When it comes to food, there’s no denying that some pairings are simply iconic – peanut butter and jelly, fish and chips, or even spaghetti and meatballs. But there’s another duo that undeniably gets our mouth-watering and taste buds tingling: Buffalo wings and ranch sauce. The bold and spicy flavors of the wings harmoniously balanced with the cool and creamy sensation of the ranch create nothing short of magic on our plates. But what if we could take this beloved combination to a whole new level? Today, I’m here to reveal a sumptuous secret: my very own Buffalo Ranch Sauce Recipe!
How to make Buffalo Ranch Sauce
Buffalo Ranch Sauce is a sauce combining buffalo wings and ranch dressing flavors. It’s a popular dipping sauce for chicken wings and other finger foods, but it can also be used in sandwiches, salads and more!
What is buffalo ranch sauce made of?
- 1 cup of ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup of hot buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine All Ingredients: Pour in your ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce in a medium-sized bowl. Add the fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder too. Stir all of these well until everything is blended smoothly.
- Season: Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and a little black pepper, according to your preference. Mix it again to incorporate the seasonings into your sauce.
- Chill: Once well combined, cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour or two. This allows the flavors to merge and fully develop, resulting in an even more tantalizing ranch sauce.
- Serve: After this, your Ranch Sauce is ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favorite snacks, be it chicken wings, vegetable sticks, chips, or burgers!
Tips:
- Balancing the Spice: The buffalo wing sauce adds heat to this dressing. If you prefer a gentler flavor, reduce the quantity of buffalo sauce or enhance the quantity of the ranch dressing.
- Fresh is Best: Using fresh lemon juice versus bottled can really elevate the tanginess of this Buffalo Ranch Sauce. Fresh garlic and onion can be used in place of the powder versions; just remember to finely mince them.
- Storing the Sauce: The Ranch Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavor tends to deepen over time, making leftovers just as (if not more) delicious!
What to serve with
Buffalo Ranch Sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment that can elevate various dishes. Here are some delicious options to serve with Ranch Sauce:
- Chicken Wings:Â This is a classic pairing! Toss crispy, oven-baked or fried chicken wings in Ranch Sauce for a spicy and creamy kick.
- Chicken Tenders:Â Breaded and baked or fried chicken tenders become irresistible when dipped in Ranch Sauce. It adds a zesty twist to a classic favorite.
- Vegetable Sticks:Â Serve raw vegetable sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers with Buffalo Ranch Sauce as a refreshing and crunchy snack.
- Salads:Â Use Buffalo Ranch Sauce as a dressing for salads. It works particularly well with salads that have grilled chicken, avocado, and crunchy greens.
- Wraps and Sandwiches:Â Spread Ranch Sauce on wraps or sandwiches for a spicy and creamy element. It pairs well with grilled chicken, turkey, or even roasted vegetables.
- Burgers:Â Add a dollop of Ranch Sauce to your burger for an extra kick. It complements beef, chicken, or veggie burgers beautifully.
- Tacos:Â Drizzle Ranch Sauce over tacos filled with grilled chicken, beef, or shrimp. It adds a unique flavor that takes your tacos to the next level.
- Pizza:Â Use Ranch Sauce as a dipping sauce for pizza crusts or drizzle it over a buffalo chicken pizza for a flavor explosion.
- Loaded Fries:Â Top your fries with shredded cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and a generous drizzle of Ranch Sauce for loaded fries with a kick.
- Quesadillas:Â Serve Ranch Sauce as a dipping sauce for cheesy quesadillas. The spiciness of the sauce complements the cheesy goodness.
- Grilled Meats:Â Use Ranch Sauce as a marinade or glaze for grilled meats like chicken breasts, pork chops, or even steak. It adds a spicy and tangy flavor.
- Fish Tacos:Â Create a delicious sauce for fish tacos by mixing Ranch Sauce with some lime juice. It adds a zesty and creamy element to the tacos.
- Stuffed Jalapeños: Mix Buffalo Ranch Sauce with cream cheese and use it as a filling for jalapeño poppers. Bake until golden and enjoy the spicy goodness.
- Loaded Nachos: Drizzle Buffalo Ranch Sauce over a plate of loaded nachos with melted cheese, black beans, jalapeños, and guacamole.
