9 Facts About Buffalo Sauce That Will Impress Your Friends

It all started in 1964 in a bar in Buffalo, NY. Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar, was cooking up a snack for her son and his rowdy friends when she went out on a limb and dunked some chicken wings in spicy hot sauce. The fiery hot wings were such a hit that they earned a permanent place on the bar’s menu the very next day.

As time went on and word spread, hot wings gained popularity across the country. The home run hit for the new buffalo wings was in 1990, when certain fast food giants launched their own versions of hot wings. Since then, buffalo wings have been a hot menu item all over the nation.

Buffalo Sauce Was Named After Buffalo, NY

The first Buffalo wings were created in a bar in Buffalo, NY, hence the name. Buffalo wings got even more attention in 1990–1993 when the Buffalo Bills prevailed to the Super Bowl four seasons in a row. As everyone knows, wings and football go hand-in-hand, so as the media covered the hot new item, Buffalo wings became a fan favorite to all football fans. 

Buffalo Sauce Lasts For Years

Once opened, most bottles of Buffalo sauce can last for 1–3 years in the refrigerator. Always check the expiration date printed on the bottle, then keep enjoying your favorite Buffalo sauce!

Buffalo Sauce Has Plenty of Health Benefits

When enjoyed in moderation, this popular wing sauce is a healthy option. Hot sauce (which is pretty darn healthy on its own) is the main component in Buffalo sauce thanks to the hot peppers. In addition to the hot sauce, most Buffalo sauces contain a fat for added flavor. Just choose an option with a healthy fat, like grass-fed butter or coconut oil, and consider this condiment a heart-healthy win. 

You Can Put Buffalo Sauce on Almost Anything

This delicious, savory sauce has evolved to be used on more than just wings—point in case: the now ubiquitous Buffalo cauliflower and lesser-known but still drool-worthy Buffalo fries. Some other Buffalo sauce-worthy snacks include popcorn, mac and cheese, and pizza.

The Big Dipper

As the saying goes, if you can’t handle the heat, grab some dipping sauce. That’s why ranch dressing and bleu cheese are almost always served alongside fiery Buffalo wings to help cool things down. With a celery and carrot stick garnish, even the most sensitive palates can step up to the heat. 

The South Devours The Most Wings

Although Buffalo sauce originated in the North (New York, to be exact), the South takes the win for most Buffalo wings consumed per year. On the other hand, the Pacific coast takes the loss and consumes the least amount of chicken wings—dude, you don’t know what you’re missing, bro! 

A National Holiday

In 1977, July 29th was deemed National Chicken Wing Day in Buffalo, New York. Each year, chicken wing-lovers everywhere celebrate by diving into piles of Buffalo wings.

Super Bowl Weekend

According to the National Chicken Council’s yearly report (yup, that’s a real thing!), Americans eat approximately 1.3 billion chicken wings over the course of the Super Bowl weekend. It’s safe to say that football and chicken wings are a match made in heaven.