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 Recipe
- 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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Recipe 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 This Recipe
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.
- Combine – Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
- Simmer – Bring up the mixture to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Stir frequently.
- Taste – Taste test time! Taste and adjust according to your own personal preferences.
- Enjoy – Paint it all over the meat or store it covered in the fridge.
Try our Cherry Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce too!
Recipe FAQ
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!
Store these leftovers covered in the fridge for a week. You can also freeze this in freezer baggies for several months.
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
- Dino Ribs
- BBQ Pork Nachos
- Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs
- Smoked BBQ Beef Sandwich
- BBQ Smoked Sausage Bites
- Traeger Grilled Beef Short Rib Lollipop
More Homemade Sauce Recipes (and ways to use this sauce)
- 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#
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ 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.