Buffalo Sauce From Scratch

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Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by Toya

For a fast and easy sauce, try this buffalo sauce recipe that can be made in minutes. You’ll learn how to make easy buffalo sauce in just 15 minutes, with simple ingredients.

A great buffalo sauce is surprisingly hard to come by these days, and when you do find it, it’s often overpriced or filled with additives. It’s baffling, really, because making buffalo sauce at home is incredibly easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. So why rely on store-bought versions when you can create a fresh, flavorful batch in no time?

One of the best things about my homemade buffalo sauce is its versatility. YI can easily tweak this recipe to suit any dish, by adding extra flavor notes like smoked paprika or honey when I feel like it.

It’s the perfect easy sauce that I love making when I’m hosting a game day party or just craving a zesty topping for your favorite comfort food. And I love these with my chicken wings (or other pieces of chicken really).

Tips for making the best buffalo sauce:

• Use a good-quality hot sauce: Choose hot sauces that are free from harmful additives and unnecessary sugars. A great example is Franks Hot Sauce.

• Adjust the spiciness: Add cayenne pepper to adjust the heat level. For a new twist, try adding ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika to give the sauce a complex and deep flavor.
• Garlic options: This recipe calls for garlic powder, but you can use raw garlic if you prefer. However, if you’re not confident with your knife skills and making garlic paste, garlic powder is a great alternative to avoid chunks of garlic in your sauce.

What is Buffalo sauce made of?

For this buffalo sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• ½ cup hot pepper sauce (such as Franks RedHot Sauce)
• ½ cup cubed unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional (add more if you prefer more heat)

How to make buffalo sauce from scratch

To make this easy buffalo sauce, you will first need to gather all of your ingredients.

To start, combine hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a saucepan. Then add cayenne pepper if using.

Set the saucepan over medium-high heat for a few minutes to let the butter melt. Make sure to stir gently to mix everything in nicely and evenly.

Simmer the sauce for 1 minute. Next, remove from the heat and place aside, allowing the flavors to develop.

You can use this easy buffalo wing sauce to coat chicken wings, or store it in your fridge for up to a week before use.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Can I make buffalo sauce ahead of time? Yes, you can make buffalo sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You will need to reheat the sauce gently before using.
2. Can I adjust the spiciness of the sauce? Absolutely! You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less cayenne pepper or hot sauce, depending on your preference. If you like it extra spicy, add more cayenne.
3. What type of hot sauce should I use? The best hot sauce for buffalo sauce is one with a balanced heat and tang. A popular choice is Frank’s RedHot, but any hot sauce with a good flavor profile and minimal additives will work.
4. Can I use a substitute for butter? Yes, you can substitute butter with a variety of options, such as margarine, olive oil, or even coconut oil. However, butter gives the sauce its signature richness, so the flavor may change slightly with substitutions.
5. Can I make buffalo sauce without garlic powder? While garlic powder adds a nice depth of flavor, you can use fresh garlic instead. Just finely mince the garlic and sauté it in the butter to release its flavor before adding the hot sauce.