This incredible Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe will make you skip that trip to the store and make this sweet and tangy barbecue staple right at home! Staple ingredients, easy prep, and this sauce goes so well on everything you would put bbq sauce on.
Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe
BBQ sauce is such a staple when you’re cooking…barbecue. Shocking, I know, but it is for good reason.
BBQ sauce enhances the taste of grilled foods by adding a combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that can complement a wide variety of dishes. It also helps to keep the meat moist, especially during cooking processes that might otherwise dry out meat, such as grilling.
When BBQ sauce is heated, it caramelizes, creating complex flavors through the Maillard reaction, which significantly improves the overall taste of the food.
The wide variety of BBQ sauces available means that there’s a sauce to match almost any type of meat or vegetable, allowing for customization based on personal preference or the specific dish being prepared.
This Honey BBQ Sauce is sweet and tangy and compliments almost any grilled meat. From Smoked Ribs, Pulled Pork, Chicken Wings, Burnt Ends, Smoked BBQ Beef, a Short Rib Lollipop, or even a Smoked Meatloaf, this sauce is pretty much perfect.
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Simple to make: This recipe uses pantry ingredients and is done in less than 20 minutes.
- Works on almost anything: Whether you’re making beef, chicken, pork, lamb, or wild game, this sauce is a great fit.
- Versatile: Change up this recipe to suit your own tastes. Like it a little spicy? Add some more chili flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
- Make it ahead: This recipe keeps well in the fridge for at least a week, and in the freezer for months! Make a big batch, I dare ya!
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Honey BBQ Sauce shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Granulated garlic
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes
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How to make Honey BBQ Sauce
Wondering what you’re getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here’s a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you’re cooking.
- CombineCombine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
- SimmerBring up to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Stir it frequently!
- TasteGive it a little taste. See what you think.
- AdjustIf it needs adjusting to suit your preferences, now’s the time.
- EnjoyPlaster all over your favorite grilled meat, or stick it in the fridge for later.
Try our Cherry Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce too!
Honey BBQ Sauce FAQ
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Yes! This is the perfect recipe to make ahead of time. It makes great gifts too if you put it in a mason jar with some pretty stickers on it!
What’s the best way to store the leftovers?
Store these leftovers covered in the fridge for a week. You can also freeze this in freezer baggies for several months.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have ketchup? Use more tomato sauce and a little extra honey. Don’t like tang? Reduce the amount of vinegar. Want it sweeter? Add more honey or toss in some brown sugar. LOVE smoke? A dash of liquid smoke is an option (not one I use, but some people like it!)
Try our Alabama White Sauce!
Serve this with…
More great recipes to love!
- Original Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Whiskey Coke BBQ Sauce
- Hot Dog Burnt Ends
- Traeger Pork Shoulder Skewers
- Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe
- Traeger Chicken Wing Lollipops
Honey BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir frequently and bring to a simmer.
- Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Store in the fridge, covered, until ready to use.
Nutrition
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.