Garlic Buffalo Sauce Recipe: Zesty Homemade Wing & Dip Sauce

The Garlic Buffalo Sauce recipe below will have you cheering for Buffalo wings — or at least be very grateful they exist. While bottled sauces are convenient, homemade is far tastier and worth the extra five minutes.

Garlic Buffalo Sauce Recipe because homemade is infinitely better than store bought!

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

I usually walk right past the bottled Buffalo sauces at the grocery store. Making Buffalo sauce from scratch is simple, and the homemade version has a fuller, rounder garlic flavor instead of just heat and vinegar.

This Garlic Buffalo Sauce is easy to make and stays true to the classic Buffalo profile while adding bright garlic notes. It’s perfect for wings, chicken tenders, or vegetarian alternatives like cauliflower wings.

We also love it on grilled burgers—beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or veggie patties—and as a spread or dipping sauce for sandwiches and snacks.

Buffalo Wing Sauce

Buffalo sauce isn’t only for wings. It’s a versatile condiment that livens up game-day snacks and weeknight meals alike. Make a double batch and use it for dipping, brushing, or mixing into recipes like Buffalo chicken meatball subs, boneless wings, baked potatoes, sandwiches, or hot Buffalo chicken dip.

Buffalo sauce keeps well in the fridge and is a go-to for adding bold flavor to many dishes year-round. Let’s go Buffalo—both for sports and for sauce!

Garlic Buffalo Sauce Recipe because homemade is best!

What is Buffalo Sauce?

Buffalo sauce is a spicy, vinegary sauce typically tossed with chicken wings. It originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, where Frank’s RedHot and clarified butter were combined. This version keeps that familiar Frank’s flavor while adding garlic for extra depth.

Frank’s Buffalo Sauce

Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice and a big part of the traditional Buffalo taste. For the true Garlic Buffalo Sauce experience, use Frank’s RedHot if you can. If you prefer a different hot sauce you love, the recipe can work with that too, but the flavor will change.

Garlic Buffalo Sauce with chicken tenders in a blue plate.

Buffalo Sauce Recipe

You don’t need exotic ingredients to make this garlic Buffalo sauce—everything is easy to find at a basic grocery store. The method is straightforward and yields a smooth, garlicky sauce perfect for many uses.

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

Unsalted butter
Frank’s RedHot sauce
Whole garlic cloves
Apple cider vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Ground cayenne pepper

If you prefer a milder or hotter sauce, adjust the butter and hot sauce ratios (see recipe notes). Important: use unsalted butter. Frank’s RedHot already provides salt, and using salted butter can make the finished sauce too salty, especially if you bake or cook with it further.

Three ingredients are all it takes to make the most incredibly flavourful Creamy Buffalo Chicken for the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker.

How to make Buffalo Sauce

The basic tools are a whisk, a saucepan, and a jar for storage. A stick blender or regular blender makes the sauce smoother but isn’t required—mashed garlic will work for a rustic result.

Melt the butter with whole garlic cloves over low heat and let them bubble gently until the garlic is very tender, about 10 minutes. Avoid browning the butter or garlic.
Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 2 minutes while whisking constantly.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth with a stick blender or regular blender. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate. The sauce may separate as it cools—whisk before using.

Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a month. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it. Mason jars are ideal for storage because they don’t stain or hold odors and pour neatly.

Buffalo Garlic Knots: tender, three bite sized spicy Buffalo Garlic Knots from foodiewithfamily.com

Garlic Buffalo Sauce Recipe

This is a classic, garlicky Buffalo wing sauce that works on everything from chicken to cauliflower wings. Follow the ingredients and instructions for best results.

Melt the butter with the garlic cloves over low heat until the cloves are very tender, about 10 minutes, taking care not to brown them. Whisk the remaining ingredients together in a saucepan, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat, cool for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate; whisk before using if it separates.

Garlic Buffalo Sauce Recipe

Rebecca Lindamood

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Homemade Garlic Buffalo Sauce has a robust garlic flavor and is easy to make. When a simple process yields delicious results, making your own sauce is a no-brainer.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 cups Frank’s RedHot
10 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Instructions

Melt the butter with the garlic cloves over low heat. Let the mixture bubble gently until the garlic cloves become tender, about 10 minutes. Take care not to brown the butter or garlic.
Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth with a stick blender or regular blender. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate. Whisk before using if it separates.

Notes

For MILD Garlic Buffalo Sauce: use 1 2/3 cups butter and 2/3 cup Frank’s RedHot. For MEDIUM: 1 1/3 cups butter and 1 cup Frank’s RedHot. For EXTRA SPICY: 2/3 cup butter and 1 2/3 cups Frank’s RedHot.