Do you like hot sauce, and are you in a place where you want to make homemade hot wing sauce? Look no further! Today, we’re diving into my homemade Angry Hot Wing Sauce recipe that will set your taste buds ablaze. My hot wing sauce is unique because you can adjust the heat by changing the ratio of peppers that you add to the sauce. This hot wing sauce is a perfect complement to my smoked chicken wings.
My adjustable-heat hot sauce combines fresh Fresno, Jalapeño, and Habanero peppers into an Angry wing hot sauce that offers a complex flavor profile with a serious kick.
Understanding The Peppers
Before we start cooking, let’s talk about the fresh peppers. My recipe uses a combination of fresno, jalapeño, and habanero peppers, each bringing something special to the table:
- Fresno Chilis: These bright red peppers are similar to jalapeños in heat but offer a fruitier, smokier flavor. They typically range from 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and bring that perfect orangish-red color to the sauce.
- Red or Green Jalapeños: Red jalapeños are fully ripened and offer a slightly sweeter flavor than their green counterparts. They typically range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. If you can’t find red jalapenos, green jalapeños will work.
- Habanero Peppers: These small, lantern-shaped peppers pack a serious punch. With a Scoville rating of 100,000 to 350,000 SHU, they’re significantly hotter than the others. But it’s not just about the heat – habaneros bring a distinct fruity, almost citrusy flavor that adds depth to our sauce.
Hot Pepper Ratio
I like a 9-3-2 pepper ratio. This means that I use 9 Fresno peppers, 3 jalapeño peppers, and 2 habanero peppers. If you want a hotter sauce, you can adjust the ratio to achieve your desired heat level. The good news is that peppers are typically pretty cheap, so you can test this out and find your perfect ratio.
How Hot is the 9-3-2 Blend.
The 9-3-2 blend is the heat level of your typical buffalo-style medium hot wing sauce. It’s hot enough to feel, but it doesn’t hurt. If you want to kick it up to burn a little, start with a 9-4-4 ratio. This would make your face and lips burn a little, but you would still crave more.
Angry Sauce Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create your own homemade hot wing sauce:
- 9 fresh Fresno chilis
- 3 red jalapeño peppers
- 2 habanero peppers
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne Pepper
Equipment
- Blender – I used a Vitamix blender
- Strainer
- Spatula
Hot Wing Sauce Recipe: Step-by-Step
Prep Work:
- Put on a pair of gloves. Trust me, you don’t want to rub your eyes after handling habaneros!
- Wash all peppers thoroughly.
- Remove the stems from the peppers. I remove MOST of the seeds. I want a spicy well rounded sauce, not a sauce that will melt your face off. You can choose to keep them in for maximum heat.
- Optional: You can broil or smoke the peppers and garlic for a few minutes to add a touch of that roasted flavor.
Blend and Strain:
- Dump all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high until silky smooth.
- Once blended, strain the mixture into a bowl. Press on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Final Touches:
Taste your sauce. Now’s the time to adjust:
- Too thick? Add a bit of water.
- Not salty enough? Add a pinch more salt.
- Want more tang? A splash of extra vinegar might do the trick.
Bottle It Up and let it rest.
- Transfer your hot sauce to clean bottles or jars.
- Let it cool completely before sealing.
- Refrigerate and let it sit for at least 24 hours if you can wait that long!
Pro Tip – Wait 24 Hours
While it’s tempting to dive right in, let your hot sauce rest in the fridge for a day or two before using. This “resting period” allows the flavors to combine and develop, resulting in a more complex and well-balanced hot sauce.
Make the Angry Wing Sauce
- Now that the homemade hot sauce has rested for 24 hours, mix it with some butter, and you have your homemade hot chicken wing sauce.
- 1/3 Cup melted butter
- 1/2 Cup Angry Hot Sauce
- In a large bowl, add the chicken wings and the hot wing sauce. In small batches, toss the chicken wings in the sauce.
Garnish And Serve Your Hot Wings
Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with some ranch or blue cheese dressings.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store your Angry Hot Sauce without the butter. Add the butter to the hot sauce right before you toss with the chicken wings. It’s easier to store the hot sauce without the butter. Your homemade hot wing sauce should last a couple of months when refrigerated. The high vinegar content acts as a preservative, but always check for any signs of spoilage before use.
