Buffalo sauce is a spicy, vinegar-based hot sauce that has become popular across the United States and beyond. It’s most commonly used as a wing sauce, to give chicken wings a spicy, tangy kick. But it can also be used as a condiment or ingredient in a variety of other dishes. So what exactly does Buffalo sauce taste like?
The Origins of Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo sauce was invented in Buffalo, New York in 1964. The owner of the Anchor Bar, Teressa Bellissimo, needed to quickly come up with something to serve to late-night customers. She decided to deep fry some chicken wings and toss them in a spicy hot sauce made with butter and cayenne pepper hot sauce. The resulting dish was sticky, fiery, and delicious. It became an instant hit at the Anchor Bar and soon spread across Buffalo and beyond. Almost 60 years later, Buffalo sauce is popular all across the country and has become a staple condiment in many restaurants and homes.
Ingredients in Buffalo Sauce
While recipes can vary, most Buffalo sauce contains just a few key ingredients:
- Hot sauce – Typically a cayenne pepper hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot. The hot sauce provides the signature spicy flavor.
- Butter – Butter helps balance out the spice of the hot sauce and gives Buffalo sauce its rich, creamy texture.
- Vinegar – Often white vinegar or cider vinegar. Vinegar adds tanginess and acidity.
- Garlic powder – For additional flavor.
- Onion powder – For a savory, oniony taste.
- Salt and pepper – To season.
The exact proportions vary, but classic Buffalo sauce is made by combining 2 parts hot sauce to 1 part butter. The vinegar and seasonings are added to taste. This simple, straightforward ingredient list is part of what has made Buffalo sauce such an enduring and versatile condiment.
The Taste and Flavor Profile
So what does all of this translate to in terms of actual flavor? Here’s a breakdown of the main taste sensations in Buffalo sauce:
Spicy
The cayenne pepper hot sauce gives Buffalo sauce its signature spicy kick. It provides a building, fiery heat that hits your tongue immediately. While it varies by recipe, for the most authentic experience, the sauce should be quite spicy and cause a noticeable warming sensation in your mouth.
Tangy
The vinegar in Buffalo sauce gives it a bright, tangy flavor. You get a tart, acidic taste, similar to a vinaigrette dressing. This helps cut through the rich creaminess and mellow the spiciness.
Buttery
Melted butter is a key ingredient in Buffalo sauce. This gives it a rich, decadent, creamy mouthfeel and flavor. You get hints of roasted, buttery flavor. The fat in the butter also helps mitigate the spice.
Savory
With additions like garlic powder and onion powder, Buffalo sauce has an underlying savory, umami taste. These seasonings give it a more complex flavor profile beyond just spicy and tangy.
Sweet
While not all Buffalo sauce recipes contain sugar, some call for a small amount of brown sugar or honey. This gives the sauce a hint of sweetness to help balance the other bold flavors. But sweetness should be subdued, as the other tastes take center stage.
Saltiness
Like most sauces and condiments, Buffalo sauce tastes best when properly seasoned with salt. A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors. This gives it a more well-rounded, appealing taste.
Heat and Scoville Units
The spiciness or heat level of Buffalo sauce depends on the type of hot sauce used and the quantity. To measure the heat intensity of chili peppers and hot sauces, the Scoville scale is used. The scale calculates the concentration of capsaicin, the compound that gives chilies their spice. Here are Scoville heat units for common Buffalo sauce ingredients:
| Ingredient | Scoville Heat Units |
|---|---|
| Jalapeño Peppers | 2,500 – 8,000 |
| Cayenne Pepper | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Frank’s RedHot Sauce | 450 |
| Tabasco Sauce | 2,500 – 5,000 |
As you can see, cayenne on its own is quite hot, while Frank’s RedHot is relatively mild. Adjusting the quantities of different peppers allows cooks to control the heat level in Buffalo sauce. Many Buffalo wing fans enjoy sauces ranging from mild to very spicy to suit their personal tastes.
How to Make Authentic Buffalo Sauce
To get that classic Buffalo sauce flavor, use this basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is traditional)
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1-2 tablespoons white vinegar or cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it bubble but don’t let it burn.
- Add the hot sauce and whisk to combine thoroughly with the melted butter.
