Every Buffalo Wild Wings Flavor, Ranked
Buffalo Wild Wings is known for its array of wing sauces and spices that fit everyone's different tastes. Their signature flavors have become so popular that Buffalo Wild Wings sells bottled signature sauce flavors and spice shakers to perfectly recreate your favorite wings at home. There are over 1,200 Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants to explore, all with a plethora of flavors. Their current menu offers 24 different sauces and spices that are sure to make boneless or bone-in wings perfect for any occasion.
However, with so many consistent flavors and different flavors coming and going throughout the years, it's hard to determine which are better than others. Some are so evenly matched that they are ranked the same, and others stand alone in their reigning popularity. Instead of having to try each flavor to create your own ranking, read on to see a definitive ranking of all the Buffalo Wild Wings flavors from least desirable to most delicious.
Jammin Jalapeno & Hot
In last place and equally rated, we have the Jammin Jalapeno sauce and Hot sauce. Both sauces live up to their name in kick, but both are disappointing to fans expecting more. The Jammin Jalapeno combines flavors of tequila, lime, and jalapeno to give it that citrus spice meant to remind eaters of any margarita or good Mexican meal. It has a sweet taste and glazy consistency, but the main ingredients that the sauce advertises are nowhere to be tasted. It's more of a generic spice than a particularly accurate taste to its name.
The Hot sauce is meant to be like their traditional buffalo sauce, but with the heat drastically intensified. Unfortunately, though, Buffalo Wild Wings fans are better off ordering the regular buffalo or a different spicy sauce than they would be eating this. The Hot sends an uncomfortable pepper-like feeling into your nose that comes with no pleasure from the taste to ease the spicy pain. All in all, these sauces are both disappointing and are tied at the bottom.
Sweet BBQ
The Sweet BBQ is for those with less of a palate for spicy sauces and more of a sweet wing taste. The Sweet BBQ sauce is meant to be extremely thick and give eaters this intensely rich flavor that is reminiscent of traditional sweet barbecue, but not quite there. It's more of a diluted version of a sweeter barbecue sauce that lacks its advertised thickness. It's certainly rich with flavor, but more than anything it tries too hard to find the line between sweetness and that smoky barbecue taste. This sauce will, time after time, teeter toward the "too sweet" side of flavor.
Barbecue lovers should be warned that, though this sauce will certainly taste like a sweet barbecue flavor, it will disappoint if you go into it thinking that it'll be anything too special. However, for those looking to get a sweeter taste with their wings, Buffalo Wild Wings' Sweet BBQ will somewhat do the trick.
Nashville Hot & Blazin' Carolina Reaper
Next, and tied in ranking, is the Nashville Hot sauce and the Blazin' Carolina Reaper. The Nashville Hot sauce is already set up to fail because of how specific yet variably different Nashville Hot flavors can be. The Nashville Hot is named for a type of specialty spicy chicken that originates in Nashville, Tennessee. Many chicken restaurants or restaurants that have chicken on the menu have some variation of the Nashville Hot flavor. Buffalo Wild Wings' Nashville Hot is slightly similar to the original, with that chili pepper taste and a lingering smokiness that, though usually presented in seasoning form, is embodied in a sauce. The taste falls flat, however, and would not live up to the expectations of those who have had authentic Nashville Hot flavors.
The Blazin' Carolina Reaper is similar in rank, mainly because it is akin to the Nashville Hot in the sense of the overwhelming pepper taste. However, the heat of the Blazin' Carolina Reaper is much more intense than that of the Nashville Hot. The heat isn't just slightly more intense, either — the Blazin' Carolina Reaper is at the top of the spiciness chart on the Buffalo Wild Wings menu, which fans of the restaurant will recognize. This sauce isn't even fun to eat because of how spicy it is. If you're looking to eat this sauce, you might as well do the hot wing challenge and get some sort of reward or bragging rights in exchange.
Teriyaki & Asian Zing
It's only fair to admit that in most cases, restaurants without Asian roots or specialization in Asian dishes have a low bar for their Teriyaki variations and other Asian condiment recipes. Buffalo Wild Wings is no exception to this rule, as their Teriyaki and Asian Zing sauces are both less than stellar. For the Teriyaki sauce, the menu advertises "bold and savory." Though the choice to attempt a Teriyaki sauce was bold, and the taste is savory, making the advertisement true, what they don't advertise is that it's not actually a good iteration of a teriyaki sauce. It's much too sweet for a traditional teriyaki flavor, but it's also seemingly altered in taste to go better with their wings. The attempt earns a mere "so-so" ranking and is definitely not what teriyaki lovers would expect.
