Super Bowl LX is right around the corner, and Buffalo wings are sure to fly off the plate on game day. Grocery store aisles aren’t short on bottled Buffalo sauces, but which ones are actually worth buying for the big game and beyond? To find out, we tasted eight popular store-bought Buffalo sauces side by side.
How we selected the Buffalo sauces
We selected eight of the most popular bottled Buffalo sauces available nationwide. To keep the playing field level, we focused on classic, original-style Buffalo sauces. When a brand didn’t specify a heat level, we chose medium. We also excluded any Buffalo sauces with added flavors (like Buffalo garlic or Buffalo ranch), as well as specialty formulas such as dairy-free versions and those made with avocado oil.
How we tested
For fairness, our taste tests are brand-concealed. Initially, we considered trying the sauces on cooked wings, but ultimately decided to taste each sauce plain to best evaluate its flavor.
Before the test, we set flavor and texture criteria for our ideal Buffalo sauce. Traditional Buffalo sauce starts with hot sauce — often cayenne-based — mixed with melted butter, though some recipes add seasonings like garlic or onion powder. In bottled versions, the fat isn’t always butter; some brands use neutral oils, such as canola oil, instead. We wanted a Buffalo sauce with a balance of vinegar-driven sharpness and tang with bright heat that was noticeable, but not overpowering. Texture-wise, we wanted a sauce that was more viscous than watery hot sauce (think Tabasco), but not one that eats like a creamy dressing. A good Buffalo sauce should feel velvety on the palate and glossy in texture without being greasy.
Five F&W editors participated, rating each sauce’s flavor and texture on a scale of one to five. They also gave each sauce an overall score based on personal preference and how likely they’d be to buy it and recommend it to others.
We averaged the scores, and while there were plenty of hot takes, the three sauces below took home the win.
Best overall: Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce
Food & Wine / The French’s Food Company LLC.
Frank’s was by far the most crowd-pleasing among our group. Its formula leans on distilled vinegar and aged cayenne peppers, salt, and garlic powder. Editors loved the tangy punch in this sauce that was sharp but not harsh, even when eaten straight from the bottle. The cayenne’s piquancy still let through subtle, nuanced fruity notes.
“Tastes classic to me, sharp and spice-forward without being overwhelming,” said Senior Photo Editor Dan Bailey. Despite not using real butter (the fat comes from a blend of canola oil and “natural butter type flavor”) it didn’t taste artificial. It had a silky, not slick or greasy, consistency and poured easily from the bottle.
This is an all-purpose pick: a natural fit for wings, but just as good stirred into chicken salad or folded into deviled egg filling for an extra kick.
Best for spice lovers: Texas Pete Original Buffalo Sauce
Food & Wine / Texas Pete
Texas Pete trailed Frank’s by just a single point once we averaged the scores. Despite its name, the sauce traces its roots to North Carolina. By 1946, the company behind Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce had expanded into other sauces, including this wing sauce.
Right from the jump, this one packed a stronger spice wallop than Frank’s, with a heat level that was similar to the company’s Original Hot Sauce. Despite being more pepper-forward, the sauce’s heat built gradually, and we noted a fruitiness that kept it bright and was balanced by the vinegar’s acidity.
“This is the taste of Buffalo sauce in my head,” said F&W Recipe Tester Anna Theoktisto.
It was also the thinnest of the Buffalo sauces we tried, making it better for tossing wings in a bowl than brushing onto the grill. Beyond wings, try drizzling it over popcorn or swirling it into soup for an extra kick.
Best for sweet sauce lovers: Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Sauce
Food & Wine / Buffalo Wild Wings, INC.
There were mixed reviews of the popular restaurant chain’s sauce. Some editors praised its balanced seasoning and mild, garlicky undertones, while others found it a touch sweet. The sauce contains corn syrup, molasses, and sugar — and, most notably, an egg yolk that contributes to its richness and viscosity. As the creamiest sauce in the bunch and the mildest in heat, it’s a solid pick for anyone sensitive to spice. “My kids would enjoy this one because it isn’t too hot,” noted Managing Editor Caitlin Miller. Use it as a base for savory Parmesan wings, burger spreads, or a hearty Buffalo dip with all the fixings.
The full list of contenders, ranked from highest to lowest
Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Hot SauceTexas Pete Original Buffalo SauceBuffalo Wild Wings Medium SauceKinder’s Buttery Buffalo Wing Sauce & DipSweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Wing Wing SauceChick-fil-A Zesty Buffalo SauceGreat Value Medium Wing SauceMoore’s Wing Sauce Original Buffalo
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