The Best Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe – Two Ingredients
Feb 08, 2024, Updated Feb 06, 2025
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This Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe is simple, containing only two ingredients. It’s a nod to the original wing sauce recipe from Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. This homemade sauce has a little bit of a spicy kick but we qualify this as a mild Buffalo wing sauce recipe. It’s perfect for Grilled Buffalo Wings or Smoked Buffalo Wings.
You cannot talk about a true Buffalo wing sauce recipe without a nod to the original, Anchor Bar (OK and Duffs). And for it to be authentic to the original recipe you need to use Frank’s RedHot hot sauce. Not the wing sauce version, the original hot sauce. We use this base sauce in so many recipes like our Grilled Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Breast and our Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Buffalo Wing Sauce
- Hot Sauce – Did we mention you need Frank’s RedHot? PS for those other recipe creators, please be sure you spell it correctly. It’s not Frank’s Red Hot sauce, or Frank’s sauce. It’s Frank’s RedHot hot sauce. You’re welcome. You can find this at any grocery store in the nation. Pro-Tip – If you want to scale up then go to your local restaurant supply store for the 1-liter version of the sauce. It lasts for a while.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is preferred given the flavor of the hot sauce.
- Chicken Wings – Obviously you want sauce with wings.
Note: We don’t add Worcestershire sauce, we don’t add Tabasco, we don’t add anything else. No garlic powder, no lemon juice, no salt, no brown sugar. It’s just Frank’s RedHot and butter. The secret ingredient is the hot sauce. If you want to make it spicier, then go ahead and give it a touch of cayenne pepper. That’s it. This is coming from an upstate NY native.
Preparation
There isn’t much prep. You simply want a medium saucepan. And pre-measure out your hot sauce and your butter. For portioning, you want one serving of this sauce for every two pounds of wings.
How To Make Buffalo Wing Sauce
The goal is a buttery hot sauce flavor but not so much butter that it mellows the flavor.
- In the medium saucepan over medium heat combine Frank’s RedHot and the melted butter. As the pan warms, stir the butter to incorporate. When the butter is completely melted the sauce should barely be at a simmer. Do NOT let it come to a boil!
- Remove from heat and then use to flavor your wings. Did we mention to let it boil?
- If making classic Buffalo hot wings take half of the sauce and toss with the finished chicken wings in a large bowl. Reserve the other half for dipping.
Be sure you are serving with a side of carrot and celery sticks, and of course our recipe for Buttermilk Ranch Dressing or creamy blue cheese dip (which are the only official dipping sauce options depending on which coast you live on).
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You do not want your sauce to come to a boil or the sauce will break and separate. Be sure you are monitoring and adjusting the heat as appropriate. Continue to stir together and the fat from the butter will emulsify with the sauce.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This sauce is a medium-style wing sauce with a slightly spicy finish if compared to what you would find at a wing restaurant scale. If you want it spicier then you can add a pinch of cayenne, a little bit at a time, until you get to your preferred heat level.
If you are sensitive to heat then the best way to make this milder is to use equal amounts of butter and hot sauce.
The butter adds a creamier texture and also offsets the vinegar flavor for a balanced bite.
Be sure that you put the sauce on after the wings are done cooking in your preferred style.
Make Ahead and Storage
This is perfect to make in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 30 days. The white vinegar base of the wing sauce will hold it in the refrigerator.
You can allow to come to room temperature when you want to use it. It will warm up as soon as you mix it with hot wings. You can even use it as a base for Buffalo Chicken Pizza our our weekday favorite Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.
Buffalo Wing Sauce Inspired recipes
Salad Recipes
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
BBQ Chicken Recipes
Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip
BBQ Chicken Recipes
Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip
Food Recipes
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sliders
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Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium size saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Frank's RedHot hot sauce, (Don't comment on flavors unless you use Frank's)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Melt: In the medium saucepan over medium heat combine Frank’s RedHot and the melted butter. As the pan warms, stir the butter to incorporate. When the butter is completely melted the sauce should barely be at a simmer. Do NOT let it come to a boil!
- Flavor: Remove from heat and then use to flavor your wings.
- Serve: If making classic Buffalo hot wings take half of the sauce and toss with the finished wings in a large bowl. Reserve the other half for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is such an easy Buffalo wing sauce with all the classic flavor of Anchor Bar. Be sure not to let it come to a boil and stir often. You can modify flavor with things like hot honey.