- Stir in the vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder and a pinch of salt & pepper.
- Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly before tossing with wings or using as a condiment.
Store leftover Buffalo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serving Suggestions
Of course, Buffalo sauce is most famously used as a wing sauce – just ask for extra napkins! But here are some other tasty ways to enjoy it:
As a Dip
Use it as a dip for chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, french fries, tater tots or veggie sticks.
In Burgers or Sliders
Add a splash of Buffalo sauce to mayo or aioli to spread on burgers. Or brush burger buns with it.
In Meatballs
For next-level flavor, mix a few tablespoons of Buffalo sauce into the ground meat before making meatballs.
As a Salad Topper
Toss crispy chopped chicken with Buffalo sauce, mix it in a salad for a buffalo chicken salad.
In Mac and Cheese
Stir in Buffalo sauce when making macaroni and cheese. Top with extra crumbled blue cheese or ranch dressing.
In Quesadillas
Spread Buffalo sauce inside quesadillas along with shredded chicken, cheese and veggies.
In Chili
Add dashes of Buffalo sauce to a pot of chili for extra heat and tang.
On Pizza
Use it as a spicy drizzle on pizza. Or mix into the pizza sauce itself.
Is Buffalo Sauce Good for You?
While it’s not exactly a “health food”, Buffalo sauce has some nutritional aspects going for it:
- It contains capsaicin from hot peppers which may have anti-inflammatory properties.
- The vinegar used has acetic acid that can help balance blood sugar.
- Cayenne peppers contain antioxidants like vitamin A.
- It adds lots of flavor without extra calories, carbs, fat or sodium if using Frank’s RedHot original sauce.
Of course, it’s still wise to enjoy Buffalo sauce in moderation. And be sure to pair it with healthy foods like fresh veggies or lean protein instead of deep fried foods or starchy sides.
Where to Buy Buffalo Sauce
There are many brands of Buffalo wing sauce available at grocery stores. Some popular options include:
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce – The original, considered authentic buffalo sauce.
- Tessemae’s Buffalo Hot Sauce – Organic, gluten-free choice.
- Trader Joe’s Chili Pepper Hot Sauce – Budget friendly option.
- Louisiana Hot Sauce – Aged Cayenne Pepper Sauce – More Louisiana-style flavor.
You can find these in the hot sauce aisle at stores like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and more. Buffalo sauces made by wing chains like Buffalo Wild Wings are also bottled for sale. And it’s easy to make your own using just a few simple ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo sauce just hot sauce and butter?
The classic Buffalo wing sauce recipe is a mixture of hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) and melted butter. Many recipes also include vinegar for tanginess and seasonings like garlic powder. But the two core ingredients are hot sauce and butter.
What kind of hot sauce is used in Buffalo sauce?
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is the hot sauce typically used in authentic Buffalo sauce. It provides a nice spicy kick but isn’t extremely hot. Other hot sauces can work too. Avoid ones with a smoky or garlicky flavor.
Is Buffalo sauce supposed to be sweet?
Buffalo sauce shouldn’t be overly sweet. It gets just a hint of sweetness from butter. Some recipes add a small amount of sugar or honey, but sweet flavor isn’t central. Spicy, tangy and buttery tastes take precedence.
Can I use bottled Buffalo sauce for wings?
Absolutely. Many brands like Frank’s sell ready-made bottled Buffalo wing sauce that can simply be tossed with cooked wings for easy Buffalo wings at home. It provides the classic flavor.
What’s the difference between Buffalo sauce and hot wing sauce?
Buffalo sauce and hot wing sauce are essentially the same thing. They both typically contain hot pepper sauce, butter and vinegar. “Buffalo” sauce sometimes implies a more traditional recipe specifically from the Buffalo, NY area. But in most cases, the terms are used interchangeably.
Conclusion
With its addictive mix of spicy, buttery, tangy flavors, it’s no wonder Buffalo sauce has become a popular staple sauce. It has just the right balance of heat, acidity, saltiness, and sweetness to keep you coming back for more. Keep a bottle on hand for elevating proteins like chicken or beef, adding heat to dips, or drizzling on top of your favorite dishes. Just be prepared to have lots of napkins handy when enjoying Buffalo sauce – things are bound to get deliciously messy!