This homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe is a creamy and tangy sauce, which is made with unsalted butter and hot sauce. It’s the perfect sauce for wings, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Buffalo Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (8 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ⅓ cups hot sauce, like Frank’s or Crystal
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Buffalo Sauce Recipe
- Melt the butter: In a medium saucepan, gently melt the butter over low heat. It’s important to do this slowly to prevent the butter from separating, which keeps the sauce creamy.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the garlic powder, hot sauce, and optional honey until a smooth, cohesive sauce forms, which should take about 1 minute.
- Adjust and serve: Taste the sauce. If you want it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Use immediately or let it cool before storing.
Recipe Tips
- How to keep the sauce from breaking? The secret is low heat. Melt the butter gently and, most importantly, remove the pan from the heat before you whisk in the hot sauce. This prevents the emulsion from breaking and becoming oily.
- Can I use fresh garlic? Yes. For a fresher flavor, you can add 1 to 3 finely minced garlic cloves to the melting butter and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant before removing the pan from the heat.
- Can I make this vegan? Absolutely. To make a vegan buffalo sauce, simply substitute the unsalted butter with your favorite plant-based butter.
- What’s the best hot sauce to use? A classic, vinegar-based cayenne pepper sauce like Frank’s RedHot or Crystal is the traditional and best choice for an authentic buffalo sauce flavor.
What To Serve With Buffalo Sauce
This classic, tangy sauce is the perfect coating for a variety of foods.
- Classic Buffalo chicken wings or boneless tenders
- Drizzled over a crispy chicken sandwich or wrap
- As a sauce for a Buffalo chicken pizza or dip
- Tossed with roasted cauliflower, shrimp, or meatballs
How To Store Buffalo Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks. The sauce will solidify when chilled due to the butter; simply reheat it gently over low heat, whisking to combine, before using.
Buffalo Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 52
- Total Fat: 5.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6g
- Cholesterol: 15.3mg
- Sodium: 307.5mg
- Carbohydrate: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.1g
The nutrition facts provided are estimates.
FAQs
Hot sauce is typically just a combination of chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. Buffalo sauce is a richer, creamier sauce that starts with a hot sauce base and adds melted butter and other seasonings.
This happens if the butter gets too hot or if the hot sauce is added while the pan is still on the heat. The key to a smooth, emulsified sauce is gentle, low heat. If it separates while reheating, a vigorous whisk should bring it back together.
It is not recommended to freeze this sauce, as the butter-based emulsion can break and become grainy upon thawing.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Buffalo Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2.5
servings2
minutes3
minutes52
kcalA quick, easy, and perfectly creamy homemade buffalo sauce with a tangy, spicy kick, perfect for wings, dips, and more.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 ⅓ cups hot sauce (like Frank’s)
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
Directions
- Gently melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Whisk in the garlic powder, hot sauce, and optional honey until smooth.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat if desired.
- Use immediately or let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Melting the butter slowly over low heat is the most important step for a creamy, non-oily sauce.
- Always add the hot sauce off the heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
- The sauce will solidify in the fridge; reheat gently on the stove, whisking to re-emulsify.
- For the most authentic flavor, use a classic cayenne-vinegar hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot.