As for the Asian Zing, it might win out over teriyaki on a good day, but only slightly. There are hints of ginger, soy, and chili pepper, as is advertised, but that's all there are: hints. The sauce is a vague representation of what someone thinks an Asian dressing should taste like. It would go better with vegetables and rice than it would with wings, mostly because its stickily sweet taste belongs on a dish with more of a bland base than the Buffalo Wild Wings plain chicken. Both sauces are an okay choice sometimes but lack the "it" factor that other Buffalo Wild Wings flavors have.
Caribbean Jerk & Orange Chicken
For more Buffalo Wild Wings takes on traditional sauces, next up is the Caribbean Jerk sauce and the Orange Chicken sauce. For the Caribbean Jerk, the restaurant makes a nondescript claim that the sauce will taste of "island spices and peppers." To be fair, Manhattan is an island, so that claim is too vague to satisfy someone looking for more of an explanation. The Caribbean Jerk is a better version of the Jammin Jalapeno, though they share a similar taste. It's a nice alternative to ordering traditional barbecue sauces, or if an eater just wants to get out of their ordinary order. The traditional Jamaican sauce taste can actually be found in the Buffalo Wild Wings version, with its mild and tangy flavor sure to satiate fans.
On the other hand, the Orange Chicken has the same ranking because of its similar caliber of respect to the original taste of the classic orange sauce. It has a mix of orange, soy, and chili pepper flavors that all remind eaters of the classic American Chinese dish. The sauce is perfectly suited for chicken, which gives it a slight edge over other traditional sauce iterations that Buffalo Wild Wings tries. This flavor is predisposed to go with the restaurant's product. They do a great job of creating a sauce that isn't quite the same as the original but will still satisfy orange chicken lovers.
Plain & Salt and Vinegar
Some people might be shocked at how high the plain wings are ranked, but the plain wings and the Salt and Vinegar seasoning are both equally great orders from the Buffalo Wild Wings menu. The plain wings, both bone-in and boneless, are surprisingly delicious for a huge chain restaurant. Each order tastes carefully cooked to the eater's liking. The bone-in wings have a juicy and tender texture that just falls right off the bone and into your mouth. The boneless wings have a brilliant balance of crispy breading and tenderized chicken. Though the wings typically pair better with a sauce or seasoning, it still is well done without.
The Salt & Vinegar seasoning is self-explanatory. Though most products with salt and vinegar seasoning can come across as manufactured, this seasoning has an authentic and fresh taste that puts a tang in the mouth, without overpowering it. It's a brilliant mix of salty and vinegary tastes, while still being a subtle take on the classic flavor pairing.
Wild & Desert Heat
The Wild sauce and Desert Heat seasoning are both similar in spice and quality. The Wild sauce is meant to be a bit like the Buffalo Wild Wings Original Buffalo sauce, just with a more intensified spice to it. The Wild sauce also stands out by tasting like it is full of fresh cut peppers in addition to that buffalo taste that everyone is looking for. It's the second hottest sauce behind the Blazin' Carolina Reaper, but certainly doesn't taste like it. There is definitely a kick, though.
With the Desert Heat seasoning, it's extremely dry and smoky, and most importantly, perfectly described by its name. It's a little too intense with the salt, likely trying to balance out the peppery taste that fills your mouth and nostrils alike. However, if you like generous salt and dry heat, then the Desert Heat seasoning is a great choice. Both the Wild sauce and the Desert Heat are not as great as the name makes them seem, but still viable choices for spicy flavors.
Spicy Garlic
The Spicy Garlic sauce might be one of the most underrated sauces on the menu. Like the Wild Sauce, it stems from the Buffalo Wild Wings Original Buffalo sauce, which is an excellent starting point already. However, what makes the Spicy Garlic different from the Original Buffalo is the addition of an intense garlic flavor. When mixed with the buffalo taste, the garlic eases the spice and creates a rich, creamy, mild flavor with a garlic aftertaste.
One might even say that the Original Buffalo flavor becomes a bit lost and changes into the Buffalo Wild Wings Mild sauce. This isn't a bad thing, though, because the Mild sauce is amazing in its own right, and the garlic makes it even better. Though it might not be the best sauce option for a date or dinner with friends, the Spicy Garlic sauce is one that you'll want to devour when you're not breathing on those around you.
Chipotle BBQ & Honey BBQ
Though they're two different kinds of barbecue flavors, the Chipotle BBQ seasoning and the Honey BBQ sauce are evenly matched. The Chipotle BBQ seasoning has all of the great smoky, outdoorsy-feeling flavors of barbecue, only enhanced by the taste of fire-roasted peppers to give it that chipotle kick. It's not spicy but gives the eater a comfortable flavor to enjoy instead of sweat.
The Honey BBQ sauce also gives that comfortable flavor but is much sweeter. Unlike the Sweet BBQ, though, it's not so thick or sweet that you tire of it after a wing or two. Rather, the Honey BBQ sauce possesses a very minute heat that makes it more palatable while still appealing to fans of less spicy food. Both of these BBQ flavors are great examples of what a good barbecue wing should taste like. One just gives a dry, smoky flavor, while the other gives a more rich, sweet flavor with slight heat.
