Red Robin Buzz sauce is a tangy, roasted red pepper sauce with sweet and sour flavors. Though it has a touch of heat, it isn’t considered a spicy sauce.
Think subtle kick rather than a 3-alarm fire.
And though you can buy a bottled version of this famous sauce in supermarkets, I’ve had a lot of requests about how to make it at home.
So I’ve put together an authentic Red Robin Buzz sauce recipe with all the great flavor of the original.
Though it takes a little longer to prepare, you’ll forget all about the effort once you take that first bite.
Red Robin Buzz sauce turns the ordinary into the extra-ordinary!
Read on for an authentic Red Robin Buzz sauce recipe you can now make in the comfort of your own kitchen.
What Do You Need To Make Red Robin Buzz Sauce
Ingredients
Red Bell Peppers
Roasted red pepper is the base for Red Robin Buzz sauce. Look for large, firm peppers.
Fresh Garlic
Intensifies the flavor. You can substitute garlic powder.
However, make sure you don’t use garlic salt, which will overpower your sauce.
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Unlike regular tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes have a delicious sweetness that adds another layer of flavor to the sauce.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Gives your sauce that tangy flavor.
Tomato Paste
Balances out the flavor of the roasted red peppers.
Lemon Juice
I always recommend using fresh lemons, but you can substitute two tablespoons of bottled lemon juice if fresh ones aren’t available.
Soy Sauce
Adds another dimension of flavor.
I like Kikkoman, but you can use your favorite brand.
Worcestershire Sauce
Gives the sauce some savory goodness.
Honey
A little sweetness to balance out the heat.
Celery Seed
Adds a touch of celery flavor.
Nutmeg Powder
Nutmeg has a distinctive taste and gives the sauce some exotic flavor.
Paprika
Deepens the color and taste.
Cayenne Pepper
You need some heat for an authentic-tasting Buzz sauce, but feel free to leave it out if you prefer a milder version.
Salt and Black Pepper
I recommend using coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
The salt unlocks the other flavors, but be sure you taste it, so you don’t over-season your sauce.
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Baking dish or pan
- Oven
- Blender
How To Make Red Robin Buzz Sauce
The key to a great-tasting Red Robin Buzz sauce is the roasted red peppers and garlic. Luckily, it’s easy to roast your own at home.
Step One: First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Step Two: Then peel the garlic, but leave the cloves whole. Next, quarter the red peppers and remove the seeds, pith, and stems—brush the garlic and red peppers with olive oil.
Step Three: Place the garlic and peppers (skin side facing up) in the baking dish and roast them in the oven until they start to brown, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Step Four: Remove them from the oven. Set the garlic aside and put the red peppers in a tightly-sealed plastic bag to allow the skins to loosen while they cool.
Step Five: Once the red peppers are cool, rub the plastic bag over them to loosen the skins. You want to get as much off as possible, but don’t worry if there are still a few bits of skin clinging to the peppers.
Step Six: Then, place all the ingredients in a blender. Process at a medium speed until all the ingredients are well-mixed and the sauce is smooth approximately 2-3 minutes.
Step Seven: Taste and adjust any ingredients until you have your desired flavor, and season with salt and pepper.
Step Eight: Give the sauce a final blend for 30 seconds to ensure that all the ingredients are well combined.
Step Nine: Let the sauce rest for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Step Ten: Serve hot or cold.
Enjoy!
Extra sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Other Things To Consider When Making Red Robin Buzz Sauce
You Can Adjust or Substitute Ingredients
You can substitute or vary the amount of any of the ingredients depending on what suits your tastes.
For example, if you want more heat, add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or use more honey for a sweeter sauce.
I like to add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to my sauce to give it more tang.
What Can I Eat With Red Robin Buzz Sauce?
Red Robin Buzz sauce makes a great dipping sauce for chicken wings. But don’t limit yourself.
This versatile sauce has a deep flavor profile that goes great with many of your favorite foods.
- Use it instead of buffalo sauce for burgers and fries.
- Makes a delicious dip for fresh veggies.
- Buzz sauce goes great with grilled chicken.
- You can even put it on your pizza for a zesty change.
Red Robin Buzz Sauce Recipe
This Red Robin Buzz Sauce Recipe provides the perfect tangy, sweet, and sour flavors you are looking for. Based on red bell peppers, it's a versatile sauce that pairs very well with a variety of dishes - and it's not too spicy, either!
Ingredients
- 8 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
- 3 red bell peppers
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- Juice from one lemon
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons celery seed powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Peel the garlic and quarter the red bell peppers. Brush them with a little bit of oil.
- Place the garlic and red peppers (skin side facing up) in the baking dish.
- Roast them in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they are slightly brown.
- Remove the garlic and peppers from the oven. Set the garlic aside and place the peppers in a plastic bag to allow the skins to loosen while they cool.
- Once the red peppers are cool, rub the plastic bag over them to loosen the skins. You want to get as much off as possible, but don't worry if there are still a few bits of skin clinging to the peppers.
- Place the peppers, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and the rest of the ingredients in a blender. Process at a medium speed until all the ingredients are well-mixed and the sauce is smooth approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Taste and adjust any of the ingredients until you have your desired flavor.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Blend for another 30 seconds to make sure everything is well-mixed.
- Let the sauce rest for two hours before serving.
- Serve hot or cold.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 14gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 575mgCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3g
Other Red Robin guides and recipes you may want to check out!
- Red Robin Bistro Sauce Recipe
- Red Robin Island Heat Sauce Recipe
- What Is Campfire Sauce?
- Red Robin Campfire Sauce Nutrition
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.