Do you love the tangy, spicy flavor of buffalo wings but want to avoid the heat of hot sauce? You’re not alone. Many wing lovers crave that iconic buffalo flavor without the blow-your-head-off spiciness. But don’t worry – you can absolutely make buffalo sauce at home without hot sauce.

In this post, I’ll share an easy recipe for homemade buffalo sauce using ingredients you likely have in your pantry and fridge right now. You’ll be shocked by how simple it is to make your own flavor-packed buffalo sauce without the overpowering heat of hot sauce.

This easy 6-ingredient buffalo sauce recipe delivers the tangy zip you love, along with a mild kick from cayenne pepper you can adjust to your taste. Melted butter, garlic powder, vinegar, and seasonings combine to recreate that classic buffalo flavor you can pour over wings or dip crispy fried cauliflower in guilt-free.

You’ll never need to buy bottled buffalo sauce again after you whip up a batch of this easy homemade version. Let’s get saucy!

No More Tears! Enjoy Buffalo Sauce Without the Burn

Before we get to the easy recipe, let’s talk about why making your own buffalo sauce without hot sauce is so game-changing:

You Control the Heat Level – Store-bought hot sauces can sometimes overwhelm your tastebuds with spice. By making homemade buffalo sauce, you control exactly how much or how little kick you want by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper.

It’s Fully Customizable – Don’t like a certain ingredient or want to tweak the flavor? You can easily substitute or leave out anything in this basic recipe. Make it your own!

Way Cheaper – A bottle of Frank’s RedHot or other hot sauce costs $3-5. But with simple homemade buffalo sauce you already have most, if not all, the ingredients you need.

No Preservatives or Unwanted Ingredients – Homemade lets you avoid the artificial colors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and other unwanted additives often found in bottled sauces.

The Easiest 6-Ingredient Buffalo Sauce Recipe

Now let’s get to the good stuff – how to actually make simple, homemade buffalo sauce without hot sauce that’s loaded with flavor.

The base of real-deal buffalo sauce is butter. And not just any butter – you need unsalted butter for the best flavor. Salted butter would make the sauce overly salty.

Here’s the easy 6-ingredient recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar

That’s it! Told you this was simple.

Now let’s go over the quick method for putting it all together:

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Add the cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and salt to the melted butter. Stir to combine.
3. Add the white vinegar to the saucepan and stir to combine.
4. Cook the sauce over low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly before using.

And your homemade buffalo sauce without hot sauce is ready!

The white vinegar adds the signature tangy zip of buffalo flavor. Cayenne pepper provides just enough heat that you control. And salt balances out the flavors.

Customize It! More Flavor Ideas for Your Buffalo Sauce:

Part of the fun of homemade buffalo sauce is experimenting with different flavors. Try adding any of these ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey for extra sweetness
• 1-2 cloves minced garlic for more zing
• 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika instead of regular
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a touch more heat
• 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• Dash of ground black pepper

The possibilities are endless for crafting your own signature buffalo sauce at home!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Buffalo Sauce

I know you probably have some questions about making and using homemade buffalo sauce without hot sauce. Here are some of the most common FAQs:

How long does homemade buffalo sauce last in the fridge?

Your homemade sauce will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Can I make buffalo sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! Store it in the fridge and reheat slowly over low heat when ready to use.

What’s the best way to reheat buffalo sauce?

Add it to a saucepan over low heat. Warm it slowly, stirring frequently, until heated through.

How spicy will this recipe be?

The amount of cayenne pepper in this recipe makes for a mild buffalo sauce. But you can adjust the spiciness up or down by using more or less cayenne to suit your tastes.

What are the best foods to dip in buffalo sauce?

Classic choices are fried chicken wings and tenders, french fries, mozzarella sticks, and veggies. Try broccoli florets, cauliflower, celery sticks, or zucchini fries too.

Can I use this buffalo sauce as a salad dressing?

You sure can! Drizzle it over lettuce or use it to dress coleslaw.

What oil should I fry foods in before dipping in the buffalo sauce?

Opt for a neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola, vegetable, peanut or avocado oil.

Satisfy Your Buffalo Wing Cravings Without the Heat

I hope this easy homemade buffalo sauce recipe without hot sauce gets your tastebuds fired up! With just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand, you can whip up a flavorful, creamy buffalo sauce with the perfect amount of zing and spice.

No more agony over bottled hot sauces that scorch your mouth. Now you can dip and drizzle to your heart’s content with your own custom buffalo sauce creation.

Be sure to pin or bookmark this recipe for whenever that buffalo wing craving strikes. And don’t be afraid to play around with different additions and personalize it.

Let me know if you try making this easy 4-ingredient buffalo sauce at home. I’d love to hear your tweaks and additions. Enjoy getting your buffalo fix without the burn!