Mango Habanero
Next up is Mango Habanero. This sauce has an aggressive kick with the habanero side. A habanero is a unique chili pepper with a very intense hot taste. This heat is balanced out by the sweet, fruity taste of the mango, which helps a small amount with the effects of the heat. However, there is no denying that if you eat the Mango Habanero wings, you'll be sweating through the entire experience, whether or not you like the taste.
Unlike some of the other numerous heat-filled options on the menu, though, the mango's sweetness makes eating this sauce bearable. It's a well-balanced sauce, and what most restaurants that serve a sweeter hot sauce should strive to achieve. For spicy fans, you get what is advertised with this sauce, and if that slightly sweet sweat is what you're going for with your wing selection, then the Mango Habanero sauce will not disappoint.
Mild & Original Buffalo
Two of Buffalo Wild Wings' most popular flavors are the Mild sauce and the Original Buffalo sauce. The Mild sauce is great for people trying to get into spicy foods but needing an easy start. It is so similar to the Original Buffalo sauce that it's hard to rank them differently. It's a very neutral taste and a creamy texture that can work for anyone, but if you're expecting spicy, this isn't the sauce for you.
The Original Buffalo, on the other hand, is a bit spicier than the Mild sauce. It's about as traditional as a buffalo sauce can get. In a "buttery" fashion, as the website puts it, the Original Buffalo sauce blends the Buffalo Wild Wings Hot sauce with some special spices. Together, it creates the perfect taste that the Hot sauce by itself can't quite achieve. More than anything, the Original Buffalo becomes a base for a lot of the other sauces on the menu, so it's clearly a favorite of many, even if indirectly.
Thai Curry
Though most of the other sauces that dive into different cultures struggle with maintaining authenticity, the Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry does an excellent job of honoring the original and putting an original spin on it. It has got a nice, thick spice to it and a savory base flavor that explodes off the wing. The bold taste of the curry might not seem like the ideal pairing with a wing, but both the bone-in and boneless wings complement the combination of rich coconut milk and plentiful spices.
The curry flavor can potentially be overwhelming for some, but with Buffalo Wild Wings' iteration, it is slightly more mild but still flavorful. Eaters can liken it to a beginner's guide to curry for those who have never had it. The Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry sauce will unlock your curry-loving taste buds and keep you coming back for more.
Lemon Pepper
To kick off the top three flavors at Buffalo Wild Wings, we've got the Lemon Pepper seasoning. This is by far the best of the dry seasonings for the wings. The lemon pepper spice started in India but gained great popularity in America through the restaurants of Atlanta. It spread around the country when chain restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings started including it on the menu. Now, many households have this seasoning in the spice cabinet and use it as an addition to not just meat dishes, but pasta, vegetables, and other dishes as well.
The Lemon Pepper seasoning has a delicious citrus base with a sharp, savory pepper flavor. The seasoning goes really well on both the bone-in and boneless wings, but it also compliments almost every sauce on the menu. You can't go wrong with the pairings, but even by itself, it is more than enough to satiate any palate.
Medium
In second place is Buffalo Wild Wings' take on Medium sauce. Like the Mild sauce, the Medium sauce has the base of the restaurant's Original Buffalo sauce, but with more heat and spices. The Medium sauce is thick and really creamy, juxtaposing the crunch of the boneless wings and complementing the smooth, crispy skin of the bone-in wings. The Medium sauce is unexpectedly tolerable for those with a smaller spicy palate, but still has a consuming peppery taste that gives you a good kick. If you want to increase the spice, the Medium sauce pairs well with the Desert Heat seasoning or the Chipotle BBQ seasoning.
There are some sauces that struggle to stick to the wing, but the Medium sauce never fails to beautifully coat the chicken. Those who want that Mild sauce taste with increased heat and thicker consistency would be remiss if they didn't choose the Medium sauce.
Parmesan Garlic
Finally, in first place, we have the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce. Though this is without a doubt the most unhealthy sauce option, it's also without a doubt the best. The sauce has a gorgeous mix of Parmesan cheese and a gritty garlic-y taste, while not allowing one to overpower the other. It's topped off with an abundant mix of Italian herbs that help give the sauce some texture while eating it.
The Parmesan Garlic sauce is friendly on the spice charts. There's no worry of sweating your way through your meal, but there is definitely a minor sizzle to the sauce that will keep you coming back for more. Though it's not recommended to eat this garlic-filled sauce while having to breathe on anyone around you, it's the perfect complement to the already delicious Buffalo Wild Wings chicken wings. The Parmesan Garlic sauce is a triumph on the Buffalo Wild Wings menu and is absolutely the chain's top sauce.