Hot Honey BBQ Sauce: Sweet, Spicy, and Perfect for Grilling

Hot honey BBQ sauce is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors that takes your grilled meats, roasted veggies, or even sandwiches to the next level. With the perfect balance of heat from hot sauce and sweetness from honey, this sauce is versatile enough to pair with chicken wings, ribs, burgers, or any BBQ dish that needs a flavorful kick.

In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make an easy, homemade Hot Honey BBQ Sauce that you can whip up in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (choose your preferred heat level—Sriracha, Frank’s RedHot, or habanero-based hot sauce)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (for extra sweetness and depth)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp smoked paprika (for a smoky flavor)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir well to mix all the ingredients together.

Step 2: Add the Seasonings

Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the saucepan. Stir to combine.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If you want more heat, add extra hot sauce or red pepper flakes. For a sweeter sauce, add more honey or brown sugar.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors are well balanced, remove it from the heat. Let it cool slightly before using. If you’re not using the sauce immediately, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

How to Use Hot Honey BBQ Sauce

• Grilled Meats: Brush the sauce over chicken, ribs, pork chops, or steak during the last few minutes of grilling for a caramelized, sticky glaze.
• BBQ Wings: Toss baked or fried chicken wings in the sauce for a spicy-sweet twist on classic BBQ wings.
• Burgers & Sandwiches: Use this sauce to elevate your burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, or grilled cheese with a sweet and spicy kick.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve the hot honey BBQ sauce on the side as a dip for fries, chicken tenders, or roasted vegetables.

Tips for the Best Hot Honey BBQ Sauce

• Control the Heat: Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the type and amount of hot sauce. For a milder sauce, use a smaller amount of a mild hot sauce like Sriracha. If you love extra heat, go for something more intense like a habanero or ghost pepper hot sauce.
• Balance Sweet and Tangy: The brown sugar and honey add sweetness, while the vinegar and mustard balance it with tang. Feel free to adjust the levels to suit your taste—more sugar for sweetness, or more vinegar for tang.
• Smoky Depth: The smoked paprika adds a subtle smokiness, but you can also experiment with liquid smoke (just a drop or two) for a bolder smoky flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Hot Honey BBQ Sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a rich, smoky undertone that makes it perfect for everything from grilling to dipping. It’s a versatile sauce that can be customized to suit your preferred level of heat, and it adds a bold flavor boost to any dish. Plus, it’s super easy to make in just a few simple steps!

Conclusion

Whether you're grilling up a feast or just looking for a bold sauce to drizzle over your favorite foods, this Hot Honey BBQ Sauce is guaranteed to become a staple in your kitchen. Its balance of sweetness and spice will keep you coming back for more, and it pairs beautifully with all your BBQ favorites. Give it a try, and let us know how you use it!

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