Dry Buffalo Wings using the Vortex

I love cooking wings on my charcoal grill using the Vortex. I always get crispy, moist, tender wings. The meat has a slight smokiness to it. They have a great grilled flavor that I don’t want to hide with a bunch of sauce or seasoning. But a little added flavor is a good thing. That’s why I love my dry Buffalo wings using the Vortex. I have total control on how much seasoning I add.

Dry Buffalo Wings using the Vortex

Crispy Skin. Still.

One of the great things about dry Buffalo wings using the Vortex is that the skin stays crispy. You don’t always get that with sauced wings. I think dry wings are a great thing. They’re always a welcome change from sauced wings.

No Sugar Zone

I recommend not using any kind of seasoning containing sugar. The high heat of the Vortex may cause it to burn. If you really want that sweetness, add the seasoning only after the wings have cooked. You can just use salt and pepper for seasoning during cooking.

Want More Smoke?

If you want your wings to have a bit more smokiness to them, and not just what you get from the charcoal, add a chunk of wood over the center of the Vortex. Do it early on, not long after you’ve lit the charcoal, to give the wood time to catch on and start generating smoke. If you think you’re getting more smoke than you want, just remove the wood chunk. Make sure you put it somewhere non-combustible as it will smolder for a long time!

Also try my duck fat chicken wings using the Vortex.

Dry Buffalo Wings using the Vortex
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5 from 1 vote

Dry Buffalo Wings using the Vortex

Perfect wings every time.
Prep Time3 hours
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 80kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the wings into a large resealable container or baggie.
  • Add the oil and half of the seasoning. Seal and shake to coat well.
  • Refrigerate for 3 hours.
  • Place the Vortex into the center of your grill. Open the bottom vents on your grill by 1/3, while keeping the top vent open completely.
  • Light a charcoal chimney full of charcoal. Alternatively, you can fill your Vortex with charcoal and light them inside the unit.
  • Let the charcoal get fully ashed over then add to the Vortex.
  • Add the chicken. For the flats have the skin side up, and for the drumettes keep the meaty part away from the fire.
  • Close the grill and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Rotate the lid 90 degrees and cook for another 15 minutes.
  • Flip the wings. Rotate the lid another 90 degrees and cook 15 more minutes.
  • Check if the wings are as crispy as you like. If not, rotate the lid another 90 degrees and cook another 15 minutes.
  • Transfer wings to a bowl and toss with more of the seasoning.

Notes

I’ve not found that rotating the grill has any effect on how great this wings turn out. So don’t sweat it if you forget to do it.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Iron: 0.002mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

TGI Fridays Buffalo Wing Sauce Wings

I’ve always been a fan of Buffalo wings so I’m always up for trying an already-made Buffalo wing sauce, especially since there are so many different ones. I picked up a bottle of TGI Fridays Buffalo wing sauce and quickly got to making a batch of wings. This is not a thick Buffalo wing sauce, but instead it’s quite thin. A bottle goes a long, long way. It’s a mild sauce so you get great Buffalo-style flavors but without a lot of spiciness. I would say it’s a good  standard Buffalo wing sauce, perfect for a crowd since you don’t have to worry about it being too hot.

TGI Fridays Buffalo Wings

A Real Crowd Pleaser

TGI Friday’s Buffalo wing sauce isn’t just great on wings, either. It makes for a perfect dipping sauce for chicken fingers or nuggets. If the sauce is too thin just warm it in a sauce pan. Then whisk in just a bit of flour. Not much, but just enough to thicken it up.

Also try Whole Food’s organic Nashville wing sauce wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

TGI Fridays Buffalo Wings
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5 from 1 vote

TGI Fridays Buffalo Wing Sauce Wings

This is a mild sauce so you get great Buffalo-style flavors but without a lot of spiciness.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Lillie’s Q Honey Gold Tender Sauce Wings

As soon as I saw this sauce from Lillie’s Q I thought ‘wings’. The bottle says ‘tender sauce’ but hey, wings are what tenders wish they were, so I knew it’d be great on them too! Lillie’s Q Honey Gold Tender sauce wings are crazy good. The sauce is just lightly mustard-y. Too much mustard can be a bad thing. It gets up your nose and all of a sudden you’re not in wing heaven any more. This sauce balances the mustard with the perfect sweetness. No heat here, just great flavors.

