Nashville hot sauce has taken the world by storm, and Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) is one of the most popular places to try this spicy sensation. But what exactly is Nashville hot sauce, and how did it become a staple at BWW? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Nashville hot sauce, its unique flavor profile, and how BWW’s version has become a fan favorite.
A Brief History of Nashville Hot Sauce
Nashville hot sauce, also known as Nashville hot chicken sauce, has its roots in the city’s hot chicken scene. Hot chicken is a style of fried chicken that originated in Nashville, Tennessee, in the 1930s. The dish was created by Thornton Prince, a local restaurateur who served fried chicken with a spicy kick to his customers.
The original hot chicken sauce was made with a combination of ingredients, including lard, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, and salt. The sauce was brushed onto the fried chicken during the last few minutes of cooking, giving it a crispy, spicy exterior.
Over time, Nashville hot sauce evolved and spread throughout the city, with various restaurants and chefs putting their own spin on the original recipe. Today, Nashville hot sauce is a staple of the city’s culinary scene, and its popularity has inspired a new generation of hot sauce enthusiasts.
The Rise of Nashville Hot Sauce at BWW
Buffalo Wild Wings, a popular sports bar and grill chain, was one of the first national restaurants to feature Nashville hot sauce on its menu. In 2015, BWW introduced its Nashville Hot Sauce as a limited-time offer, but due to its overwhelming popularity, it became a permanent fixture on the menu.
BWW’s Nashville Hot Sauce is made with a proprietary blend of ingredients, including hot sauce, butter, and spices. The sauce is designed to mimic the flavor profile of traditional Nashville hot sauce, with a spicy kick and a rich, buttery flavor.
The Flavor Profile of Nashville Hot Sauce BWW
So, what makes Nashville Hot Sauce BWW so special? The answer lies in its unique flavor profile, which is both spicy and savory. Here are some key characteristics of BWW’s Nashville Hot Sauce:
- Spicy kick: Nashville Hot Sauce BWW has a moderate level of heat, with a Scoville heat unit (SHU) rating of around 30,000-40,000. This is relatively mild compared to other hot sauces on the market, but still packs a punch.
- Buttery flavor: The sauce has a rich, buttery flavor that complements the spicy kick. This is due to the addition of butter to the sauce, which gives it a creamy, velvety texture.
- Smoky flavor: BWW’s Nashville Hot Sauce has a smoky flavor that adds depth and complexity to the sauce. This is achieved through the use of smoked paprika and other spices.
- Tangy flavor: The sauce has a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that balances out the heat. This is due to the addition of vinegar and other ingredients.
How to Enjoy Nashville Hot Sauce BWW
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a versatile sauce that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some popular ways to enjoy the sauce:
- Wings: The most obvious way to enjoy Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is on chicken wings. The sauce is designed to be paired with BWW’s famous wings, and it’s a match made in heaven.
- Tenders: Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is also great on chicken tenders, which can be ordered as a snack or as part of a meal.
- Fries: The sauce is also delicious on fries, which can be ordered as a side dish.
- As a dip: Nashville Hot Sauce BWW can also be enjoyed as a dip for vegetables, crackers, or chips.
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW vs. Other Hot Sauces
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is just one of many hot sauces on the market, but it has a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other sauces. Here’s how it compares to other popular hot sauces:
- Frank’s RedHot: Frank’s RedHot is a classic hot sauce that is known for its spicy kick. While it’s hotter than Nashville Hot Sauce BWW, it lacks the rich, buttery flavor of BWW’s sauce.
- Buffalo Wild Wings’ Blazin’ Sauce: BWW’s Blazin’ Sauce is a hotter sauce that is designed for those who like a little more heat. While it’s similar to Nashville Hot Sauce BWW, it lacks the smoky flavor and tangy flavor of the Nashville sauce.
- Hooters’ Wing Sauce: Hooters’ Wing Sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce that is similar to Nashville Hot Sauce BWW. However, it lacks the rich, buttery flavor of BWW’s sauce.
Conclusion
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a unique and delicious sauce that has become a staple at Buffalo Wild Wings. With its spicy kick, rich buttery flavor, and smoky flavor, it’s a sauce that is sure to please even the most discerning palates. Whether you enjoy it on wings, tenders, fries, or as a dip, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a must-try for anyone who loves hot sauce.
Make Your Own Nashville Hot Sauce at Home
While Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a proprietary sauce, you can make your own version at home using a few simple ingredients. Here’s a recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/4 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar to the saucepan.
- Whisk the mixture together until it’s smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s thickened slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vinegar.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature before serving.
This homemade version of Nashville Hot Sauce is similar to BWW’s sauce, but it’s not an exact replica. However, it’s a delicious alternative that you can enjoy at home.
