Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat is a tantalizing mix of smoky chile, savory garlic, and a touch of sugary sweetness that keeps your taste buds coming back for more.
Table of Contents
How to make Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat
Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat is a limited-edition wing sauce that blends the sweetness of brown sugar with the smoky spice of black pepper, garlic, and smoked chiles.
Ingredients
For the Sauce Base
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Provides the rich, caramel-like sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons honey: Adds a smooth, natural sweetness to complement the brown sugar.
- 1 tablespoon molasses (optional): For deeper flavor.
- ½ cup ketchup: Forms a tangy base for the sauce.
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a touch of acidity.
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce: Adds umami depth to the sauce.
For the Spicy Kick
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Gives the sauce a smoky undertone.
- ½ teaspoon chili powder: Brings heat without overpowering.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper: Adjust to your spice tolerance level.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground): Enhances the overall heat.
For Flavor Depth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a savory element.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Complements the garlic without overpowering it.
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder: For tangy heat.
- Pinch of salt: Brings all the flavors together.
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, molasses (if using), ketchup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir continuously over medium heat until the brown sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer gently.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to low and add the smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Whisk everything together to ensure the spices are evenly distributed into the sauce.
Step 3: Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together. Taste-test the sauce to adjust any seasoning. If you prefer it spicier, add a pinch more cayenne; if you want more sweetness, add a splash of honey or molasses.
Step 4: Once the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl or toss directly over your cooked wings.
Tips for Perfect Brown Sugar Heat Sauce
- Experiment with Heat Levels: Everyone’s spice tolerance is different! Start with the recommended amount of cayenne and chili powder, then tweak it to fit your taste preferences.
- Use High-Quality Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar will give you a deeper flavor, while light brown sugar will result in a slightly more subtle sweetness.
- Smoked Ingredients for Authenticity: Smoked paprika and chili powder are key for recreating the smoky undertone found in Buffalo Wild Wings’ version.
- Consistency Matters: If the sauce is too thick after cooling, thin it out with a splash of water or apple cider vinegar. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer until it reduces further.
- Storage Tips: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Simply reheat and enjoy it on wings, fries, or even sandwiches.
- Pair with Your Favorite Wings: While the sauce is the highlight here, wings cooked to perfection (grilled, baked, or fried) will elevate the experience.
Ingredients Substitutes
If you’re looking to recreate the delicious Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat sauce, you might need to make adjustments based on your kitchen inventory, dietary needs, or flavor preferences.
1. Brown Sugar
Original: Brown sugar provides the rich sweetness and subtle molasses flavor key to the Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat sauce.
Substitutes:
- White Sugar + Molasses: Replace 1 cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of white sugar and 1–2 tablespoons of molasses. This mimics the caramelized flavor of brown sugar.
- Coconut Sugar: A natural alternative if you’re avoiding refined sugars. Coconut sugar has a deep, rich flavor similar to brown sugar.
- Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness and a distinct maple flavor, but it’s less caramel-like. Reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to account for its consistency.
- Palm Sugar: Common in Asian cooking, it offers a sweet, earthy flavor akin to brown sugar.
2. Honey
Original: Honey adds natural sweetness and thickness to the Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat sauce.
Substitutes:
- Agave Syrup: A plant-based alternative with a similar sweetness profile but slightly thinner consistency.
- Maple Syrup: A great 1:1 substitute with an earthy-sweet taste—perfect for vegan adjustments.
- Corn Syrup: Works as a cheaper option, although it lacks honey’s complexity.
3. Molasses (Optional)
Original: If you’re using molasses, it deepens the flavor with a slightly bitter sweetness.
Substitutes:
- Dark Brown Sugar: Skip molasses and use dark brown sugar; it naturally contains more molasses flavor.
- Golden Syrup: A lighter-tasting option compared to molasses.
- Black Treacle: Works similarly to molasses but is stronger and more robust.
4. Ketchup
Original: Ketchup acts as the tangy tomato base.
Substitutes:
- Tomato Paste + Vinegar: Mix ¼ cup tomato paste with 1–2 tablespoons of vinegar or water to mimic the texture and tanginess. Add a pinch of sugar if needed.
- BBQ Sauce: Use barbecue sauce as an alternative for ketchup—it adds tang and smokiness but may alter the overall flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: Thin and sweetened tomato sauce also works as a suitable replacement.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Original: Apple cider vinegar provides acidity and a hint of fruitiness.
Substitutes:
- White Vinegar: A sharper, more neutral option. Use slightly less to prevent overpowering the flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: A mild vinegar with a subtle sweetness that can enhance the sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Offers acidity with a citrus twist and can replace vinegar in a pinch.
6. Soy Sauce
Original: Soy sauce adds saltiness and depth of flavor with umami notes.
Substitutes:
- Tamari: Gluten-free and slightly richer than soy sauce.
- Coconut Aminos: A soy-free option that provides mild saltiness and slight sweetness.
- Liquid Seasoning: Products like Maggi liquid seasoning can duplicate umami flavors.
7. Smoked Paprika
Original: Smoked paprika brings smoky, slightly sweet heat to the sauce.
Substitutes:
- Regular Paprika + Liquid Smoke: Combine 1 teaspoon regular paprika with ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke.
- Chipotle Powder: Offers smoky heat with a bolder kick.
- Chili Powder: Slightly less smoky but still provides some warm spiciness to the sauce.
8. Chili Powder & Cayenne Pepper
Original: These ingredients provide a mild-to-hot spicy kick.
Substitutes:
- Sriracha or Hot Sauce: Both can be used for spice while adding tangy heat. Adjust quantities depending on your preference.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Crush them further for a powder-like texture and still provide robust heat.
- Chili Paste: Use sparingly—it tends to concentrate the heat more strongly than powder.
9. Garlic Powder & Onion Powder
Original: These powders enhance the savory, aromatic notes in the sauce.
Substitutes:
- Fresh Garlic/Onion: Minced garlic and onion can replace powdered versions but require sautéing to soften and release flavor.
- Shallots: For onion powder replacement, shallots offer a mild onion-garlic combo taste.
10. Mustard Powder
Original: Mustard powder adds sharp, tangy heat to balance the sauce.
Substitutes:
- Prepared Yellow Mustard: Use approximately 1–2 teaspoons for each ½ teaspoon of mustard powder.
- Dijon Mustard: Offers depth and complexity of flavor; adjust to taste.
- Horseradish Powder: A spicier substitute with similar tangy notes.
11. Salt
Original: Salt enhances and balances all flavors.
Substitutes:
- Sea Salt or Kosher Salt: Provide similar saltiness without altering flavor.
- Herbal Salt: If you want an earthier taste, opt for an herb-infused salt blend.
- Miso Paste: Boost umami instead of adding more sodium-based salt.
Final Thoughts
Making Buffalo Wild Wings Brown Sugar Heat at home lets you enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings’ signature sauce whenever you want! With its bold mix of smoky heat and caramel sweetness, this sauce is versatile and easy to whip up for game days, parties, or weekday dinners.
More Buffalo Wild Wings Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Sauce Base
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon molasses (optional)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce
For the Spicy Kick
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Flavor Depth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, molasses (if using), ketchup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir continuously over medium heat until the brown sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer gently.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to low and add the smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Whisk everything together to ensure the spices are evenly distributed into the sauce.
Step 3: Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together. Taste-test the sauce to adjust any seasoning. If you prefer it spicier, add a pinch more cayenne; if you want more sweetness, add a splash of honey or molasses.
Step 4: Once the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl or toss directly over your cooked wings.
