Can you use Frank’s red hot sauce instead of Buffalo sauce?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can use Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce instead of traditional Buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot was the original hot sauce used to create the classic Buffalo wing sauce. While Frank’s RedHot on its own is not considered a Buffalo sauce, it’s commonly used as the base for making homemade Buffalo sauce. Simply mix Frank’s RedHot with butter or margarine to create a quick buffalo sauce substitute. The key is using approximately a 1:1 ratio of hot sauce to butter. This replicates the flavor profile and thickness of traditional Buffalo sauce.

Ingredients in Frank’s RedHot vs. Buffalo Sauce

Frank’s RedHot Cayenne Pepper Sauce contains aged cayenne red peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder. It has an iconic hot, tangy flavor with medium heat level.

Traditional Buffalo sauce contains cayenne pepper hot sauce, butter or margarine, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Frank’s RedHot makes up the hot sauce component. The butter mellows out the heat and gives Buffalo sauce its rich, creamy texture.

So Frank’s RedHot has a similar ingredient list to Buffalo sauce without the butter or extra seasonings. Adding butter and perhaps a splash of vinegar or Worcestershire sauce can help make it more reminiscent of Buffalo flavor.

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce

Frank’s RedHot also offers a Buffalo wings sauce product. It contains the signature Frank’s RedHot cayenne pepper sauce blended with butter, garlic, and spices. So it’s essentially a pre-made Buffalo sauce using Frank’s hot sauce as the base.

The wings sauce has a thicker, creamier texture and more robust Buffalo flavor compared to the original hot sauce. If you have this handy, it can be used in place of from-scratch Buffalo sauce in any recipe.

How to Make Buffalo Sauce with Frank’s RedHot

It’s easy to whip up homemade Buffalo sauce using Frank’s RedHot. Here are two simple methods:

Microwave Buffalo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Optional: 1 tsp white vinegar or Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Whisk together until smooth.
3. Brush on wings or toss with fried foods to coat.

Stovetop Buffalo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion powder and cook 1 minute.
2. Stir in hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Use immediately or let cool and refrigerate for later use. Keeps about 2 weeks chilled.

Best Uses for Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce

Here are some of the tastiest ways to use DIY Buffalo sauce made with Frank’s RedHot:

• Toss with fried chicken wings or chicken tenders
• Use as a dip for fried foods like mozzarella sticks or French fries
• Drizzle on wraps, sandwiches, burgers, or hot dogs
• Toss with fried shrimp or cauliflower “wings”
• Use as a spicy marinade or grilling sauce for chicken, pork, or fish
• Mix into blue cheese or ranch dressing as a veggie dip
• Stir into macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, or potato salad
• Top nachos, chili, baked potatoes, or tater tots

Tips for Adjusting Spice Level

Frank’s RedHot has a medium heat level, rating around 450 Scoville units. Traditional Buffalo sauce is moderately spicy too.

Here are some tips for adjusting the spice level of your homemade Buffalo sauce:

• For milder heat, use less hot sauce or more butter/margarine.
• For extra spicy kick, add a few dashes of cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce.
• Mix in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar to temper the heat.
• Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half for a creamier, milder sauce.
• For less vinegar bite, use all butter instead of half butter, half vinegar.

Customize it to your desired level of heat and tanginess.

Conclusion

Frank’s RedHot Cayenne Pepper Sauce makes an quick, easy substitute for traditional Buffalo sauce. Simply blend the iconic pepper sauce with an equal amount of melted butter or margarine. Then toss it with fried foods like wings, shrimp, and veggies for that classic addictive Buffalo flavor. Adjust the hot sauce to butter ratio to suit your preferred spice level. So don’t worry if you’re out of Buffalo sauce – Frank’s RedHot saves the day!