How to make buffalo sauce without butter (recipe)
Buffalo wings are a popular choice for a spicy and flavorful snack. Traditional buffalo sauce typically includes a combination of hot sauce, butter, and sometimes a sweetener or thickener. But if you’re avoiding dairy for health or personal reasons, you might wonder how to make buffalo sauce without butter.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives you can use to create a delicious buffalo sauce without compromising on flavor or texture. Below, I’ll share different methods to make buffalo sauce without butter, including a recipe you can try.
You can also check out my low-sodium buffalo sauce recipe!
Easy no-butter spicy buffalo sauce (vegan, paleo, and keto-friendly!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Franks RedHot Original hot sauce
- 1/2 cup oil of choice we recommend olive, avocado, or coconut oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cayenne powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Add your hot sauce, lemon juice, and seasonings to a sauce pan and bring to a boil while stirring
- Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking vigorously
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-5 minutes while whisking continually
- Remove from the heat and toss with wings or cauliflower!
Notes
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Replace the butter in your recipe with vegan “butter”
If you have a favorite buffalo sauce recipe that usually calls for butter, you can make a simple substitution with vegan butter. Vegan butter is usually made from a blend of plant-based oils, such as coconut, olive, avocado, and palm kernel oil. These products are designed to mimic the taste and consistency of regular butter, making them a suitable replacement in most recipes, including buffalo sauce. You can swap the butter in your recipe with an equal amount of vegan butter to maintain the same rich and creamy texture.
Replace the butter with a different fat
Butter in buffalo sauce provides flavor, consistency, and richness. If you don’t want to use vegan butter, you can substitute it with another type of fat. This will alter the flavor of your sauce, so it’s important to choose a fat that you enjoy. Here are a few options you can try:
Bacon Grease: If you’re not avoiding animal products but just want to skip dairy, bacon grease can add a smoky, savory flavor to your buffalo sauce. This can make your wings even more indulgent.
Soybean Oil or Corn Oil: These oils have a neutral flavor, making them a good choice if you don’t want to change the taste of your buffalo sauce significantly. Use a 1:1 ratio to replace the butter in your recipe.
Olive Oil: Olive oil can add a slightly fruity flavor to your buffalo sauce, which can be a nice twist. It’s a healthier alternative to butter and works well in many recipes.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has a distinct flavor that pairs surprisingly well with buffalo sauce, especially if you enjoy a hint of tropical flavor. This option is particularly good if you want to experiment with different taste profiles.
How to make paleo-friendly buffalo sauce without butter
For those following a paleo diet, some people choose to include organic, grass-fed butter. However, if you’re avoiding dairy entirely, you can use paleo-friendly fats like bacon grease, duck fat, olive oil, lard, or avocado oil in place of butter. Most buffalo sauces use Frank’s RedHot Original as the base, which is generally considered Paleo and Whole 30-friendly despite being a processed food. Frank’s RedHot contains a simple list of ingredients: aged cayenne red peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder, making it a suitable choice for these diets.
While some people who follow a paleo diet consume organic grass-fed butter, others prefer not to consume dairy at all. You can swap out the butter in any buffalo sauce recipe for your favorite paleo-friendly fat: bacon grease, duck fat, olive oil, lard, avocado oil, or any other fat of your choice!
How to keep your buffalo sauce from separating
One common issue when making buffalo sauce without butter is keeping the sauce from separating. Oil and hot sauce don’t naturally blend well, so it’s important to emulsify them properly to achieve a smooth sauce that coats your wings evenly.
To do this, slowly add the fat to the hot sauce while whisking vigorously with a wire whisk. This method helps to combine the ingredients more thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use a blender to emulsify the sauce, ensuring that the fat and hot sauce are properly mixed and won’t separate when applied to your wings.
What ratio of fat to hot sauce in buffalo wings?
The ideal ratio for making buffalo sauce, whether you’re using melted butter or another liquid fat, is 1:2. This means you should use one part fat to two parts hot sauce. For example, if you’re using 1 cup of hot sauce, you would need 1/2 cup of fat. This ratio helps you achieve the right consistency for coating your wings while maintaining a good balance of flavor.
Making buffalo sauce without butter is entirely possible with a few simple adjustments. Whether you choose vegan butter, another type of fat, or a paleo-friendly alternative, you can create a delicious and dairy-free buffalo sauce that doesn’t compromise on taste. Remember to emulsify the ingredients properly to prevent separation, and stick to the recommended fat-to-hot-sauce ratio for the best results. This way, you can continue to enjoy the spicy, tangy flavor of buffalo wings while adhering to your dietary preferences.