Variations
Classic Buffalo Ranch Sauce:
- Equal parts Buffalo sauce and Ranch dressing.
- This traditional and straightforward combination provides a perfect balance of heat and creaminess.
Spicy Buffalo Blue Cheese Ranch:
- Combine Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, and crumbled blue cheese.
- This variation adds a tangy and savory twist with the inclusion of blue cheese. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a bolder flavor.
Honey Sriracha Ranch:
- Mix Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, honey, and a touch of Sriracha.
- Adding honey adds sweetness, while Sriracha brings a different kind of heat. This variation is sweet, spicy, and creamy.
Garlic Parmesan Buffalo Ranch:
- Blend Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- The garlic and Parmesan bring a rich and savory element to the sauce, creating a flavor profile reminiscent of garlic Parmesan wings.
Chipotle Lime Ranch Buffalo Sauce:
- Combine Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, chipotle pepper (either in adobo sauce or as powder), and a squeeze of lime juice.
Cilantro Lime Buffalo Ranch:
- Mix Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, fresh chopped cilantro, and lime juice.
- The freshness of cilantro combined with the citrusy lime creates a vibrant and herby Buffalo Ranch Sauce.
Jalapeño Ranch Buffalo Sauce:
- Blend Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, and finely chopped pickled jalapeños.
- For those who love some extra heat and a hint of tanginess from the pickled jalapeños.
Avocado Ranch Buffalo Sauce:
- Combine Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, and mashed avocado.
- Creamy avocado adds a smooth and buttery texture to the sauce, making it even more luscious.
Maple Bourbon Buffalo Ranch:
- Mix Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, a splash of bourbon, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Greek Yogurt Buffalo Ranch:
- Combine Buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, and Greek yogurt.
- For a lighter and tangier version, replace some or all of the Ranch dressing with Greek yogurt. It’s a healthier option with a similar creamy texture.
Ingredients Substitutes
While the original recipe for Buffalo Ranch Sauce is fantastic, you may sometimes need to work with alternative ingredients due to various reasons—such as allergies, dietary restrictions, or unavailability. Here are some substitutes for different components of the recipe:
Ranch Dressing Substitute:
Yogurt and Sour Cream Mixture:Â Mix 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of sour cream as a substitute for 1 cup of ranch dressing. You can add a splash of buttermilk or lemon juice and some minced fresh herbs (like parsley, dill, and chives) for added tanginess and flavor.
Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce Substitute:
Homemade Buffalo Sauce: If you don’t have store-bought buffalo wing sauce, you can create your own by combining equal parts of hot sauce (preferably cayenne pepper-based, like Frank’s RedHot) and melted unsalted butter. Add a pinch of garlic powder and stir until smooth.
Lemon Juice Substitute:
White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar:Â If fresh or bottled lemon juice is unavailable, you can use an equal amount of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Garlic Powder Substitute:
- Fresh Garlic: For every 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, you can replace it with two cloves of finely minced fresh garlic.
- Granulated Garlic: Swap granulated garlic at a 1:1 ratio with garlic powder if you have granulated garlic on hand.
Onion Powder Substitute:
- Fresh Onion: 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder can replace 2 tablespoons of finely minced fresh onion (yellow or white onion works best).
Final Thoughts
This is the easiest homemade buffalo ranch sauce recipe! It’s super easy to make and tastes better than store-bought. It’s also delicious with buffalo chicken, slathered on a roast beef sandwich, or to dip carrot sticks into.
More Sauce Recipes:
- Easy Torchy’s Queso Recipe
- Ghost Pepper Ranch Sauce Recipe
- Cookout Quesadilla Sauce Recipe
- Best Cookout Sauce Recipe
- Jimmy John’s Kickin Ranch Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup of hot buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine All Ingredients: Pour in your ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce in a medium-sized bowl. Add the fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder too. Stir all of these well until everything is blended smoothly.
- Season: Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and a little black pepper, according to your preference. Mix it again to incorporate the seasonings into your sauce.
- Chill: Once well combined, cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour or two. This allows the flavors to merge and fully develop, resulting in an even more tantalizing ranch sauce.
- Serve: After this, your Ranch Sauce is ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favorite snacks, be it chicken wings, vegetable sticks, chips, or burgers!
