This Vegan Buffalo Sauce is quick, easy, and full of flavor, and you can have it ready in just 10 minutes. It's spicy, tangy, and buttery, made with hot sauce, vegan butter, and a few simple seasonings. I use it all the time for Vegan Buffalo Wings, but it's also great on roasted veggies, sandwiches, or anything that could use a little heat.
Traditional buffalo sauce is made with hot sauce and butter, and to make it vegan, I simply swap the butter for vegan butter while keeping the same classic flavor and method. The key is heating it gently and removing it from the heat as soon as it starts bubbling around the edges, which helps the sauce stay smooth and well combined.
This sauce is best used warm and freshly made, but it reheats really well if you have leftovers. I usually toss it with Vegan Buffalo Wings (recipe coming soon!) right before serving, but it's also great brushed over Baked Tofu or Air Fryer Tofu, drizzled on roasted veggies, or used as a spicy sandwich sauce. It's easy to adjust depending on how spicy or tangy you like it, which makes it a recipe I come back to often.
If you like serving buffalo-style dishes with extra sauces on the side, this one pairs really well with other creamy options. Try it alongside my Vegan Ranch Dressing, Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing, or a simple Vegan Aioli for dipping and balancing out the heat. These sauces are great for mixing and matching, especially when serving tofu wings, veggies, or other party-style dishes.
Vegan Buffalo Sauce Ingredients
- Hot pepper sauce: Frank's RedHot is the classic choice for buffalo sauce.
You can use another cayenne-based hot sauce, but the flavor and heat level may vary. - Vegan butter: Use a good-quality vegan butter for the best flavor and texture. Stick-style butter works best. You can use store-bought or Homemade Vegan Butter.
- White vinegar: Adds brightness and balances the richness of the sauce. You can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar if needed.
- Worcestershire sauce: Make sure it's vegan. It adds depth and umami to the sauce. If you want to make it from scratch, you can use my Homemade Vegan Worcestershire Sauce, which is ready in under 10 minutes.
- Cayenne pepper: Boosts the heat. Reduce the amount or skip it if your hot sauce is already very spicy.
- Garlic powder: Adds a mild garlic flavor without taking over. It works better than fresh garlic in this sauce.
- Salt: Adjust to taste. Keep in mind that hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce already contain salt.
Find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Vegan Buffalo Sauce
- Add all the ingredients to a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, whisking as the butter melts and everything comes together.
- When small bubbles start forming around the edges, remove from the heat and whisk until smooth.
- Let it cool slightly, then transfer to a jar and use as needed.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store the buffalo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: This sauce can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To reheat: Reheat gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, to help it stay smooth.
How to Use This Sauce
Use this buffalo sauce warm for the best flavor and texture. It's perfect for tossing with Vegan Buffalo Wings (recipe coming soon!) or Vegan Cauliflower Wings right before serving. You can also brush it over Fried Tofu or Fried Cauliflower, or use it to coat my Tofu Chicken Nuggets for an easy buffalo-style twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. You can make it ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat it gently before using.
Yes. Use a milder hot sauce, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper, or add a little extra vegan butter to tone down the heat.
Yes, but for the most classic buffalo flavor, a cayenne-based hot sauce works best. Keep in mind that different hot sauces will change the flavor and spice level.
This usually happens if the sauce gets too hot. Make sure to heat it gently and remove it from the heat as soon as it starts bubbling around the edges.
Traditional buffalo sauce is made with butter, so it's not vegan. This version uses vegan butter instead, while keeping the same classic flavor.
More Vegan Sauce Recipes
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Vegan Buffalo Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter, cold
- ⅔ cup hot pepper sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
- 1½ tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the vegan butter, hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt to a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the butter melts and the ingredients are fully combined.
- As soon as small bubbles start forming along the sides of the pan, remove it from the heat and whisk until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Let the sauce cool slightly, then transfer it to a jar and use as needed.
Notes
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw it overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring often until smooth.
About Iosune
Hi, I’m Iosune! I’m a food lover, home cook, recipe creator, and co-founder of Simple Vegan Blog, which I started in 2014 to show how easy and delicious vegan cooking can be.