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My easy Buffalo Sauce Recipe comes together in no time at all! It is the perfect combination of savory and tangy with a kick of heat. Homemade buffalo sauce is great for serving with chicken dishes of all kinds, and much more. Ready in 10 minutes using 3 simple ingredients!
Jump to:
- Best Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe
- Why is it called buffalo sauce?
- FAQs
- Buffalo Hot Sauce
- How to Make Buffalo Sauce
- How to Store Buffalo Sauce
- How to Freeze Buffalo Sauce
- How to Reheat Buffalo Sauce
- How to Use Buffalo Sauce
- Recipe Tips
- Vegan Buffalo Sauce Instructions
- Best Football Appetizers
- More Easy Sauce Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
Best Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe
We all have our favorite bottled buffalo sauce, but man-oh-man, talk about a difference when you make it from scratch! The first time I made this homemade buffalo sauce, I knew I would be making it myself from then on. It's just so delicious!
Buffalo sauce is a classic and fan-favorite sauce for too many reasons to count, but the pairing of chicken wings, buffalo sauce, and football is what truly put this spicy, flavorful sauce in the spotlight. It is impossible to walk into a sports bar and not find buffalo sauce on the menu, and for good reason!
The combination of the warming spices from hot sauce and creaminess from butter make this a mouth-watering and totally irresistible dipping sauce. My homemade buffalo sauce uses only 3 ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes, making it a great choice for pairing with your favorite game day recipes or for enjoying on pizza night!
Why is it called buffalo sauce?
Have you ever wondered why it’s called buffalo sauce? Buffalo wings originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Rumor has it co-owner Teressa Bellissimo cooked leftover wings in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends.
The wings were so well-liked, the Bellissimos put them on the menu the next day. As with most food origin stories, there are a number of variations regarding how and why the recipe was created, but the fact is that it happened in Buffalo, New York – so that’s what makes it Buffalo sauce!
FAQs
Buffalo sauce is a combination of bottled hot sauce and some sort of fat, typically butter. For this recipe I use hot sauce, butter, and honey to add a sweet and tangy flavor.
When making sauces from scratch, always monitor the level of heat being used. If the pan is too hot and the milk solids in the butter begin to separate, it could cause a break in the sauce. Melt the butter slowly, and incorporate each ingredient fully before moving to the next.
Hot sauces are typically gluten-free, but always be sure to check for and purchase a gluten-free hot sauce before cooking with it.
The level of heat in your buffalo sauce will depend on the hot sauce used for the recipe. If a spicier buffalo sauce is desired, use a spicier hot sauce for the recipe. Remember, when using mild hot sauces, the butter and honey will cut through some of the heat as it cooks, so it could become even more mild in flavor.
Traditional hot sauce is made from spicy peppers, salt, and vinegar. Buffalo sauce contains hot sauce, but it is smoother and richer because melted butter is added to it.
Buffalo Hot Sauce
The star of buffalo sauce is the hot sauce itself. My favorite hot sauce to use in this recipe is Frank’s Red Hot Original variety. Frank’s gives you the quintessential ‘buffalo’ flavor you're looking for in a homemade buffalo sauce recipe. It uses aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and some garlic.
For this recipe, I suggest using a hot sauce you're familiar with. Pick your favorite! Chances are if you like the hot sauce on its own, you will like it in your buffalo dipping sauce.
If you really want to control the flavor and spice level of your buffalo sauce, use a homemade hot sauce. Your friends will love tasting your creation knowing it's made completely from scratch!
How to Make Buffalo Sauce
- Heat a skillet to medium-low and add butter. Slowly melt the butter in the skillet, stirring to prevent burning.
- Once the butter melts, add hot sauce to the pan. Stir to incorporate into the butter.
- Add honey to the butter and hot sauce. Stir until completely combined. Continue to heat on medium-low for a few minutes until it has heated through. Remove skillet from heat when finished.
Adjust the spice levels as you like. Add more honey for less spice and a few dashes of Tabasco sauce for more spice.
How to Store Buffalo Sauce
Homemade buffalo sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. I like to keep homemade buffalo sauce in a Mason jar; this way, I can give the sauce a good shake before using.
How to Freeze Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo sauce can be left in the freezer, preferably in a Ziploc freezer bag for easier storage, for up to six months. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight or gently warm in a water bath on the stove. Make sure to label the bag with the freezing date.
How to Reheat Buffalo Sauce
The best way to reheat buffalo sauce is to heat it slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Be sure to keep a whisk nearby. If the sauce begins to separate, take the pan off the heat and whisk vigorously to keep everything incorporated. I have also found adding half a tablespoon more of room temperature butter to the sauce helps keep everything cohesive.
How to Use Buffalo Sauce
Once you know how to make buffalo sauce, you can use it for so many dishes! The most popular use for it is to add it to Homemade Buffalo Wings (with plenty of crumbly blue cheese on the side!), but there are so many other ways to utilize this fantastic sauce.
You can also use it to make buffalo chicken meatballs, buffalo chicken sandwiches, buffalo chicken pizza, buffalo chicken tacos, buffalo chicken wraps… Basically, chicken and buffalo sauce are made to go together! I especially love buffalo sauce with homemade crispy fried chicken.
You can also keep it vegetarian by adding it to fried tofu, cauliflower bites, or tempeh. I’ve ordered buffalo tofu strips at a local restaurant and they were absolutely incredible!
Buffalo cauliflower is a great option if you want a lighten things up a little bit. Any type of snack food like popcorn or chips are also perfect vehicles for this crave-worthy sauce!
Recipe Tips
- Use a hot sauce you are familiar with and know you enjoy.
- Don't be afraid to play around with the ingredients. Want a spicier buffalo sauce? Use a spicy hot sauce! Not sweet enough for you? Add a little more honey!
- Monitor the heat level of your pan when mixing ingredients. If the pan is too hot, the sauce could separate.
- Incorporate each ingredient in the sauce as you mix them, stirring as you go.
Vegan Buffalo Sauce Instructions
To make this a vegan buffalo sauce, rather than using butter and eggs, combine the same measurements of hot sauce, vegan butter, and agave nectar.
Best Football Appetizers
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- Garlic Lemon Aioli
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
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- Spicy Sriracha Mayo
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📖 Recipe
Buffalo Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter unsalted
- ¾ cup hot sauce I use Frank's Red Hot Original Hot Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt 4 Tablespoons of unsalted butter while stirring to prevent burning.4 Tablespoons butter
- Once the butter melts, add hot sauce to the pan, continuing to stir to incorporate the hot sauce into the butter.¾ cup hot sauce
- After mixing the hot sauce through, add in honey. Stir to combine completely, then continue to cook for a few minutes more until heated through. Remove from heat once finished.1 Tablespoon honey
Notes
- Use a hot sauce you are familiar with and know you enjoy.
- Don't be afraid to play around with the ingredients. Want a spicier buffalo sauce? Use a spicy hot sauce! Not sweet enough for you? Add a little more honey!
- Monitor the heat level of your pan when mixing ingredients. If the pan is too hot, the sauce could separate.
- Incorporate each ingredient in the sauce as you mix them, stirring as you go.
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