Lillies Q Honey Gold Wings

The Perfect Mustardy Balance

So just to make sure, I actually also had the sauce on side for dipping some chicken nuggets. Not ‘boneless chicken wings’, there’s no such thing. Oh don’t let me get started on that! Nuggets. And yep, fantastic for those too! I figured it would be! But truth is, Lillie’s Q Honey Gold Tender Sauce wings are fantastic no matter how you use the sauce.

Also try Lillie’s Q white BBQ sauce wings! They’re great!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Lillie's Q Honey Gold Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Lillie’s Q Honey Gold Tender Sauce Wings

This sauce balances the mustard with the perfect sweetness.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: honey, mustard, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

June Moon Nashville Wing Sauce Wings

For me, June Moon Nashville wing sauce wings are like a sweet version of one of my favorite things to eat, Nashville hot chicken. Not quite as spicy as you can get, but packed with plenty of cayenne heat and flavor. Add a bit of honey and brown sugar to tame that heat a bit and offset the earthiness from the pepper. These are mighty good wings, and ones that I enjoyed immensely. I’m a big fan of Nashville hot chicken, and although this isn’t the thick lard-based paste you get on the real thing, this sauce reminds me a lot of the African-inspired dish.

June Moon Nashville Wings

Tremendous Flavor without a lot of Heat

I wasn’t shy with the sauce when I made some June Moon Nashville wing sauce wings. I sampled the sauce right out of the bottle as soon as I opened it and knew I was in for a treat. So, no messing around. I added some to my right-out-of-the-air-fryer wings and tossed them good. Then I added a bit more and tossed some more. I really enjoyed the heavy cayenne flavor.

Also try some June Moon parmesan garlic wing sauce wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

June Moon Nashville Wings
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5 from 1 vote

June Moon Nashville Wing Sauce Wings

These are mighty good wings, and ones that I enjoyed immensely.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Nashville hot, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wing Sauce Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings has had a hot Buffalo wing sauce on their menu for some time. This isn’t that. This is more. More heat. Much more. And yet, it tastes great. The heat is strong, it almost overpowers the flavor, but it doesn’t. I actually really, really enjoyed it which surprised me because I’m not usually into overly hot sauces. If this sauce was just about the heat I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much.

Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wings

Spicy. Hot. I warned you.

Buffalo Wild Wings Wild wing sauce sauce is not the for faint of heart. But I’d urge you to ask your waitstaff for a taste next time you’re at a BW3s. Or just order a bottle and take the plunge in the privacy of your own home. Remember, it’s not as embarrassing to scream “OMG! That’s hot!” at home.

I keep a bottle of this sauce on hand for any time I run across a recipe (such as my Buffalo Turkey burgers) that calls for Buffalo wing sauce.

For some Asian-inspired wings, try Buffalo Wild Wing’s Orange Chicken wing sauce wings too!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wing Sauce Wings

I actually really, really enjoyed it which surprised me because I'm not usually into overly hot sauces.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, spicy, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Palace Sauce Lemon Pepper Wing Sauce Wings

I am not one to click on ads on social media. Like most people, I scroll on, never even noticing. Except this time. I saw an ad for new (to me) wing sauces from a place called the Wing Palace out of Jacksonville, FL. The sauces looked absolutely yummy in the pics. I had to. So I did. I ordered two bottles of each of their flavors. Once they arrived I quickly made a batch of wings and tossed them with the lemon pepper wing sauce. My oh my oh my goodness me! What a great wing sauce! Not too lemony, not too peppery, but spot-on great! Think Buffalo wing sauce consistency, with that underlying butter flavor.

Palace Sauce Lemon Pepper Wings

A Fantastic Lemon Pepper Wing Sauce

Man, look at those wings and lemon pepper wing sauce. Yeah, they were good. Really good. I should hang a picture of those wings in my living room. Above the fireplace. They deserve to be seen as much as devoured!

Pick up some Palace sauces. You’ll never regret it. Their spicy garlic wing sauce is also amazing.

