Description
This recipe makes a creamy, flavorful homemade buffalo sauce infused with smoked Gouda cheese, perfect for family dinners, game nights, or quick weeknight meals. It transforms classic Frank’s RedHot into a gourmet sauce with balanced heat and rich depth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 355 mL Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce
- 0.5 cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup (50 g) smoked Gouda cheese, finely grated (made with microbial rennet)
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) garlic powder
- A pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- A splash apple cider vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat for about 2-3 minutes until fully liquid and clear, but do not brown it.
- Combine Initial Flavors: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce and garlic powder to the melted butter. Whisk gently until well combined and the sauce has a uniform reddish-orange color.
- Infuse with Smoked Gouda: Return the saucepan to very low heat. Slowly add the finely grated smoked Gouda cheese, stirring continuously with a whisk or rubber spatula. Keep the heat low to ensure it melts smoothly without clumping; this will take around 3-5 minutes until completely incorporated. (If the sauce becomes oily, remove from heat and whisk vigorously to re-emulsify).
- Gentle Warming and Thickening: Continue stirring gently over low heat until the smoked Gouda is fully melted and incorporated, creating a rich, glossy, and slightly thickened sauce that coats the back of a spoon. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat once smooth and creamy, about 1-2 more minutes.
- Taste, Adjust, and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust if desired. Serve the warm sauce immediately, drizzling generously over your chosen dish.
Notes
Store leftover buffalo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality vegan butter substitute. Sharp cheddar can be substituted for smoked Gouda, though the smoky flavor will differ. Freshly grating your own cheese ensures the best melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 mL)
- Calories: 100 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: homemade buffalo sauce, creamy buffalo sauce, smoked Gouda, Frank's RedHot, easy dinner ideas, game night, meal prep, weeknight dinners, family dinners, gourmet sauce