Conclusion
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a unique and delicious sauce that has become a staple at Buffalo Wild Wings. With its spicy kick, rich buttery flavor, and smoky flavor, it’s a sauce that is sure to please even the most discerning palates. Whether you enjoy it on wings, tenders, fries, or as a dip, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a must-try for anyone who loves hot sauce. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own version at home using a few simple ingredients.
What is Nashville Hot Sauce BWW, and how does it differ from traditional buffalo sauce?
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a signature sauce offered by Buffalo Wild Wings, a popular sports bar and grill chain. This sauce is inspired by the flavors of Nashville hot chicken, a style of fried chicken that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. Unlike traditional buffalo sauce, which is typically made with a combination of hot sauce and butter, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW has a sweeter and smokier flavor profile.
The unique flavor of Nashville Hot Sauce BWW comes from the blend of spices and ingredients used in its recipe. The sauce has a thick, syrupy consistency and a deep reddish-brown color. When compared to traditional buffalo sauce, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW has a more complex flavor profile, with notes of brown sugar, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne pepper. This makes it a great option for those looking for a twist on traditional buffalo sauce.
What inspired Buffalo Wild Wings to create Nashville Hot Sauce BWW?
Buffalo Wild Wings created Nashville Hot Sauce BWW as a response to the growing popularity of Nashville hot chicken. The chain wanted to offer its customers a unique and flavorful sauce that would complement its menu of wings and other pub-style fare. By drawing inspiration from the flavors of Nashville hot chicken, Buffalo Wild Wings aimed to create a sauce that would appeal to customers looking for a new and exciting flavor experience.
The creation of Nashville Hot Sauce BWW also reflects Buffalo Wild Wings’ commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The chain regularly introduces new sauces and menu items to keep its offerings fresh and exciting. By offering a unique sauce like Nashville Hot Sauce BWW, Buffalo Wild Wings can attract new customers and keep existing ones coming back for more.
What are the key ingredients in Nashville Hot Sauce BWW?
The key ingredients in Nashville Hot Sauce BWW include a blend of spices, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne pepper. The sauce also contains a combination of hot sauce and butter, which gives it a rich and creamy texture. The exact recipe for Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a trade secret, but it is clear that the sauce is made with a careful balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors.
In addition to its unique blend of spices and ingredients, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is also notable for its thick, syrupy consistency. This makes it easy to coat wings and other menu items evenly, and it helps the sauce to stick to food without dripping off. The combination of flavor and texture makes Nashville Hot Sauce BWW a popular choice among Buffalo Wild Wings customers.
How spicy is Nashville Hot Sauce BWW?
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW has a medium to hot level of heat, depending on individual tolerance. The sauce contains a blend of spices, including cayenne pepper, which gives it a spicy kick. However, the heat level is balanced by the sweetness of the brown sugar and the richness of the butter, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.
For those who are sensitive to spice, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW may be too hot. However, for those who enjoy a little heat in their food, the sauce is likely to be a great option. Buffalo Wild Wings also offers a range of other sauces with varying levels of heat, so customers can choose the one that best suits their taste preferences.
Can I make Nashville Hot Sauce BWW at home?
While the exact recipe for Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is a trade secret, it is possible to make a similar sauce at home. To do this, you will need to combine a blend of spices, including brown sugar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, with hot sauce and butter. You can adjust the level of heat and the balance of flavors to suit your taste preferences.
There are many recipes available online that claim to replicate the flavor of Nashville Hot Sauce BWW. These recipes often involve combining common ingredients like hot sauce, butter, and spices, and then simmering the mixture until it thickens. While these recipes may not be exact replicas of the original sauce, they can help you to create a similar flavor profile at home.
Is Nashville Hot Sauce BWW available for purchase in stores?
Nashville Hot Sauce BWW is available for purchase in some locations, but it is not widely available in stores. Buffalo Wild Wings sells bottles of the sauce in some of its restaurants, and it may also be available for purchase online through the chain’s website or through third-party retailers.
However, availability and pricing may vary depending on the location and the retailer. If you are interested in purchasing Nashville Hot Sauce BWW, it is best to check with your local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant or to look for it online. You may also be able to find similar sauces or recipes that can help you to replicate the flavor of Nashville Hot Sauce BWW at home.
Can I use Nashville Hot Sauce BWW on foods other than wings?
Yes, Nashville Hot Sauce BWW can be used on a variety of foods beyond wings. The sauce is versatile and can be used to add flavor to chicken tenders, fries, burgers, and other menu items. Its sweet and smoky flavor profile makes it a great option for those looking to add a little excitement to their meals.
In addition to using Nashville Hot Sauce BWW as a dipping sauce, you can also use it as a marinade or a sauce for grilled meats. Simply brush the sauce onto the meat during the last few minutes of cooking, or use it as a marinade before grilling or baking. This can help to add a rich and complex flavor profile to your meals.