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
5 from 5 votes

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.
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
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Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon or Whisk

Ingredients 

  • 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.

Video

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

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.63g | Protein: 1.08g | Fat: 11.79g | Saturated Fat: 7.238g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.545g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.362g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2.31g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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!

Chris Collins, food blogger at Don't Go Bacon My Heart in white jumper eating a slice of garlic flatbread
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Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. Lisa says:

    Love your recipes❤️ keep it up

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks so much, Lisa! 🙂

  2. Diana says:

    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!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      No problem! Enjoy! 🙂

  3. Taylor Kiser says:

    5 stars
    Homemade is always better! Definitely making this!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Enjoy 🙂

  4. Kiki Johnson says:

    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.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Yes! So good with cauliflower! 🙂

  5. Kelly Anthony says:

    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.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      It makes all the difference! Enjoy 🙂

  6. Noel Lizotte says:

    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!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      That’s awesome! Enjoy 🙂