Rich, tangy, and spicy, this hot honey sauce adds a bold kick of flavor to any recipe! Made with just four ingredients in less than ten minutes, it’s easy to customize and comes together quicker than it takes to run to the local grocery store.
I’ve been making hot honey for years, and everyone in my house loves the sweet and spicy flavors. So, I decided to make a sauce with it, kind of like buffalo sauce, and the results turned out even better than I expected!
Delicious and perfectly pourable, this recipe makes for the best addition to hot honey chicken wings.
Why you’ll love this recipe
One taste of this homemade hot honey sauce, and you’ll never go back to store-bought options again!
- Easy and versatile homemade sauce – Just combine the ingredients in a saucepan, and cook on the stove. With hardly any effort, your sauce will be ready to use in minutes.
- Rich, complex taste – Buttery, sweet, and spicy, this honey hot sauce recipe satisfies all your tastebuds and can easily be customized to suit your flavor preferences.
- Crowd-pleaser – Elevate any meal with this quick condiment and impress your guests at a game day! This recipe makes ¾ cup as written, but you can easily double or even triple the ingredients to make a large batch.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so that I can have better control of the flavor, but salted butter will also work. You’ll just want to skip the extra salt!
- Honey – I typically use raw honey, but processed honey will work. Just note that the sweetness may vary, depending on what you use. So, give your sauce a taste, and add more as needed.
- Hot sauce – Louisiana-style hot sauce is my favorite! However, you can use any vinegar-based hot sauce you like best, such as Crystal or Frank’s RedHot.
- Coarse kosher salt – This enhances the rest of the ingredients. Start with just a pinch, and add more to taste.
The Best Hot Sauce
Choose vinegar-based hot sauce. The acidity balances the sweetness, creating a more balanced flavor. Also, vinegar-based hot sauces are usually thin and pourable, making them easy to blend into honey.
- Frank’s RedHot – Mild heat, great balance
- Tabasco – Strong vinegar kick, classic choice
- Crystal – Smooth Louisiana-style, slightly milder
- Cholula – Slightly smoky, less vinegar-forward
How to make hot honey sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the honey, hot sauce, and salt.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Store for later, or use right away!
Adjust to taste
Don’t forget to taste your sauce as you cook! Adjust the ingredients as needed to suit your preferences. For instance, for a sweeter sauce, add more honey. Or, for more spice, include an extra dash of hot sauce.
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality honey. If possible, go for raw or local honey. It has a much sweeter, richer taste than processed varieties. Because there are so few ingredients in this hot honey recipe, you’ll really notice a difference!
- Add more heat. If you want your sauce to be extra hot, add jalapeño or red pepper flakes.
- Avoid boiling. Keep your pan over medium heat, and avoid letting the honey boil. It’s okay if small bubbles form, but boiling can overcook the sauce and will create a dull flavor.
Storing Tips
Let your hot honey sauce cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to a jar or container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Serving Ideas
Hot honey sauce is a game changer!! Here are some delicious serving ideas to elevate your next meal.
- Drizzle over fried chicken or chicken tenders
- Brush on grilled wings or baked drumsticks (hot honey chicken wings, anyone?)
- Glaze pork chops or bacon for a sweet-spicy finish
- Drip onto a baked brie or goat cheese log (serve with crackers)
- Drizzle on roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes
- Drizzle over an iceberg wedge salad with blue cheese dressing – incredible!!
FAQs
Hot honey is typically slightly thicker, whereas hot honey sauce is thinner and more pourable. Hot honey sauce also contains butter, which gives it a slightly richer flavor.
My favorite way to use this recipe is with my hot honey chicken wings! However, it’s also great as a dipping sauce or condiment with options like roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, or chicken alfredo pizza.
For a thicker consistency, let the sauce simmer a little longer. Or, add more butter or a thickening agent like a cornstarch slurry.
More Sauces and Condiments
Hot Honey Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter Note 1
- ½ cup (170 g) raw honey
- 2-3 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce Note 2
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the honey, hot sauce, and salt and stir to combine. Cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Tips & Notes
– Store leftover hot honey sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
