Buffalo sauce is an American staple usually served with chicken wings. It is similar to hot sauce in that it is spicy but it is richer and smoother thanks to the addition of butter.
For those of you who may be wondering if the name has anything to do with bison, rest assured that it does not. The name comes from a place in America – Buffalo, New York, where the sauce was created.
While buffalo sauce comes in mild, medium, and hot options, it can still be too spicy for some diners. Perhaps you want to serve it to children and were wondering how to dial down the spiciness.
It is helpful to know that the heat and spiciness come from the addition of cayenne pepper. Of course, if you make your own buffalo sauce at home, you have control over the amount of cayenne and therefore the spiciness.
Here are the main ingredients in a classic buffalo sauce:
- Hot pepper sauce
- Butter for smoothness and richness
- Vinegar for tanginess and to balance the richness
- Worcestershire sauce for umami and depth of flavor
- Garlic powder for flavor and bite
- Salt
If you want to make buffalo sauce less spicy, keep reading because we have some great ideas to help with that!
How to Make Buffalo Sauce Less Spicy
1. One way to manage the spiciness of the buffalo sauce is to increase the amount of butter . If you are working with ready-made buffalo sauce, simply whisk a little melted butter in before putting it into a serving jug.
2. The addition of a little extra acidity can help with spiciness. Try adding a little lemon juice or vinegar. Be careful, though as you don’t want to add too much. If it becomes a little sour, add a pinch or two of sugar.
3. Adding sweetness can also tone down the burn. Honey is a great option here as it will add to the flavor complexity. Again, don’t add too much to begin with, and taste as you go along.
4. Cream is wonderful for toning down excess heat in many dishes, including curries and hot sauces. It is the perfect addition to buffalo sauce that is too spicy as it won’t create any oiliness like too much butter will.
Choose a thin pouring cream. Adding cream will limit the life of your buffalo sauce so only make enough for one meal. Also, be careful not to boil the sauce if you are heating it as the cream may curdle.
Our recipe for Mild Buffalo Sauce
Here’s a simple but delicious mild buffalo sauce recipe. Guests or family members who prefer theirs spicier can simply add more hot sauce at the table.
Ingredients
- 80 ml butter
- 60 ml hot sauce
- 60 ml tomato ketchup
- 3 ml powdered garlic
- 3 ml brown grape vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 60 ml single cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Using a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and allow it to turn a soft golden color. Be careful not to burn it. Whisk in everything else. Turn the heat off as soon as the sauce begins to simmer to prevent it from separating. Serve with chicken wings.
To Conclude
As you can see, you have various options for making buffalo sauce less spicy. Our top pick is cream.
Alternatively, you could serve two different sauces with your chicken wings – one spicy for those who enjoy it and a creamy cheese sauce or sweet and sour Asian option for those who cannot tolerate spiciness.