Frank's RedHot Original vs Buffalo Wings Sauce
Published 2026-10-30
Frank's RedHot is one of the best-known hot sauces in the country and the base of the classic Buffalo wing. The brand sells several versions, and the two most people choose between are the Original cayenne pepper sauce and the ready-made Buffalo Wings sauce. They look similar on the shelf but are designed for different jobs. Here is how to tell them apart and when to use each.
Frank's RedHot Original
The Original is a thin, tangy cayenne pepper sauce made mainly with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, salt and garlic. The heat is moderate, so many people use it generously. It is an all-purpose hot sauce for eggs, pizza, mac and cheese, soups and sandwiches, and it is the traditional starting point for homemade Buffalo sauce mixed with melted butter.
Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce
The Wings sauce is a ready-to-use Buffalo sauce with a buttery flavor already built in. It is thicker than the Original, so it coats wings without needing to add butter yourself. It is the easier choice when you just want to toss cooked wings or tenders and serve, or make Buffalo chicken dip, sandwiches and cauliflower bites with fewer steps.
Which is hotter?
Both are on the milder side of the hot sauce world. Many people find the Wings sauce a bit gentler because of its buttery richness, while the Original tastes sharper and more vinegary. If you want more heat, add a few drops of a hotter sauce, or a pinch of cayenne, to either one.
Which should you buy?
If you want one bottle for everything, the Original is more versatile. If wings and Buffalo chicken dip are on the menu often, the Wings sauce saves time. Many families keep both. Pair them with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery sticks for classic wing night. Both bottles are shelf-stable before opening; check the label for storage once opened.
Buying tip
Frank's comes in several bottle sizes. If you use it on eggs, pizza and sandwiches every week, a larger bottle is usually better value than a small one.
