Is RedHot Wings Sauce Hot Buffalo Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing whether a sauce fits a vegan lifestyle, we look beyond the obvious peppers and vinegar. The devil is in the details, specifically in the flavor enhancers. Here is a breakdown of the key ingredients in RedHot Wings Sauce Hot Buffalo and why they matter.

The primary base of the sauce is distilled vinegar and aged cayenne red peppers. These are entirely plant-based and provide the signature tang and heat. However, the texture is maintained using xanthan gum, a common thickener produced by fermentation of sugar, which is safe for vegans. The controversy lies in the flavoring agents.

The ingredient list includes natural butter type flavor. In the food science world, this is a standard way to label dairy flavoring without explicitly writing 'milk.' This ingredient is what transforms standard hot sauce into a 'Buffalo' style sauce, mimicking the richness of the butter usually whisked into homemade versions. Because this is derived from milk, it renders the product non-vegan.

Additionally, the sauce contains natural flavor. While this term is vague, in the context of Buffalo sauces, it often hides non-vegan elements like yeast extract or animal-derived hydrolysates to boost savory notes. Combined with the butter flavor, the verdict remains a hard no for strict vegans.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, RedHot Wings Sauce Hot Buffalo is relatively low in calories, with a serving size of one tablespoon containing roughly 25 to 30 calories. The fat content is minimal, usually under 1 gram, coming mostly from the canola oil added for emulsion. This makes it a much lighter option than creamy ranch or blue cheese dressings, which can pack over 100 calories per tablespoon.

However, the sodium content is high, which is typical for shelf-stable condiments. A single serving contains approximately 200mg of sodium. While this adds to the flavor profile, those on a low-sodium diet should monitor their intake. There are zero grams of sugar and zero grams of protein per serving. It fits well within a calorie-deficit diet, provided you can tolerate the heat and the sodium.