You’ve found your new go-to buffalo sauce recipe. It includes my secret trick to a nice and thick buffalo sauce that coats your chicken wings completely, and it’s all about the butter.
This buffalo sauce is the most popular sauce on my website for good reason. It’s spicy, thick, and only takes 5 minutes to make!
I’ve tested this recipe more than 20 times to determine the best butter ratio to get you that creamy thickness you want in a buffalo wing sauce. Any more, and the sauce is too buttery, and any less, it doesn’t thicken up enough.
And my husband is from Buffalo, NY, so you know this sauce is good. I mean, really good.
Homemade Buffalo Sauce Ingredients
Buffalo sauce is made with a mixture of hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
The butter helps make the sauce super creamy and is irreplaceable in the recipe. It’s what really makes the sauce have the perfect flavor.
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
You can use another kind of hot sauce if you prefer something to Frank’s, but I personally recommend Frank’s Red Hot to get the best desired taste.
STEP TWO: Allow 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.
Buffalo Sauce Recipe Variations
Heat tolerance can vary per person, so it’s important to tailor this recipe to exactly what you want. To make the sauce spicier, simply double the cayenne pepper included.
If you prefer a milder version of this recipe, you can half the amount of cayenne pepper used. You can even omit it if you prefer. This will minimally affect the taste of the sauce and help you lower that spice level.
You can also use my mild buffalo sauce recipe instead.
How to thicken Buffalo Wing Sauce
This recipe will thicken while it sits in the fridge and comes out nice and thick when ready to use.
If you’re looking to thicken up the sauce quickly after making, just follow these simple steps:
- Heat up the buffalo sauce in a small saucepan or keep on heat.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon warm water in a small separate bowl to create a slurry mixture.
- Add the slurry mixture into the hot buffalo sauce, stir, and let cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The mixture of water and cornstarch will allow the buffalo sauce to thicken.
You can repeat this method until you reach the consistency you would like, being mindful it can take a few minutes on the heat for it to thicken fully.
How to make Buffalo Wing Sauce vegetarian
This recipe can be easily made vegetarian by swapping out normal Worcestershire sauce (it contains anchovies) for a vegan Worcestershire sauce.
You can also substitute the amount of Worcestershire sauce needed with half lemon juice, half soy sauce, and a small pinch of granulated sugar.
I do not recommend changing this specific recipe into a vegan variety as butter is a necessary ingredient to keep the creamy texture.
Storing Homemade Wing Sauce
This homemade buffalo sauce recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
I like to store mine inside a tightly sealed Mason Jar.
To use refrigerated buffalo sauce, remove from the fridge, stir sauce, and let it sit for 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thin up to the right consistency perfect for chicken wings.
Ways to use Homemade Buffalo Sauce
This recipe can be used as an easy dipping sauce for chicken tenders, cauliflower, and more. The sauce is also great as a chicken wing sauce.
Try using it with these recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- 5-Minute Buffalo Chicken Wrap
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wrap
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings
- Buffalo Chicken Thighs
- Easy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Yes! Most buffalo sauces, including this homemade thick buffalo sauce recipe is completely keto.
This specific recipe includes 0 carbohydrates, making it completely keto-friendly and perfect for a low-carb diet.
Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
A quick and easy homemade Buffalo sauce that can be made up to one month ahead of time. It's spicy and awesome with chicken wings.
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.
Notes
* to make vegetarian, substitute Worcestershire sauce out for a vegan Worcestershire or use half lemon juice, half soy sauce, and a small pinch of granulated sugar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 583mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
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!
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.
Wow! So so good… it’s my new go-to!!!
So glad you like it, Sam!