How to Make Buffalo Sauce

There are several different claims about how and when buffalo sauce was invented.[1] Regardless of its roots, since its conception, the spicy sauce has become a standard part of appetizer menus in restaurants across America.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (118ml) hot sauce of choice
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup (78 to 118ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. (8.1g) chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. (0.6g) smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. (1.2g) sweet paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. (1.5g) salt
  • 1/2 tsp. (1.2g) onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. (1.3g) cayenne powder
  • 1/2 tsp. (2.4ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp. (8g) cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp. (2.5ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. (0.3g) garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. (3g) celery salt
  • 4 tbsp. (59ml) unsalted butter
  • Wings/other food for serving
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Mixing the Ingredients

  1. 1
    Choose your favorite southern-style hot pepper sauce. Favorites include Fred's, Tabasco and Crystal. Consider the meal you are going to be using the buffalo sauce for, such as buffalo chicken wings, as a dipping sauce for a burger or sandwich, or as an ingredient to spice up a salad dressing.
    • You will need at least 1/2 cup (118ml) of the hot sauce.
  2. 2
    Place 1/2 cup of the hot sauce in a bowl. Make sure the bowl is also big enough to fit the rest of your ingredients.
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  3. 3
    Whisk together the hot sauce and the rice vinegar. Continue to whisk the ingredients until they are just combined.[2]
    • Add the chili powder, the smoked paprika, the sweet paprika, the salt, the onion powder and the cayenne powder.
    • Mix in the honey and the cornstarch.
    • Add in the Worcestershire sauce.
  4. 4
    Add the last two spices. Throw in the garlic powder and the celery salt.
    • If you’d like a different taste, add in other spices such as 1/4 tsp. (0.6g) of oregano and/or white pepper. Some recipes even call for a dash of beer.[3]
    • For a sweeter sauce, you can add 4 tbsp. (47g) of brown sugar.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Making the Buffalo Sauce

  1. 1
    Heat a saucepan on medium high heat. Use a pot that can hold all of your hot sauce and other ingredients.
  2. 2
    Place the unsalted butter in the heated saucepan. Allow it to melt.
  3. 3
    Add the bowl of hot sauce and spices. Mix the butter and the other ingredients thoroughly with a whisk or a wooden spoon.
  4. 4
    Bring the contents of the saucepan to a low boil.
  5. 5
    Turn the heat to low. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. 6
    Pour the reduced sauce over your wings, or other food. Toss to coat. Serve immediately.
    • Store extra buffalo sauce in an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator and be sure to use it within 2 weeks.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What makes buffalo sauce spicy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The hot sauce, chili powder, and cayenne powder make the sauce spicy.
  • Question
    Can I make a salt and vinegar flavor? How do I make that?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you certainly can. Mix a bit of vinegar and salt till it is as salty as it is pungent. Soak carrots till the color is soaked into the liquid and then add it to the sauce.
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Things You'll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Hot sauce of choice
  • Unsalted butter
  • Chili powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Sweet paprika
  • Salt
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne powder
  • Honey
  • Cornstarch
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Celery salt
  • Beer (optional)
  • Brown sugar (optional)
  • Wings/other food for serving


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References

  1. ↑ http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1920434,00.html
  2. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-wing-sauce/
  3. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sierras-grandmas-secret-buffalo-wing-sauce-recipe.html
  4. http://domesticfits.com/2012/01/27/homemade-buffalo-wing-sauce/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 339,938 times.
6 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: May 6, 2021
Views: 339,938
Categories: Sauces
Article SummaryX

To make buffalo sauce, start by putting 1/2 a cup of your favorite southern-style hot pepper sauce in a bowl. Use a whisk to mix in the rice vinegar, then add the chili powder, both the smoked and sweet paprika, the salt, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Next, whisk in the honey and cornstarch, and then the Worcestershire sauce. Add the garlic powder and celery salt last. Melt the butter in a medium-hot pan, then add your sauce, bringing it to a low boil. Finally, lower the heat and simmer your sauce for 10 minutes before serving. For tips on how to store your homemade buffalo sauce, scroll down!

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