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Palace Sauce Lemon Pepper Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Palace Sauce Lemon Pepper Wing Sauce Wings

Man, look at those wings and lemon pepper sauce. Yeah, they were good. Really good.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon pepper, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Moore’s Asian Teriyaki Wing Sauce Wings

Whoa back up the truck to teriyaki yumminess! We both loved the heck out Moore’s Asian Teriyaki wing sauce. Though the bottle says you can use the sauce on anything from vegetables to stir-fry to whatever, the sauce was amazing on wings. Not overly sweet as teriyaki sauce can sometimes be. Not overloaded with soy sauce or ginger. Just flat-out perfect teriyaki flavors.

Moore's Asian Teriyaki Wings

Don’t Drown Your Wings

I made sure to not overly sauce my wings. Some places you buy wings at like to bury their wings in sauce, usually to hide skimpy thin wings. Not me. I use the big wings and I want to taste the wings too, not just the sauce. Even if that sauce is delicious like Moore’s Asian Teriyaki wing sauce!

Remember that if you have to refrigerate your open bottle of wing sauce to let it sit out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before using. You don’t want to ‘shock’ hot, just-cooked wings with a cold sauce.

Also try some delicious Moore’s blue cheese Buffalo wing sauce wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Moore's Asian Teriyaki Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Moore’s Asian Teriyaki Wing Sauce Wings

Though the bottle says you can use the sauce on anything from vegetables to stir-fry to whatever, the sauce was amazing on wings.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Asian wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Kroger Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce Wings

I’ve said it before. If you’re standing in the wing sauce section of the grocery store, trying to decide on the next sauce you’re going to grab for a great batch of wings, do not hesitate to try the store brand. I was at Kroger, and I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed one each of every one of their sauces, including the Kroger Mild Buffalo wing sauce. The sauce turned out to be perfect! Just a hint of heat (perfect for a party) and the perfect consistency. This is a mighty fine wing sauce, and boy, the price was right!

Kroger Mild Buffalo Wings

The Perfect Sauce For Party Wings

If you by chance end up with any leftover Kroger mild Buffalo wing sauce, toss it in the fridge. Make sure you warm it a bit (at least to room temperature) before using it on your next batch of wings. Nothing makes hot wings sad faster than tossing them in cold wing sauce!

You’ll want to make some Kroger parmesan garlic wing sauce wings too!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Kroger Mild Buffalo Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Kroger Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce Wings

The sauce turned out to be perfect! Just a hint of heat and the perfect consistency.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, mild, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wing Sauce Wings

You know that feeling when you’re going up that first hill in a roller coaster? You’re asking yourself “Why, oh why, did I do this?” That’s how I am sometimes right before trying a new ‘hot’ wing sauce. Will it be so hot that I scream? Or will it be so mild that I am disappointed? Well, Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot wing sauce is like the best coaster ride ever. Just the right amount of heat. And so tasty good! I was so happily surprised at how much I loved how great this hot wing sauce is!

Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wings

A Smile-Worthy Wing Sauce

I’m going to say it again because I’m smiling writing this post, flashing back: I absolutely love Kosmos Q Store. I thought the heat level was perfect. I thought the flavor was perfect. My fear was completely unfounded. This is a wonderful sauce.

Remember to set any refrigerated wing sauces out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before using. You don’t want to ‘shock’ hot, just-cooked wings with a cold sauce.

Also try Kosmos Q chili lime wing dust wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wing Sauce Wings

This is a wonderful sauce.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, spicy, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

House of Wings Southern Wing Sauce Wings

Alliger’s House of Wings sauces are incredible. They set the bar high. So high that I’m spoiled by every sauce I’ve had. Like this House of Wings Southern wing sauce. It’s a different flavor than your traditional ‘normal’ wing sauces. It’s got a bit of spiciness to it, but not too much. The spices are unique and quite honestly I had a hard time figuring out what they were. But I do know it’s a fantastic sauce and it would also make a fantastic marinade for chicken.

House of Wings Southern Wings

Differently Delicious

The cool thing about House of Wings sauces (besides the fact that they are delicious) is that you can combine them and make new flavors. For delicious Mexican-inspired wings, combine one part southern sauce and one part nuclear sauce. Or you can just enjoy them straight-up right out of the bottle, like this House of Wings Southern wing sauce!

Also try House of Wings BBQ wing sauce wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

House of Wings Southern Wings
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

House of Wings Southern Wing Sauce Wings

This is a fantastic sauce and it would also make a fantastic marinade for chicken.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cajun wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.