Name: Healthy Vegan Buffalo Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup hot sauce; 1/4 cup runny cashew butter; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional); 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1-2 tablespoons of water (if needed)

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This vegan buffalo sauce is rich, creamy, without any butter or oil. Whether it’s game day, a holiday, or just a Tuesday, this 5 ingredient homemade sauce is sure to please. You can use it on just about anything you like, so why don’t you try it and give your favorite recipe and boost of flavor.

vegan buffalo sauce splattered under a spoon.

If you can’t tell by now, I LOVE spicy food. I love buffalo chicken salad, buffalo chicken dip, quesadillas, cauliflower buffalo wings- you name it, I like it. My brother introduced me to hot sauce at a very young age, and it’s been a staple in my diet ever since. Since I eat it so much, I figured that it was time I made my own, and who would’ve known how easy it is?

This tasty sauce is such an easy recipe that you can whip up in just 5 minutes. The combination of hot sauce and cashew butter, with a few simple spices makes this delicious vegan buffalo sauce a great addition to just about any recipe you make. Drizzle over roasted veggies, use as a sandwich spread, or dip some crispy cauliflower bites for a healthy snack. Whether you’re vegan or not, this is sure to be the best buffalo sauce you’ll eat.

WHAT IS BUFFALO SAUCE?

While hot sauce is a spicy, cayenne pepper sauce, buffalo sauce is a creamier version that’s usually enhanced with a fat. It’s common to see buffalo sauce on chicken wings, served with vegetables, or in a dip. Traditional buffalo sauce recipes use butter to balance the spice level, but vegan recipes use vegan butter, olive oil, or in this case- cashew butter!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Only needs 5 simple ingredients
No added butter or oil
A rich, creamy, spicy sauce
Super easy to make
Is a simple way to add flavor to any recipe

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN BUFFALO SAUCE

Hot sauce: My favorite kind is Frank’s red hot sauce. I’ve used this brand my entire life and LOVE it
Cashew butter: I like to use one that is just roasted cashews and sea salt, you also want to look for a brand that is on the runny side and not super thick like peanut butter
Apple cider vinegar: The acidity helps cut the richness of this sauce and brightens it. You can also use white vinegar
Worcestershire sauce: Make sure to use a vegan Worcestershire sauce because the traditional one contains anchovies or fish sauce, making it not vegan
Spices: I use garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper to enhance the sauce, but they’re both totally optional

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY VEGAN BUFFALO SAUCE WITHOUT BUTTER

healthy buffalo sauce in a white bowl. — **Stir everything together in a small bowl**

healthy buffalo sauce being poured into a glass jar. — **Pour into a jar and keep in the fridge until needed**

In a small bowl, stir all ingredients together
Add a little bit of water if needed to thin the sauce
Pour into a jar and keep in the fridge until ready to use

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

There’s so many delicious ways to use this vegan spicy buffalo sauce! Here’s a few suggestions:

STORING AND KEEPING

This homemade buffalo sauce is best stores in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for 7-10 days. If you don’t use it up in time and (unfortunately) need to throw some out, DO NOT dump it down your sink. Pour what you can into the trash can and wipe out the jar, then rinse and wash. The fat in the ingredients is not good to go down the sink drain because it can get stuck in your pipes. This rule applies to anything that has a lot of fat in it.

Also, because of the cashew butter, this sauce gets thicker when stored in the fridge. I recommend letting it sit out for a few minutes and come to room temperature before using it.

healthy creamy buffalo sauce in a glass jar with a spoon.

EXPERT TIPS

Do not substitute the cashew butter
Add garlic powder and cayenne pepper for extra flavor
Thin with 1-2 tablespoons of water if needed
Tame the spicy kick with a little bit of maple syrup or honey
Store in the fridge for 7-10 days
Let come to room temperature before using again

FAQs

What buffalo sauce is vegan?

If you’re looking for a vegan buffalo sauce you can buy at the grocery store, a good option is Primal Kitchen. Theirs is my favorite when I don’t have homemade on hand.

Can vegans eat buffalo sauce?

Traditionally, vegans can’t eat buffalo sauce because it contains butter which is an animal product.

How do I make this less spicy?

You can tone it down by not adding the additional cayenne pepper, or adding a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or honey.

Is Frank’s Red Hot vegan?

Yes, it does not contain any animal products so it is vegan.

What does buffalo sauce taste like?

Buffalo sauce is a creamy, spicy sauce. It has a rich, spicy flavor that’s slightly tangy from the vinegar.

Can I use a different nut butter?

No. Only cashew butter will work in this recipe because it has a very neutral flavor.

healthy hot sauce in a jar with a silver spoon.

Did you try this healthy vegan buffalo sauce recipe? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me so I can see your creations!