Follow these step-by-step instructions and learn how to make BUFFALO SAUCE! Homemade buffalo sauce is spicy, tangy, EASY to make, and VERSATILE, too! Perfect for all kinds of dishes.
In general, I consider myself to be a healthy eater and am able to exercise a decent amount of self-control when it comes to food.
That is not the case when it comes to all things buffalo sauce! This includes buffalo wings, grilled buffalo chicken sandwiches, buffalo spiced potato chips… the list goes on. If there’s buffalo sauce somewhere in the dish, chances are I’m eating it!
What is Buffalo Sauce?
Buffalo Sauce is found on the menu of nearly every sports bar and restaurant around. I always thought that it was this complicated concoction that took forever to develop, but I’m happy to tell you that’s totally not the case. It’s easy to learn how to make buffalo sauce.
Why is it called Buffalo Sauce?
Have you ever wondered why it’s called Buffalo Sauce? If so, you’re not alone! Evidently, buffalo wings originated at a place called the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.
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.
Is Buffalo Sauce spicy?
Buffalo Sauce is a little spicy, but you can adjust the flavor to make it more or less spicy. The honey in this recipe cuts down the spice a little bit, but you can add more honey to make it even less spicy.
If you’d like to make it even spicier, though, feel free to add a few dashes of Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper! Buffalo sauce should contain a nice balance of spice, tangy, and even a little sweet, depending on how much honey or sugar is added to it.
What is in Buffalo Sauce?
It’s basically a combination of two to three ingredients:
- 4 Tbsps. unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Hot Sauce (or hot sauce of your choice)
- 1 Tbsp. honey
Combining these two (or three if you use a sweetener) ingredients provides you with a tangy homemade buffalo sauce you’ll love.
The star of buffalo sauce is the hot sauce itself. My favorite hot sauce to use is Frank’s Red Hot Original variety. Frank’s gives you that quintessential ‘buffalo’ flavor to which we are accustomed. It’s made with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and some garlic.
However, you can use any type of hot sauce you like, but since I used Frank’s for this recipe, keep in mind using a different brand will change the flavor of your homemade buffalo sauce.
How to Make Buffalo Sauce
The first step when making buffalo sauce is to melt some butter. I like to do this in a skillet on the stove top.
- Simply heat a skillet to medium-low and add 4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter to the pan.
- Stir the butter around as it slowly melts in the pan.
- Heat it just until melted and be careful that it doesn’t brown or burn.
- Once the butter has melted add 3/4 cup of Frank’s Hot Sauce to the skillet.
- Stir the hot sauce into the butter until completely combined.
- Continue to cook the sauce on medium-low for a few minutes and allow the ingredients to melt together.
- Add 1 Tbsp. of honey to the buffalo sauce and stir until the honey is combined.
- Remove the skillet from the heat when it is heated through.
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- Melt 4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter.
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- Add 3/4 cup of hot sauce and stir to combine.
Uses for Buffalo Sauce
Once your homemade buffalo sauce is finished, it’s ready to add to all of your favorite dishes! The most popular use for it is to add it to chicken wings. This is a personal favorite of mine.
It can also be used to make buffalo chicken meatballs, buffalo chicken sandwiches, buffalo chicken pizza, buffalo chicken tacos, buffalo chicken wraps; basically, chicken and buffalo sauce were made to go together!
You can also keep it vegetarian by adding it to fried tofu or tempeh. I’ve ordered buffalo tofu strips at a local restaurant and they were pretty stellar.
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 addicting sauce.
Homemade buffalo sauce is great to have in your kitchen repertoire. Once you know how to make buffalo sauce, you’ll be set! It’s great for game day fare like appetizers and other bite-size eats.
This sauce is versatile enough to add to your favorite dips and spreads, drizzle on a flatbread or, well, anything, really. Let’s face it: buffalo sauce is downright addicting!
Love homemade sauce recipes?
Make more of your favorite sauce recipes at home! Here are our favorites:
- Peri Peri Sauce Recipe: A spicy, flavorful South African sauce, perfect for Peri Peri Chicken!
- How to Make Teriyaki Sauce: An easy, classic Asian sauce, ideal for Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken!
- How to Make Alfredo Sauce: Make a cheesy, delicious Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken with this homemade alfredo recipe!
- Romesco Sauce Recipe: A smoky, delicious, and versatile Spanish sauce you’ll love!
- Remoulade Sauce Recipe: Creamy, tangy, and versatile, too! Pair remoulade sauce with seafood.
- Yum Yum Sauce Recipe: A classic Japanese steakhouse sauce that will have you saying “yum, yum”! Perfect for a Tuna Rice Bowl with Yum Yum Sauce.
- Easy Hollandaise Sauce: A brunch classic you’ll love with Eggs Benedict!
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How to Make Buffalo Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsps. unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Original Hot Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. honey
Instructions
- Heat a skillet to medium-low and add 4 Tbsps. of butter to the pan.
- Slowly melt the butter in the skillet and stir to prevent burning.
- Once the butter has melted add 3/4 cup of Frank's Red Hot Sauce to the pan. Stir to incorporate into the butter.
- Add 1 Tbsp. of 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.
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