What Sauces Does Wingstop Have & How Hot Are They?
If you crave wings, Wingstop is the place to go and “stop for wings,” and as a huge Wingstop fan myself, I often treat myself to their delicious food. Their wings are of proven quality, and they are the basis for their reputation. What always sparks my curiosity are their sauces and dry rubs, which is an everlasting discussion and research topic for me.
They’re known for the impeccable quality of the wings and the 13 pungent, bold, and explosive flavors of their sauces and dry rubs. Although I was already a regular, I hadn’t tried all the flavors — UNTIL NOW. For my research, I tasted all of the flavors they offer, and in this article, I will share my experience. So, let’s make it spicy!
Wingstop Rubs and Sauces Ranked by Heat
The reason I like this fast food place as much as I do is because it offers lots of variety. No matter what flavors you prefer, you will definitely find the perfect fit for you. Check out the selection of Wingstop sauces and rubs ranked by heat to find the best one for you.
- Atomic Sauce
- Mango Habanero Sauce
- Cajun
- Original Hot Sauce
- Spicy Korean Q
- Louisiana Rub
- Mild Sauce
- Hickory Smoked Sauce
- Lemon Pepper Dry Rub
- Garlic Parmesan Dry Rub
- Hawaiian Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Wingstop Ranch Sauce
Now, let’s see what does each of them taste like and what to pair them with.
Atomic Sauce
I decided to start this list like I started my Wingstop exploration, with the hottest one of all. Since I am not much of a fan of very hot flavors, it was kind of stressful knowing what awaited me, so I decided to take the bull by the horns and go with the final boss first.
The atomic sauce turned out to be even hotter than I expected, and I think that you should be very careful with it, even if you have high heat tolerance. Somewhere between my mouth burning and going numb at the same time, I felt a note of chili, which was far from sufficient to console my palate.
It is definitely extremely hot and spicy and only for the experienced heat-eaters. Combined with the wings, it does get a little merciful, but not by much.
It can be challenging to replicate the extreme heat of atomic sauce at home, but you can start with a base of hot sauce and add habanero or ghost pepper for extra heat. Still, it won’t be like the atomic sauce at Wingstop, but it will burn you sufficiently. I haven’t made it at home and don’t intend to, but give it a try if you are a fan.
Mango Habanero Sauce
The mango habanero sauce is another burner, but after surviving the atomic sauce, I was prepared to face this one, too. Although very hot and spicy, the mango habanero seemed more flavorful, and I could actually taste the individual notes it included.
It is a combination of sweet and spicy notes, the understated but noticeable fruity sweetness of mango, and a merciless, fiery habanero pepper heat. I recommend this one only if you are into those flavors. If you are more inclined toward milder notes, skip this one and the next few.
To make a similar sauce at home, try combining mango puree or juice with habanero hot sauce and a bit of sugar. I’ve made this one at home, and it turned out surprisingly good.
Cajun
The Cajun flavor at Wingstop is actually a combination of Louisiana rub and the original hot sauce, so it tastes a bit like both. Still, this fusion results in an original and recognizable flavor, so don’t worry; it will feel familiar but new.
I would say that this sauce is ideal for those who prefer spicy over hot. Don’t get me wrong, it still has a generous amount of heat, but it is expressively spicy and better suited for spice lovers.
I tasted a rich blend of spices, including paprika, garlic, and cayenne, which give this flavor a very delicious savory note. The wings are dipped in the original hot sauce and then sprinkled with the Louisiana rub, so let’s just call this one a flavor without labeling it as a sauce or a dry rub.
The Cajun flavor is actually pretty easy to replicate at home. Mix paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and other spices you have, and have a bottle of hot sauce ready. Dip your wings into the sauce and sprinkle the dry rub on top. Enjoy!
Original Hot Sauce
The original hot sauce is a staple on Wingstop’s menu and a permanent member of their sauce team. Even if you aren’t a fan of heat, you should try this sauce as an essential part of your experience with the brand itself.
The original hot sauce is an original twist of the classic buffalo sauce. It is equally tangy and buttery, and although it is hot, the balance is just perfect, and even those who don’t like hot notes can enjoy it very much. It is the perfect starting point if you want to start exploring sharper, hotter, and spicier flavors.
The standard recipe for a homemade buffalo sauce is butter, hot sauce, and a dash of vinegar. Feel free to tune up the quantitates and find the balance that is best for you.
Spicy Korean Q
The Korean spicy Q was a pleasant surprise for me. I expected something more restrictive and not quite for everyone, but Wingtop, once again, found a way to fuse the seemingly unmixable and create an original flavor out of two well-known tastes. Sweet and spicy with a hint of garlic and soy sauce, this sauce is equally suited for the more cautious ones who like familiar flavors, as well as for the bolder customers who like to experiment. I’d say that it is as Korean-themed as it is Western.
