Creamy, tangy with a spicy bite to it! This pistachio buffalo cream sauce is quick and easy to make and great on everything from tacos to burgers!
This super quick and easy sauce has become one of my favorite ways to mix it up with my adoration of hot sauce! It’s no secret, I LOVE hot sauce. My husband thinks I have a certified addiction and has often told me I need intervention, typical reaction from a hot sauce hater.
He thinks that I’m burning the baby in my belly by all that I eat. I put it on everything! Literally…I don’t know if I can survive without it. What do you mean that’s the definition of addiction?! I don’t have a problem, it’s totally normal to need hot sauce with every meal.
In fact, my body tolerates it so well, I can eat it even during pregnancy with no complications. In fact, I get heartburn if I don’t have it! So in my book, if my body likes it, then it’s as necessary as water. Which reminds me, I should probably work on drinking more to help balance out the sodium in the hot sauce 😉
So in my quest to find new and inventive ways to incorporate this amazing condiment into my diet, I came across the idea of creating a vegan creamy version. I didn’t like the idea of cashews, as they are too sweet.
Even my cashew walnut cream just didn’t hit the nail on the head. And then in the midst of my “creating with pistachios obsession” (okay maybe I do get into just a few obsessive stages), the light bulb went off and BAM, pistachio cream was born.
Pistachios are the perfect nut to accompany buffalo sauce. The rich flavors of both go together like peanut butter and jelly. I LOVE the combo and I know you will too!
So go put those pistachios on your shopping list and make this. You won’t regret it! And just wait until you see what it’s going on next…you will die!!! Stay tuned for something mouthwatering!
As always, I love comments on the blog if you make it, so make sure to let me know! You can also tag me on Instagram at veggiesdontbite #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss it! Hope you enjoy!
- 1 cup raw unsalted pistachios
- 2 tablespoons - ¼ cup buffalo cayenne pepper type hot sauce like Franks (depending on how spicy you like it)
- 1/2-1 cup water if needed, depending on how much buffalo sauce you use and how thin or thick you want it
- Soak pistachios overnight to soften, especially if not using a high speed blender. Pistachios are fairly soft without soaking, but this will yield a smoother and fluffier sauce.
- Place ingredients into a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Douse everything you eat with it. It's amazing!
You can also use roasted pistachios but you may get a slightly different taste. Make sure they are unsalted though as the cayenne pepper sauce has plenty of salt and it will be much too salty with both.
bscartabello says
Oh yeah… I have raw pistachios and Frank’s Red Hot. Totally making this.
veggiesdontbite says
Awesome!! Make sure to tell me how you like it!!
The Vegan 8 says
You know I’m a hot sauce addict too, lol! I love pistachios too! You gotta try Richa’s spicy mustard sauce too, omg! I just created a large batch last night, but I changed it up a bit because I’m creating a new recipe inspired by it (added some garlic, apple cider vinegar, water instead of milk, etc.) but it’s one of my favorite dips I’ve ever tasted. I was up late last night eating it, lol! Once I run out, I’ll have to try this! I am real picky about ingredient lists on premade stuff, is the ingredient list clean on buffalo hot sauce? I’m curious, because I’ve never bought any. Thanks!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! Yes, I’ve wanted to try Richa’s as well but we arent really dijon mustard fans. I am the only one that likes it certain ways, and I think I’d like it here but the rest don’t like it at all. But I will try it for me at some point for sure because spicy gets me every time! Im pretty picky myself when I buy premade stuff. The Original Franks is pure and simple: Aged Cayenne Red Peppers, Distilled Vinegar, Water, Salt And Garlic Powder. There are many other ones out there as well and I always say just read the labels. The best ones are made with all things recognizable!
The Vegan 8 says
Oh that’s awesome! Perfect ingredient list! Yes, I didn’t use Dijon mustard either, I used regular mustard and added a couple of my own flavorings. It was tangy and spicy and super creamy…I’m imagining yours would taste as awesome since it’s creamy and spicy with hot sauce too, just without the mustard flavor. I love it all!! I’m intrigued to try pistachios as well because I’m used to cashews or other nut butters, so I bet this would be a nice change up.
veggiesdontbite says
That’s exactly why I tried experimenting with pistachios! A super nice change up! I have always loved pistachios so why not puree them into cream? Lol! And good to know about the regular mustard. Will have to try soon!
tee bone says
I’ve never seen raw pistachios…after do you get yours?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi there! I sometimes get mine online. But I’ve also seen them at a few local places in the bulk bins. My local Sprouts has them. You can try Amazon or Vitacost! But if you use roasted it would work as well, just a slightly different taste. Just make sure they are unsalted.
tee bone says
Thanks…no Sprouts so I’ll try online…can’t wait to try this…& the onion rings to do in this!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Awesome! Let me know when you do!
tee bone says
Where…not after…Sorry
Be Sol-Ful says
I’ll have to look for raw unsalted…haven’t seen them around. Like I said on your IG post, I’m pretty sure I could eat this with a spoon 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Oh I do! HA! Yes, the raw unsalted are harder to find, I get mine online on Amazon or Vitacost but also find them in the bulk bins at Sprouts. But you could use the roasted as well with similar results, just make sure they are unsalted or you will get way too much salt in the dip. Let me know if you try it!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
So, I made this tonight and it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I honestly wanted to drink it with a straw – it’s that good!! The pistachios give the sauce such a delicious and rich flavour 🙂 We used this sauce on pizza instead of vegan cheese and also as a pizza dip!! Thanks for the great recipe! Oh and the only change that I made was the I used roasted pistachios because that’s what I had on hand! Delicious!
veggiesdontbite says
SO AWESOME!!! I’m so happy you guys liked it…told you it could actually be soup, lol! And using the roasted pistachios is fine, I know the raw are hard to find. I put it on everything, especially pizza!!
Danielle says
Could this be made with either cashews or almonds? Unfortunately those are the only two kinds of nuts I can have.
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Danielle! YES! Use almonds. I bet it would be delicious! Let me know how it turns out!
Danielle says
Will do!! I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you.
Tanya says
Oh my! This sounds DELICIOUS! I have some local Persian grocery stores nearby that are a goldmine for fresh, raw and reasonably priced pistachios…. I must head there soon to stock up!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Tanya! It really is so good. I hope you like it! Lucky you that you have such great access to the pistachios!
Emily Kemp says
I had no idea you could make such a thick and creamy sauce from pistachios!