My famous buffalo sauce recipe created to taste just like true wing sauce from Buffalo. My husband is from Buffalo, so I perfected this recipe to be as close to the original as possible and even he loves it!
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A Family Loved Homemade Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo is super close to home for my family, so of course, I had to create my own buffalo sauce recipe.
My husband is actually from Buffalo and has always boasted about how Buffalo has the best buffalo wings compared to where we are now in Rochester.
He loves to head out to Buffalo constantly to places like Duff’s, Bar-Bill Tavern, and the original buffalo wing stop Anchor Bar just to enjoy their wings and I get it. The sauces are amazing there.
So I decided to make my own buffalo sauce to replicate all of the sauces we’ve tried around Buffalo, and when I tell you this recipe was critiqued by a Buffalo expert, I mean it. I’ve finally tweaked it to the point that it’s perfect and tastes just like a true buffalo sauce recipe straight from Buffalo.
Just a little fun fact. Here in Buffalo and Rochester, everyone eats their buffalo wings with blue cheese and never ranch. I think it tastes so much better anyway!
And, if you love a good homemade sauce, try my honey sriracha sauce, mild buffalo sauce, honey garlic sauce, spicy mayo, and BBQ sauce recipes.
What is Buffalo sauce?
Buffalo sauce is a delicious wing sauce that combines cayenne pepper hot sauce with butter to get that creamy yet spicy kick. It originated at the Anchor Bar restaurant in Buffalo, New York in 1964 by founder Teressa Bellissimo.
Buffalo sauce has become incredibly popular, and I see it in most grocery stores. But, honestly I prefer this homemade from scratch version because it has the perfect balance of flavors and is so easy to make!
Buffalo Sauce Ingredients
- Frank’s red hot sauce — I find this hot sauce resembles the classic Buffalo flavors the closest.
- Butter
- White vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cayenne pepper — the amount will depend on your spice liking
- Garlic powder
- Salt
How to make Buffalo Sauce
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Combine
STEP TWO: Allow the mixture to come to a simmer. The butter should be completely melted. This takes about 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and add salt as needed.
STEP THREE: Take off the heat and allow it to cool. The sauce will start to thicken as it cools.
Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe Variations
- Amp up the heat by adding more cayenne pepper or a splash of a hotter pepper sauce.
- Use less cayenne and add a spoonful of honey to balance the spice and achieve a milder sauce similar to my honey buffalo sauce.
- Add minced garlic or increase the garlic powder for a deeper layer of flavor.
- Mix in some BBQ sauce and paprika for a sweeter, smoky version.
- Add dried herbs like dill or thyme for an aromatic touch.
Ways to use The Best Buffalo Chicken sauce
My husband loves using this recipe with my air fryer buffalo wings, buffalo chicken wraps, air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, and my buffalo chicken dip recipe.
I’ve also used it when making buffalo chicken thighs, buffalo chicken taquitos, a buffalo chicken sandwich, and even buffalo chicken mac and cheese for dinner.
Honestly, my recipe tastes great tossed or drizzled on all kinds of chicken that I have a whole list of 35 ways to use buffalo sauce with chicken.
Buffalo sauce Recipe FAQs
How to thicken Homemade Buffalo Chicken Sauce
My buffalo sauce gets pretty thick once it’s been in the refrigerator because of the butter content. I usually need to let it sit out a few minutes to loosen up before tossing it with wings.
But when I’m mixing up and using all of the sauce right away, I will mix in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon warm water in a small separate bowl to create a slurry mixture. Then just add it into the sauce while it’s cooking and mix! It will take a few minutes to officially thicken.
How to make buffalo sauce vegetarian
I made this recipe so it’s easily made vegetarian by swapping out normal Worcestershire sauce (it contains anchovies) for a vegan Worcestershire sauce.
I’ve also substituted it with half lemon juice, half soy sauce, and a small pinch of granulated sugar.
I do not recommend changing this recipe into vegan as real butter is a necessary ingredient to keep the creamy texture.
Storing Homemade Buffalo Sauce
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. I like to store mine inside a tightly sealed Mason Jar.
Is Buffalo Wing Sauce Keto?
Yes! My buffalo sauce recipe is entirely keto just like the classic version. It actually includes 0 carbs.
Easy Buffalo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine the Frank’s Red Hot, butter, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce*, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to a small sauce pan on medium-low heat.
- Whisk frequently until sauce comes to a simmer and butter is completely melted.
- Taste and add salt as needed.
- Let cool and refrigerate up to a month. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I made this tweet it a little because I didn’t have all the ingredients. But the basic recipe and it is wonderful!! Thank you, supper was wonderful!
I’m so glad to hear, Brenda!
Easy and delicious recipe for buffalo sauce! I will definitely make it again. Thanks, Samantha.
I’m so glad you liked it, Victoria! It’s one of my favorite sauces to put on almost everything!
Can I substitute with with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar? Of course I have those and not White vinegar (after coming home shopping for ingredients ready to go)
Hi John, yes apple cider vinegar can be used instead!
What if I don’t have the franks redhot sauce? Is there anything I can substitute for that?
Hi Susan, I personally prefer to use Frank’s Red Hot because of the flavor, but you can also use any other kind of hot sauce like Cholula, Texas Pete, etc.
Can I make the homemade buffalo wing sauce the day before and then warm it to put on fried chicken breast chunks next day?
Hi Judi, the sauce can be made and kept in the refrigerator for up to 30 days, so feel free to do that the day before or even earlier if you would like!
Wondering what to substitute for the butter to make it vegan? Is there a sub that would have the same affect?
Hi Shelley, I fully recommend using butter to make this buffalo sauce recipe, but you could try olive oil and a little lemon juice instead. I have never tried this substitute, but since butter gives it a bit of a more creamy taste and feel, it will not turn out exactly as the recipe was tested.
I noticed that it says that you can switch the regular worcestshire for other type for vegan sauce. It’s not going to be vegan with butter in it anyway.
Hi Juliette, you are correct the recipe would never be vegan. As stated in the post, the recipe would be vegetarian, not vegan with the switch. Most regular Worcestershire sauces include anchovies, which is not a vegetarian ingredient. It’s a lot easier, in my experience, to find a vegan Worcestershire sauce than one labeled vegetarian. I hope that clears it up!
My go to! The best!!!
Very good recipe and easy to make. But, how do you keep it trying to separate from the butter when cooling?
Hi Jeff, the butter can separate when the buffalo sauce isn’t mixed well enough. I recommend using a whisk or even an immersion blender to make sure the butter is completely mixed in with the sauce.
I had the same experience, however a local wing place has hot sauce that separates exactly the same so I’m not too worried about it. I just give it a quick mix before using it
This also happened to mine. I don’t think I should have let it boil. It’s delicious nonetheless.
Hi Samantha!
I am new to your cooking blog…. what a great alternative to buying store bought wing sauce. Thanks for a wonderful recipe. Cheers!
You’re welcome, Doris! It’s one of my favorite sauces of all time to make!
Hi Samantha,
I made the air fryer nachos . They were really good. Thanks
Do you have a buffalo Mac and cheese recipe?
I do not, but I really should!
I’m a first-time blogger without any original recipes to call my own. Can I use your buffalo sauce recipe on my blog?
Hi Chanel, no. These are recipes I spent hours creating to make perfect. If you are looking to start a food blog, you would need to create all of your own original recipes. Otherwise, that is stealing someone else’s hard work.