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
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.
Hubby asked for Buffalo something recently, and for my first attempt I used this recipe. Upstate hubby who grew up eating LOTS of wings has approved. I tossed it with naked cauliflower and also naked wings. Baked both at 425. 30 min for wings and 20 min for cauliflower and finished by broiling for 3 minutes. Perfect! No need to experiment further… now added to the rotation.
Wow! So so good… it’s my new go-to!!!
So glad you like it, Sam!
Delicious hot sauce, just like in a restaurant! I highly recommend 😊
Hi Lisa, So glad you enjoyed it!