If you love the sweet-spicy flavor of hot honey, this bbq sauce is for you. It's a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy, and is ready in 15 minutes. One taste and you'll be slathering it on chicken and pork all summer long.
If you've avoided making your own barbecue sauce for fear that it is too difficult or time-consuming, think again. This hot honey bbq sauce recipe comes together in minutes, and can be made up to a week before you need it. It's the perfect addition to your collection of homemade everyday staples.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Tomato sauce--Most barbecue sauce recipes use ketchup as a base, but since there is plenty of sweetness from the honey, I prefer to use plain tomato sauce.
- Hot honey--This is available at many supermarkets or online retailers and I recommend using Mike's hot honey, if available to you. If you can't find it, or would prefer a milder version of the sauce, you can make it with regular honey, and add cayenne pepper to taste.
- Vinegar--I used apple cider vinegar here as I think it lends the sauce the most well-rounded flavor, but plain white vinegar or rice vinegar will work fine if that's what you've got in your pantry.
How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and whisk until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until thickened.
FAQs
This spicy honey barbecue sauce is particularly good on chicken and pork. Brush it onto crispy grilled chicken wings or back ribs during their last few minutes of cooking, or use it on this bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin instead of the honey bourbon glaze.
Yes. Freeze the sauce in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- If your sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few extra minutes. It should be thick enough to thickly coat the back of a spoon.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage. Always use a clean spoon when scooping it out of the jar to prevent spoilage.
- This recipe is suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets.
More Everyday Staples You'll Love
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Recipe
Hot Honey BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup hot honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the tomato sauce, honey, vinegar, and spices in a small saucepan.
- Set over medium-low heat and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and darkened in color, about 10 minutes.
- Cool before using. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Notes
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- Thickening--If your sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few extra minutes. It should be thick enough to thickly coat the back of a spoon.
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- Storage--Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Always use a clean spoon when scooping it out of the jar to prevent spoilage.
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- Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets.
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