Best Nashville Hot Sauce Recipe [vegan, super easy]

This Nashville Hot Sauce is made from cayenne pepper, vegan butter, white vinegar, plus a special seasoning mix. It has the right amount of heat and sweetness, comes together really fast, and is naturally vegan.

I’m a big fan of hot sauces and I already made different versions of this condiment.

Check out my recipes for a homemade Buffalo Sauce, the Wing Sauce, or my Sweet Chili Sauce. 

Those are staples in my household and this Nashville Hot Sauce is a seriously amazing addition. What makes it really stand out is the perfect balance between sweet and savory because you really can taste the heat and the sweetness.

What makes this the best Nashville Hot Sauce recipe

What makes this recipe stand out over others is not only how easy its preparation is or how versatile it is in its uses as a marinade, seasoning for deep frying, or as a dipping sauce with french fries.

Even better are the flavors of the Nashville Hot Sauce, created from the key ingredients of the savory spices smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

You will learn the perfect way to prepare this spicy sauce with step-by-step pictures. I find that a big advantage of this Nashville Hot Sauce is made without a flour mixture or cornstarch.

This recipe delivers a big flavor but at the same time is budget-friendly.

What is Nashville Hot Sauce made of?

For my version of the regional hot sauce you need:

• Vegan butter
• Brown sugar
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• White vinegar

What is the difference between Nashville and Buffalo sauce?

Nashville and Buffalo sauces are both popular in American cuisine, particularly in the realm of spicy chicken dishes. However, they have distinct flavor profiles and origins. Here are the key differences between Nashville and Buffalo sauce:

Nashville hot sauce is said to have originated in Nashville, Tennessee, and is closely associated with hot chicken, a local specialty. It’s known for its fiery heat and intense spiciness. On the other hand, buffalo sauce, also known as buffalo wing sauce, originated in Buffalo, New York. It’s primarily used for buffalo chicken wings and typically has a milder heat level compared to Nashville sauce.

In terms of flavor profile, Nashville sauce is known for its bold, fiery, and often smoky taste. It’s made up of a combination of cayenne pepper, chili powder, and other spices that can give it a sweet and tangy undertone. In contrast, buffalo sauce is tangy and buttery, with a mild to medium level of heat. It’s typically made with a base of hot sauce, butter, and vinegar, resulting in a balanced flavor profile.

Nashville hot sauce is known for its intense heat, ranging from moderately spicy to extremely hot, depending on how it’s prepared. The heat is a defining characteristic of this sauce. Meanwhile, buffalo sauce is generally less spicy than Nashville sauce, providing a moderate heat that complements the other flavors in the sauce without overwhelming them.

When it comes to usage, Nashville hot sauce is often used as a glaze or marinade for fried chicken, creating the famous Nashville hot chicken. It can also be used on other fried or grilled meats, as well as in sandwiches and burgers. Buffalo sauce, on the other hand, is most commonly used for coating chicken wings to create classic buffalo wings. It’s also used in various appetizers and dips and as a flavoring for other chicken dishes, like chicken tenders.

How to make Nashville Hot Sauce

The key to making Nashville Hot Sauce is preparing the butter base. For this, in a pot or casserole, melt vegan butter. Add cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, white vinegar, and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Whisk it all together and keep stirring until the sauce begins to simmer.

Let it cool down a bit, then give it into a jar or serve immediately over your favorite dish.

I like to serve it over vegan chicken cubes, which I fried before, delicious.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks. Make sure to let the hot sauce cool to room temperature before.

Tips and recommendations

You can use vegetable oil like canola or grapeseed oil instead of vegan butter, but I really like the buttery flavor. 

Need more spice? The best thing about this easy recipe is how very easy it is to adjust the spicy kick you get of it by changing the amount of cayenne pepper. For example, add an extra 1 Tbsp of cayenne pepper. Or try with some extra red chili powder.

But if you are sensitive to heat, I recommend you use less cayenne pepper and go for more brown sugar to create a milder flavor.

What to serve with Nashville Hot Sauce

• Pickles
• Bread
• Creamy Mac and Cheese 
• Coleslaw
• Cauliflower Wings 

As always, if you try my Nashville Hot Sauce, tag me on Instagram or Facebook with a snapped picture.

Cheers, Florian.