recipe in this blog post. It’s perfect for coating wings, drizzling over salads, or even as a dip for your favorite veggies. After you make this sauce, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Looking for more Buffalo chicken recipes? Try my Buffalo chicken chili, Instant Pot Buffalo chicken and Buffalo chicken taquitos.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Hot sauce: My go-to is always Frank’s. It’s the classic choice for that authentic Buffalo flavor, but feel free to mix it up if you have a personal favorite.
- White vinegar: Or apple cider vinegar.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Unsalted butter: This adds a rich creaminess that balances out the heat.
- Salt
- Pepper
🥣How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sauce
- Combine the hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Simmer everything over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.
- Now, take it off the heat.
- Once off the heat, whisk in your butter until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Finally, season with salt and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust as needed.
🌶️Customization Tips
In this section, I’ll guide you through tweaking your Buffalo Chicken Sauce to suit your tastes.
Spice Level Adjustments
Mild: I reduce the amount of cayenne pepper by half for a less fiery sauce or skip it altogether. Balance it by adding more butter, which mellows the heat while keeping the sauce flavorful.
Medium: The original recipe hits the medium spot, but if I want just a bit more kick without going overboard, a slight increase in hot sauce does the trick.
Hot: To set my taste buds ablaze, I add extra cayenne pepper or swap in a hotter variety of chili peppers. Incorporating a touch of chili extract is another way to crank up the heat.
Table for Quick Reference:
| Spice Level | Hot Sauce | Cayenne Pepper | Butter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | Same | Half/None | More |
| Medium | Same | Same | Same |
| Hot | More | More/Hotter Pepper Variety | Same/Less |
Consistency and Texture Adjustments
I like my Buffalo sauce smooth with a velvety sheen. It will thicken slightly but it won’t be as thick as a dressing or dip. Here is how you can adjust it:
- Too thick? I whisk in a little more hot sauce or some water, a tablespoon at a time until I’m happy with it.
- Too thin? I let it simmer a bit longer or mix in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it up.
Always taste as you go and tweak it until it’s just right.
🍴Serving Ideas
This sauce is versatile and can jazz up even the simplest dishes. So, what can you pair with this zesty buffalo chicken sauce?
- Wings: The most obvious choice, but let’s be honest – nothing beats a spicy Buffalo wing. Toss your wings with this sauce for delicious flavor.
- Burgers: Add a little kick to your burger night with a generous dollop of this sauce.
- Pizza: Swap your regular pizza sauce for this buffalo sauce and sprinkle some leftover rotisserie chicken on top for a chicken wing pizza.
- Salads: If you think salads are boring (like my husband), try tossing your greens in this sauce.
- Egg rolls: Use this spicy sauce to make some Buffalo chicken egg rolls for a fun Chinese-American fusion snack.
💭How to Store
Now that you’ve doused everything in sight with your homemade buffalo sauce, you might have some leftovers. Now, the next question is, how do we store this sauce without losing its zesty flavor?
First, make sure you’re using an airtight container. Glass jars with a tight lid work best, but a BPA-free plastic container will do the trick, too. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Taking the sauce off the heat before gradually whisking in the butter will help emulsify the butter and create a smooth and slightly thicker sauce with a velvety texture.
- The type of hot sauce you use can change the flavor of your buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot sauce is the classic choice, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other brands and flavors. Any cayenne pepper-based sauce will give you a traditional Buffalo flavor. The heat level can vary dramatically between brands, so choose according to your heat tolerance.
- Want to add more depth to your buffalo sauce? A sprinkle of garlic powder or a little honey can add an extra layer of savory goodness.
📝Reader Questions
Absolutely! Buffalo sauce stays good for about a week, and the flavors deepen over time.
Yes, Buffalo sauce isn’t just for chicken. You can drizzle it over pizza, stir it into mac and cheese, or even use it as a dipping sauce for veggies.
Add more butter to mellow the heat if the sauce is too spicy. You can also add a bit of honey or brown sugar for a sweet counterbalance to the spice.
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The Best Buffalo Chicken Sauce Recipe for Game Day Glory
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup hot sauce like Franks
- 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine the hot sauce, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a small saucepan.⅔ cup hot sauce, 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Take the sauce off the heat. Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, whisking until it melts before adding the next tablespoon.½ cup butter
- Stir in the salt and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust as needed.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
Notes
- Taking the sauce off the heat before gradually whisking in the butter will help emulsify the butter and create a smooth and slightly thicker sauce with a velvety texture.
- The type of hot sauce you use can change the flavor of your buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot sauce is the classic choice, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other brands and flavors.
- The sauce stays good for about a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Add more butter to mellow the heat if the sauce is too spicy. You can also add a bit of honey or brown sugar for a sweet counterbalance to the spice.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
