Want to jazz up your boring chicken wings? Let me introduce you to the Asian Zing Sauce - a bold, flavor-packed sauce made with garlic, ginger, and a hint of sweetness. This copycat recipe from Buffalo Wild Wings is perfect for tossing with wings for game day or drizzling over grilled veggies!
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If I ever crave crispy, delicious chicken wings on Game Day, I head right to Buffalo Wild Wings!
Their selection of sauces is always impressive, and one that stands out is their Asian Zing Sauce. It's packed with flavor and just the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Luckily, my curiosity got the best of me (as usual), and I decided to try making it at home!
Now, this isn't the first time I've made a copycat sauce at home. I've made:
And it was exactly the same, so I knew I could copycat this Asian wing sauce at home... and I did it!
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- The perfect balance between sweet and spicy.
- The combination of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili pepper flakes creates a bold wing flavor.
- Can be used for so much more than just wings! Use it as a dip for veggies or spread it over grilled meats.
- Super easy to make and requires only 9 ingredients.
What is Asian Zing Sauce?
Asian Zing Sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce typically served at Buffalo Wild Wings. The sauce has a tomato base with added layers of flavor from garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
It's perfect for tossing with chicken wings but can also be used as a dip or marinade for other meats.
Key ingredients
Let's take a closer look at some of the key ingredients needed to make this Asian Zing wing sauce.
Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich base, ensuring the sauce has a silky-smooth consistency.
Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and a savory touch, perfectly balancing the sweetness.
Chili Pepper Flakes: Introduce an exciting heat that brings all the flavors together beautifully, giving the sauce its signature zing!
Heather's helpful hints
- Make sure to sauté the onion and garlic slowly to bring out their sweetness without burning them.
- Give the final mix a few pulses in a food processor for that smooth and creamy texture everyone loves.
Step-by-step instructions
The entire recipe is below and can be printed to save for later. But, before you get there, let's walk through it step-by-step so you understand what you're doing beforehand.
Step 1
Melt the butter in a skillet, then sauté the onion and garlic until they're see-through. About 5 minutes will do the trick!
Step 2
Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, white wine vinegar, ginger, and chili pepper flakes.
Step 3
Stir everything and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step 4
Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then place it in a food processor. Pulse until you have a smooth sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
- Kid-Friendly: Skip the chili pepper flakes for a milder sauce that's perfect for little ones.
- Spices: Experiment with a splash of lime juice or sriracha for an extra kick!
- Gluten-Free: Swap out regular soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative like tamari to ensure everyone can enjoy.
Make ahead and storage
You can make this Asian Zing sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It holds up well when frozen, too, making it convenient to use whenever you crave a flavor punch.
To freeze it, pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container and label it with the date. It can stay frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or heat it on low in a saucepan.
Equipment
No special equipment needed! Just a skillet and food processor, which you probably already have at home. However, if you prefer a smoother texture, I recommend using an immersion blender instead of a food processor.
Meal ideas
This Asian Zing sauce was originally made for chicken wings, but don't let that limit you! It's incredibly delicious when used in other ways as well. I love making chicken wings in the air fryer and adding the sauce.
Here are some more creative ideas for toppings!
- Toss it with stir-fried veggies for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Swap out the wings for your favorite chicken tenders or nuggets and a side of creamy coleslaw.
- Use it as a marinade for grilled meats or tofu.
- Dip homemade egg rolls or sushi in it.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Simply reduce or leave out the chili pepper flakes to suit your spice level.
No, you can substitute it with tomato sauce and tomato paste if you'd like.
Yes, this sauce is completely vegetarian and a great way to add bold flavors to plant-based dishes.
Related recipes
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Recipe
Asian Zing Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for approximately 5 minutes until translucent
- Add remaining ingredients and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. The mixture will thicken slightly.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then pour it into a food processor. Pulse until smooth, then transfer into a jar for storage.
Jeremy says
This tastes nothing like asian zing sauce.
Heather says
Hi there, I’m so sorry to hear this one didn’t taste like the Asian Zing sauce for you—I know how disappointing that can be when you’re hoping for that exact match! I’ve been working on several recipes and making edits over time to get the copycat flavors just right. If you’re open to it, I’d love to hear what you think was missing or different so I can keep improving it.
Dave says
Simple and spot on. I made no changes to the recipe.
Heather says
Glad you liked this, Dave!