This 4-ingredient, 5-minute buffalo wing sauce is simple to make and the perfect thick and creamy hot sauce for wings, other chicken dishes, dips, pasta, pizza, and everything in between!
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.It should only be melted, not bubbling or turning brown, so monitor it well.
Add the remaining ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a simmer and cook until smooth and thickened - just a few minutes.
Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking, then remove it from the heat and leave it to cool (it will thicken as it cools). Then it's ready to either use immediately or store in the fridge.
This will yield about 1.5 cups of sauce. About 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce is enough to season 1.5-1.6 lb of chicken wings. You can adjust the amount to taste.
Storage Instructions
Store: Allow the homemade buffalo sauce to cool and then store it in an airtight container, like a bottle or jar, in the refrigerator for up to a month!When you want to use the hot wing sauce, shake it well and remove it from the fridge for several minutes to allow the butter to soften again for the best consistency. You could also reheat it slightly in the microwave (just 10 seconds is usually enough).Freeze: Transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before using it again.
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Notes
Adjust the heat: Choose a hot sauce that matches your desired spice level and/or boost the heat further with added cayenne pepper (to taste).
To make it even less spicy: Reduce the ratio of hot sauce added to the butter.
For a lighter sauce: You can reduce some of the butter, replacing it with cornstarch slurry to act as a thickener.
Optional add-ins and variations: Some people think the best buffalo sauce recipe is simple, like my base recipe. Others prefer to add a little something extra. Perhaps vinegar for tang and/or honey for sweetness. Here are my favorite optional buffalo sauce ingredients.
Vinegar: Many buffalo chicken sauce recipes contain a tangy element. You can experiment with white vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, etc. Adjust the amount to taste, starting with 1 Tbsp.
Worcestershire sauce: Add a splash or two for added umami and depth. Use vegan Worcestershire sauce if necessary.
Smoked paprika: To add smokiness. Liquid smoke could also work (just a few drops).
Cayenne pepper: To add more spice to the hot wing sauce recipe. Use as much as you’d like.
Chili flakes: Another way to add more spice is with the chili flakes of your choice. Stick to something moderately hot or go as far as ghost pepper flakes for heat that packs a wallop.
Soy sauce: will add umami depth, too, if used as a replacement for salt.
Honey: The combination of sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy is absolutely delicious. Start with just a teaspoon of honey and increase to taste for the best buffalo wing sauce. You could use dandelion honey (made from plants) for a vegan version.
Check the blog post for more tips, serving recommendations, and answers to top FAQs!