With its medium heat level, I found it very enjoyable, even without being too careful.
I made this one at home by combining soy sauce, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It’s not a perfect copy, but it’s still a very delicious sauce replica.
Louisiana Rub
As the name itself implies, the Louisiana rub is a dry rub, not sauce, and a very edgy one, too. It captures the warm and vibrant Southern flavor, which I love, and it creates an entirely different experience, a more rustic one, I would say.
In addition to being spicy, edgy, and substantially hot, I felt notes of paprika and cayenne pepper, which are staples in Southern cuisine. If you want to familiarize yourself with the Louisiana-style flavors but don’t know where to start, I strongly advise you to order this dry rub with your wings the next time you are at Wingstop.
I make this dry rub at home pretty often by mixing paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and other Cajun spices.
Mild Sauce
The mild sauce is, essentially, a milder version of the original hot sauce. It has the same charm, spices, and leading flavors with significantly lower heat levels. Interestingly enough, some of my fellow fast-food enthusiasts would describe this sauce as not hot at all, while I can swear that it is. I guess whether or not the mild sauce will taste hot to you is your heat tolerance level.
Other than mild, it is also tangy and buttery.
To make it at home, follow the recipe for the original hot sauce, but reduce the heat-providing ingredients.
Hickory Smoked Sauce
The Wingstop’s hickory-smoked BBQ sauce is among my favorites for its rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor. I’ve had it many times, and each time, it astonishes me with its deliciousness. Its pronounced smoky note makes it good enough to just smear it on a piece of toast and have a complete meal.
It combines the smokiness of hickory with hints of sweetness and tanginess, all wrapped up in a savory and satisfying sauce. It is mild, so you can have as much as you want.
I usually combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and perhaps Worcestershire sauce or mustard for a homemade version of this sauce. Still, the smoky note always lacks because you need liquid smoke to create it.
Lemon Pepper Dry Rub
The lemon pepper dry rub is the most popular dry rub at Wingstop, and many seem to find it synonymous with the place. I would definitely place it among my top five favorite dry rubs ever! Seemingly, there’s nothing special about it, just pepper and lemon; it may even sound unappealing, but when you try it, you will get convinced of the opposite.
This dry rub is a blend of zesty lemon and black pepper with a citrusy and mildly spicy seasoning. It is pretty out there, taking over the flavor area dominating the story, but it isn’t overwhelmingly strong, which I love.
Mix lemon zest, black pepper, and a pinch of salt to make it at home.
Garlic Parmesan Dry Rub
The garlic parmesan dry rub is another one of my all-time favorite dry rubs, and I strongly recommend you try it. It is pungent and strong but also creates a creamy and flavorful coating over your wings. It is especially rich and transfers that dimension onto the food.
Mix garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese, and dried herbs to make your own garlic parmesan dry rub at home.
Since this sauce isn’t hot at all, it’s perfect for those who like strong and expressive flavors but aren’t that big fans of heat and spiciness.
Hawaiian Sauce
The Hawaiian sauce is the mildest of the Wingstop sauces and rubs and is perfect for you if you want to add flavor to your wings without overpowering the natural meat flavor.
It tastes sweet and tangy with slight tropical notes of pineapple and hints of soy sauce.
This sauce is a little tricky to replicate at home, but try mixing pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar and see what happens.
Teriyaki Sauce
Wingstop’s teriyaki sauce is an authentic interpretation of the original teriyaki sauce. It is sweet and savory with a soy sauce base, bursting with umami notes. Still, I’d say that this isn’t a sauce for every palate, and you will either love it or hate it.
I happen to dig the umami flavor, so this teriyaki sauce is a finger-licking experience for me. It is flavorful and mild and pairs perfectly with Wingstop’s wings.
You can make your own teriyaki sauce at home by combining soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and ginger.
Wingstop Ranch Sauce
The creamy and tangy Wingstop ranch sauce is ideal for you if you like classic, familiar, and light flavors, avoiding all the fuss but still getting enough flavor to satisfy your taste buds. I love its gentle and refreshing side that makes my wings incredibly delicious.
Making it at home is pretty easy. Just mix mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, herbs, and spices. Adjust the ingredient quantities to your taste and enjoy!
How Big Are Wingstop Sauces?
Wingstop has three sauce sizes — individual cups, small containers, and large containers. The small cups or containers usually hold a single serving of sauce and are typically enough for dipping a single order. The large containers are for larger orders or catering purposes and hold several ounces for a bigger meal.
Does Wingstop Sell Their Sauces?
Although Wingstop doesn’t typically sell their sauces to customers to buy retail, some Wingstop locations may sell small containers of their sauces for takeout orders or as part of combo meals. These containers are meant for immediate consumption and aren’t usually available for separate purchase.
Which Wingstop sauce is your number one? I would love to read about how you combine it in your orders, so make sure to hit the comments below!
