My Debut Cookbook 'Comfy' Is Out Now. ORDER HERE!
Simple Sauces/ Spice

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

July 21, 2019 (Last Updated: December 18, 2021) by Chris Collins

A homemade buffalo sauce truly couldn’t be easier to make. Some cupboard staples and a few spare minutes is all you need!

buffalo sauce in a small white pot with spoon in it and chives blurred in the background

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

The base of your buffalo sauce is going to be hot sauce. I highly recommend using Frank’s Original Hot Sauce. It’s got that classic taste – slightly tangy, very spicy and just all round addictive. You can use other hot sauces, but honestly i’ve never gone beyond Frank’s, so can’t guarantee the deliciousness.

From there, all you need is 5 other ingredients.

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

  1. Garlic Powder
  2. Hot Sauce
  3. Unsalted Butter
  4. Granulated Sugar
  5. Worcestershire Sauce

There are many recipes out there that just use a combination of hot sauce and butter, but I feel as though the additions of garlic powder, sugar and Worcestershire sauce do absolute wonders.

It’s important to use unsalted butter here. Salted butter differs so much from brand to brand, it’s better to start with a blank slate and adjust accordingly. I also find hot sauce already quite salty, so don’t feel like this recipe needs any more.

overhead shot of buffalo sauce ingredients with numbers 1-5 next to them

Easy Buffalo Sauce

When it comes to how to make buffalo sauce, it’s as simple as melting the butter and combining it with the other ingredients. However, it’s important to not let the butter split. You’re essentially trying to emulsify two liquids, so slow and steady really does win the race.

How to make Buffalo Sauce (quick summary)

  1. Add butter to a pan over low-medium heat.
  2. Allow to completely melt and just start to bubble.
  3. Pour in hot sauce, continuously stir and add in seasoning.
  4. Once fully blended, take off heat.
My number 1 tip when making buffalo sauce is to keep the heat low and continually stir. If you notice the sauce starts to split, immediately take the pan off the heat and keep stirring until it comes together.

How to make Buffalo Sauce - 4 step by step photos

How to store Buffalo Sauce?

Short answer – tightly covered in the fridge. It’ll last a long time, but will firm up (as there’s so much butter in it). So when it comes to using it again, take it out, pop what you need in the microwave until it relaxes again. If you find it still slightly too thick just add a splash of water.

How to use Buffalo Sauce?

Works great as a dip for things such as Fried Chicken, Avocado Fries and Potato Wedges. It’s also the sauce I use in my Buffalo Chicken Wraps and Buffalo Chicken Meatballs!

How to make it less spicy?

If you know you’re not good with spice, then alter the hot sauce : butter ratio. Secondly, consider adding another tsp of sugar to balance out the spice.

Okay, let’s stuck into this homemade buffalo sauce recipe shall we?!

dipping chicken meatball into small pot of buffalo sauce with chives blurred in background

How to make Buffalo Sauce (Full Recipe & Video)

buffalo sauce in a small white pot with spoon in it and chives blurred in the background

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

A homemade buffalo sauce truly couldn't be easier to make! Some cupboard staples and a few spare minutes is all you need.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Servings (click & slide): 1 cup
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 118kcal
Cost per serving: 10p / 10c

Equipment:

  • Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon or Whisk

Ingredients (check list):

  • 1/2 cup / 125ml Frank's Original Hot Sauce
  • 6 tbsp / 85g / 3oz Unsalted Butter
  • 2 tsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
  • few dashes of Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions:

  • Melt 6 tbsp butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat.
  • Pour in 1/2 cup / 125ml Hot Sauce and stir with a wooden spoon or a whisk.
  • Once combined, add 2 tsp sugar, 1/8 tsp garlic powder and a few dashes of Worcestershire Sauce.

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Spiciness - This still gives you a good kick of spice, but not anywhere near as spicy as straight hot sauce (hence all the butter). If it's still a little spicy then consider adding another tsp sugar to balance out the spice.
b) Low Heat - It's really important not to crank up the heat. Keep it at a low/medium heat throughout or the butter will split. If you see this happening then take off the heat and whisk to combine.
c) Storage - Cover and store in the fridge. It will thicken as it cools (from the butter) so when you use it again, pop it in the microwave before using. If it's still too thick then add a dash of water.
d) Calories - Based on 1/4 cup

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 118 Calories from Fat 106
% Daily Value*
Fat 11.79g18%
Saturated Fat 7.238g36%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.545g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.362g
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 194mg8%
Potassium 59mg2%
Carbohydrates 2.63g1%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 2.31g3%
Protein 1.08g2%
Vitamin A 829IU17%
Vitamin C 1.3mg2%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
Tried this recipe?Show me how you got on by tagging @dontgobaconmyheart_ on IG and #dontgobaconmyheart
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

If you loved this Buffalo Sauce Recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!

DINNERS

YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING

A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER

5 KNOCKOUT

Leave a Reply

Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  • Reply
    Lisa
    November 19, 2019 at 2:21 pm

    Love your recipes❤️ keep it up

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      November 19, 2019 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Lisa! 🙂

  • Reply
    Diana
    July 22, 2019 at 2:44 am

    5 stars
    We always make our own buffalo sauce at home, but I have never tried adding garlic powder or sugar. I’ll try that next time though, thank you for the idea!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

      No problem! Enjoy! 🙂

  • Reply
    Taylor Kiser
    July 22, 2019 at 1:21 am

    5 stars
    Homemade is always better! Definitely making this!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

      Enjoy 🙂

  • Reply
    Kiki Johnson
    July 22, 2019 at 12:42 am

    5 stars
    I would love this sauce for meatless Monday tomorrow – on a cauliflower or cabbage steak! I am sure it’s the perfect pairing with any grilled goods.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

      Yes! So good with cauliflower! 🙂

  • Reply
    Kelly Anthony
    July 21, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    5 stars
    I make buffalo sauce a lot but I’ve never thought to put worcestershire sauce. I’m going to give this a try this week when I make wings.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 22, 2019 at 11:26 am

      It makes all the difference! Enjoy 🙂

  • Reply
    Noel Lizotte
    July 21, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    Fire it up! Perfect way to dress up wings or meatballs … thanks for this sauce. I’ve got some potlucks coming up and plan to take this sauce as a side so people can use as much or as little as they like!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 22, 2019 at 11:26 am

      That’s awesome! Enjoy 🙂

    5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER