Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe

Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe

I already know you LOVE Buffalo sauce. I mean, you’re hanging around Chili Pepper Madness, so that’s a good indication that you love spicy food.

It's also a good indication that Buffalo sauce is something you’ve been enjoying much of your life.

For some people, Buffalo sauce is one of the gateway foods. One day you’re a regular eater, then you try a good Buffalo sauce, usually on a chicken wing or a chicken tender. Then...

BOOM! Instant chilihead.

I get Buffalo sauce on my wings all the time when I’m at a restaurant. At home, I like to make it myself. Why? I like mine better. Homemade Buffalo Sauce is the best.

Why is it Called "Buffalo" Sauce?

Buffalo sauce has nothing to do with buffaloes. Buffalo sauce was actually named for Buffalo, New York, where the sauce was invented, at the famous Anchor Bar.

I was lucky enough to visit the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, and this is the real deal sauce, so much like the original Buffalo sauce, so much better than store bought.

What is Buffalo Sauce?

Buffalo sauce is basically a mixture of hot sauce with melted butter. You can (and should) add other ingredients, but that is the core combination. The very definition of a Buffalo sauce.

When you combine a simple hot sauce with a bit of melted butter, swirl them together and you have yourself a basic Buffalo sauce.

What’s the difference between Buffalo Sauce and Hot Sauce?

Some people confuse hot sauce with Buffalo sauce. You can use them interchangeably, based on your own flavor preferences. However, they are different because of the butter. Buffalo sauce tends to be thicker and smoother than hot sauce. It's more silky in texture from the addition of butter. Richer, too.

Most people consider it a buffalo wing sauce only, though you can use it to spice up many different foods. Try buffalo chicken dip. Such a great recipe.

Let's talk about how to make Buffalo sauce at home, shall we?

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

• Butter. I use unsalted butter.
• Louisiana Style Hot Sauce. Frank's hot sauce is very popular, though I enjoy using Valentina HOT, as it makes a nice thick buffalo sauce.
• Vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
• Worcestershire Sauce. For a nice flavor pop.
• Paprika. I love Hungarian hot paprika, though smoked is great, too.
• Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper.
• Optional Addition. Pinch of ghost pepper flakes for XTRA HOT! Or try Cayenne pepper for a nice level heat. I also like to add Tabasco sauce for a bit of a tangy finish.

Of course you CAN make your own sauce with only 2 ingredients, as many recipes like to push - butter and hot sauce, with vinegar and Worcestershire optional additions - and it's good in a pinch, but the extra ingredients here make a big difference in the overall flavor.

Highly recommended!

How To Make Buffalo Sauce - The Recipe Method

First, melt the butter in a small pot over low to medium heat.

Next, add the hot sauce - a good Louisiana style hot sauce - along with vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne or ghost chili flakes (if using), paprika, garlic and salt and pepper, until the sauce is nice and smooth.

Finally, cool slightly, then store in an airtight container in the fridge or use it right away.

Boom! Done! Your homemade buffalo sauce is ready to enjoy. How are you going to enjoy yours? This is the best buffalo sauce you'll ever try, hands down.

Ways to Use Homemade Buffalo Sauce

• Wings, wings, wings! Check out my classic Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe, or these awesome fried chicken wings.
• Pizza. Drizzle it over your pizza to make Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
• Dips or Dippers. Swirl it with a mixture of cream cheese and ranch dressing for a super simple spicy dip. As a Dip for Chicken Taquitos or The Ultimate Texas Nachos.
• Meatballs or Sliders. Mix it into ground meat to flavor anything from meatballs to homemade hamburger patties or shredded chicken for Buffalo Chicken Sliders.
• Spicy Pasta. Combine it with some tomato sauce for a spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta.
• Marinade. Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or grilled pork.
• Spicy Bloody Mary! Swirl some into your spicy bloody mary for one of the best you've ever had
• Drizzle it. Drizzle over Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, or Mike’s Late Night Nachos.

Storage Information

Store your Buffalo sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a month or longer. Simple reheat it to enjoy again.

You can also freeze Buffalo sauce in vacuum sealed containers, where it will last for 6 months.

Check Out Some of My Popular "Buffalo" Recipes

• Boneless Buffalo Wings
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Buffalo-Blue Cheese Chicken Sliders
• Creamy Buffalo Mac and Cheese
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Buffalo Cauliflower
• Buffalo Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

They're also PERFECT on this Crispy Baked Chicken Wings recipe.

Try Some of These Other Sauce Recipes

• Peri Peri Sauce
• Jamaican Jerk Sauce
• Mango Habanero Sauce
• Homemade Cocktail Sauce
• Nashville Hot Sauce
• Honey-Sriracha Sauce