The $18 Pantry Find That Makes My Favorite Dishes 10x Better (Perfect for Game Days!)

For a while, I neglected to branch out when it came to condiments. I only kept a few basics on hand, like ketchup and tomato sauce, and called it a day. However, over the past couple of years, I’ve been making an effort to try a wider range of sauces and toppings, ranging from jalapeño lime hot sauce to chili crunch to Korean barbecue sauce. As you might’ve guessed: I’m firmly on the condiment train now, and I’m never getting off.

I can wax poetic about my favorite condiments for days. I can make the most basic, effortless meal, but once I add in one of the sauces I keep stocked in my pantry, it instantly takes it to the next level. Heck, even if you mess up a dish slightly or order some not-so-great takeout, the right condiment can save it. The latest that I’ve added to my rotation is guaranteed to do just that: TRUFF’s Buffalo sauce. With football season in full swing, here’s why I’m recommending this gem to everyone — and how it stands apart from other brands.

TRUFF has made a name for itself over the past several years with its pantry staples, which includes its editor-favorite pasta sauce and olive oil and mega-popular hot sauce. It’s made fans of celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey, who added it to her Favorite Things list this year. Winfrey loves the jalapeño lime hot sauce, which happens to be a go-to of mine, too. What makes this condiment brand unique? All of its blends are infused with truffles, giving them a richness that elevates whatever you put it on. 

This Buffalo sauce — which the brand calls “TRUFFALO” — isn’t just cayenne pepper hot sauce with butter: It incorporates olive oil infused with black truffle essence and black truffle powder, as well as organic agave nectar, organic distilled white vinegar, and a blend of spices. The result is a smooth, slightly tangy, and mildly spicy topping that elevates everything from chicken to pizza.

After trying it out on cheese pizza — and being immediately wowed — I packed this Buffalo sauce in my suitcase and brought it home to share with my parents during the holiday season. I knew my dad would have football on during my entire visit, so I thought that this sauce would be the perfect compliment. Lo and behold, my parents were impressed with it, too, after we drizzled it on top of some chicken.

We all remarked on its perfect consistency — not too runny or too thick — and pleasant flavor, which doesn’t come across as acidic as the others I’ve tried. I raided my parent’s pantry to conduct a little taste test and confirm our findings. Next to Frank’s Redhot and Sweet Baby Ray’s, TRUFF’s was my favorite when paired with chicken, far more subtle and less thin.

I’ve found that I could eat much more of it in one sitting without getting overwhelmed. Though you can definitely detect the truffle once you twist open the container and catch a whiff, it’s just understated enough to save it from veering into too-earthy territory. In fact, its earthiness serves to balance out the heat and tanginess. Since then, I’ve also mixed it into mac and cheese and dipped California rolls into the stuff — its versatility is no joke. 

Though I definitely recommend grabbing TRUFF’s Buffalo sauce while football season is still going on, I’m planning on adding this to my meals all year long, regardless of the occasion. Plus, the brand is offering free shipping right now! 

Buy: TRUFF Buffalo Sauce, 2-pack, $35.96