From Backyard Blaze to a Finger-Lickin’ Craze: How to Achieve Saucy Grilled Buffalo Wing Nirvana on your Grill.
Move over greasy bar wings and takeout trays. Today, we’re talking grilled buffalo wings, backyard barbeque morsels that will have your taste buds doing the touchdown dance. Grilling unlocks a barrage of smoky flavors and crispy, caramelized skin. You may never crave deep fried wings again. These wings were created in Wiiliamsville, a suburb of Buffalo during Dr John’s residency many year ago. They are loved by all who try them!
Gear for your Grill
Before we ignite the grill, let’s talk tools. You don’t need a Michelin-starred chef’s kitchen, just a trusty grill, some sturdy tongs and maybe a handy spray bottle for keeping flare ups under control and those wings moist. Charcoal grills offer that classic smoky depth, while gas grills provide more precise heat control. Whichever you choose, preheat to medium-high. We want sizzling not simmering.
Marinade Magic
Now, the fun part: flavor explosions! There is really no “recipe” for wings. You can go classic with a simple dry rub of salt, pepper and paprika. Are you more of a saucy person? Go with your favorite wing sauce. Combos such as chili-lime, garlic parmesan, or even a sweet and spicy sriracha glaze are all great ideas to elevate the flavor of your wings. This recipe is better than any store bought sauce we have tried. Remember, dry wings are happy wings. Pat them dry before any marinade magic, or you’ll kiss crispy skin goodbye. Do not be afraid to experiment! The bolder the rub, the less sauce you’ll need later.
Taming the Flames
With your grill roaring and wings prepped, it’s showtime. Arrange your wings in a single layer, no overcrowding. We want even charring, and crispy skin. Give them a good sear on each side, about 5-7 minutes per round, then settle them down to medium heat and let them cook through. Cooking time will depend on how hot your grill is. A meat thermometer is your grilling BFF. 165°F internal temperature is the golden ticket to juicy, safe wings.
The Grand Finale– How to Finish Grilled Wings
Now, the ultimate question: naked and crispy or saucy and glorious? If you’re team crispy, sprinkle with a touch of sea salt, or your favorite rub and dig in. For team sauce, brush or dip your wings in your favorite concoction – buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, the possibilities are endless! The sauce provided below is simple to prepare and fantastic! Just remember, don’t drown them if you desire a crispy skin. You can brush the sauce on, or go old school and toss them in a large bowl with your sauce of choice.
Bonus Round: How to Up Your Grilled Wings Game
- Two-step to Crispy Heaven: Grill the wings for a few minutes per side, then finish them off in a preheated oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes. This double whammy guarantees skin so crispy it practically sings.
- Smoky Surprise: precook your wings in a smoker beforehand. Don’t have a smoker, Add a few soaked wood chips to your charcoal or grill for an extra layer of smoky depth. Hickory for a touch of bacon, mesquite for a bolder punch, or experiment with fruit woods like apple or cherry for a sweeter twist.
Grilled buffalo wings recipe
As noted above, there is no actual recipe for grilled wings. However, if you require a bit more structure than the basic framework we provide above, check out the recipe card below for our grilled wings recipe and sauce.
By grilling the wings, in addition to reduced fat and calories, we can also prepare a larger portion and add additional layers of flavor on the grill that isn’t possible once they are dumped in the fryer. Think additional dry rubs and layers of carmelized sauce on the wing.
Are grilled buffalo wings healthy?
Deep fried Buffalo wings are one of the unhealthiest appetizers you can consume. The grilled version are not deep fried, therefore, reducing the calorie and fat content. We all know wings aren’t good for us, but they are delicious and are integral to watching sports. This recipe is a delicious way to eat wings with less guilt and calories, but we wouldn’t call them healthy.
Winging It to Victory
There you have it, folks! Your backyard has been transformed into a wing-slinging wonderland. Serve with dips, veggies, or even a side of blue cheese dressing for the ultimate indulgence. Remember, grilling is all about having fun, so relax, crank up the tunes, and most importantly, savor every finger-lickin’ bite.
Enjoy this Recipe?
Thanks for visiting our site. If you enjoyed this recipe please give it five stars below. Also let us know how it came out in the comments below. This helps make our content visible to others who may enjoy our recipes.
If you would like to see more of our recipes, the links below will direct you to our most recent content. Better yet, consider subscribing below to be notified whenever we post something new to our blog. Subscribing only requires your email so it only takes seconds to complete.
- Gameday Menu NFL Divisional Round 2025
- Wild card Weekend 2025 Gameday Recipes
- Our Italian and Latin Christmas Feast
- 9 Christmas Appetizer Ideas and Desserts
- Simple, Healthy & Hearty 3 Bean Soup Recipe
Dr John’s Saucy Grilled Chicken Wings
4
servings20
minutes20
minutesGrilled wings, crispy and caramelized skin. All the taste without the frying.
Ingredients
36 wings, cut off third piece with no meat
1/2 Cup Cajun spice rub, or your preference
- Sauce
1/3 Cup Crystal, franks or favorite hot sauce
1/4 Stick Butter
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup honey
Directions
- Rinse the wings then pat dry. Sprinkle with Cajun spiced rub. Let sit for an hour or two.
- Combine the sauce ingredients in saucepan to create the sauce. Reduce so thickened. like it HOT? Add some habanero sauce. Option, purchase the sauce you desire and skip this step. Teriyaki, Thai, cilantro lime, the options are endless.
- Preheat the grill to medium high. place the wings on the grill and let them cook for 5-6 minutes. The time will depend on how hot your grill is. Flip wings and lightly coat with sauce. Continue to flip but allow to cook and crisp. They are done at 165F.
- Remove wings from grill and place into a large metal bowl. Cover with sauce and toss to coat.
Notes
- As an Amazon affiliate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
- To save time, feel free to use a favorite store bought sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @Thefiftiesfightclub on Instagram and hashtag it with #Duelingweberslive
Like this recipe?
Follow @Thefiftiesfightclub on Pinterest