Customization: Make It Your Own
Remember, a recipe is just a starting point or a recommendation. Feel free to make this hot wing sauce yours by adding things that you might like. Here are some variations to try:
- Fruit Fusion: Add a chopped mango or pineapple for a tropical twist.
Smoky Heat: Smoke your peppers before blending for a deeper flavor.
Garlic Lover’s Dream: Use more garlic cloves for a more intense garlic flavor.
Optional Variations
- Sweetness: 1 tbsp honey or 1 tsp sugar – This will add some sweetness to the sauce and it will mask the heat a little.
- Tangy Citrus Flavor – Want some tangy citrus flavor? Add some fresh lime juice.
- Want it Hotter? Add more jalapeños and habaneros. This sauce it meant to be an adjustable hot wing sauce, so make it hotter by adding more peppers.
- Want it milder? Add fewer jalapeños and habaneros to the mix. These peppers will bring the heat into your sauce. If you are looking for a mild sauce, try a 9-1-0 ratio. 9 fresnos, 1 jalepeño and leave the habenero out. It’s your sauce; you can make it any way you want.
Safety First!
- Remember, when working with hot peppers, especially potent ones like habaneros: Always wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid touching your face or eyes.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling peppers, even if you wear gloves.
Embrace the Burn
Creating your own hot wing sauce is easy and fun. This Fresno-Jalapeño-Habanero hot sauce offers a fiery kick with a depth of flavor that store-bought wing sauces can’t match. The Fresnos provide a fruity base, the jalapeños add classic pepper flavor, and the habaneros bring intense heat and citrusy notes.
So, are you ready to feel the burn? Put those peppers in the blender, and let’s start cooking! Your taste buds will thank you—once they stop tingling, that is. Let me know if you made this recipe in the comments. If you’re looking for other tasty sauces, try my chimichurri sauce recipe.
Other Recipes That You Might Like:
Hot Wing Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Blender I used a Vitamix blender
- Strainer
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 9 Fresnos Chilis
- 3 Red or green jalapeño peppers
- 2 Habanero Peppers
- 3/4 cups White Vinegar
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
Prep Work:
- Wash all peppers thoroughly. Wear gloves and remove the stems from the peppers. I remove MOST of the seeds. I want a spicy well rounded sauce, not a sauce that will melt your face off. You can choose to keep them in for maximum heat.
- Optional: You can broil the peppers and garlic for a few minutes to add a touch of that roasted flavor.
Blend and Strain the Hot Wing Sauce
- Dump all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high until silky smooth.
- Once blended, strain the mixture into a bowl.
- Press on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Transfer your hot sauce to clean bottles or jars. Let it cool completely before sealing. Refrigerate and let it sit for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to intensify.
Make the Hot Wing Sauce
- Now that the homemade hot sauce has rested for 24 hours, mix it with some butter, and you have your homemade hot chicken wing sauce.
- Mix 1/3 Cup melted butter and 1/2 Cup Angry Hot Sauce over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Add the chicken wings and hot wing sauce in a large bowl.
- In small batches, toss the chicken wings in the sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressings.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between your Angry Hot Wing Sauce Recipe and Buffalo Hot Wing Sauce?
Answer: Buffalo sauce was invented in Buffalo NY in 1964 and served with deep fried chicken wings. My Angry Hot Wing Sauce uses fresh peppers and is best served over smoked chicken wings.
Can you Adjust the Heat on This Hot Wing Sauce Recipe?
Yes, you can adjust the heat level of the sauce by adjusting the number of jalapeño and habanero peppers you add. If you add more, you will get a hotter, spicier hot wing sauce. If you add less, you will get a milder hot wing sauce.
Can You Use the Hot Sauce Without Adding Butter?
You can certainly use the hot sauce without adding the butter. It’s very flavorful and versatile. Once you add the butter, it’s hot wing sauce.
Do You Need To Roast or Smoke the Peppers?
No, you do not need to smoke or roast the hot peppers, but you can if you want to add a touch of that smokey roasted flavor to the hot wing sauce.