Hot Honey Sauce | My Nourished Home | Recipes | (2024)

Hot Honey Sauce is perfectly sweet and spicy! Use this condiment to add complex flavor to a variety of dishes, from drizzling over your favorite pizza to glazing grilled meats.

Hot Honey Sauce: Make it to Have on Hand!

I’m on a condiment kick! Things like fries, chicken, and vegetables are only as good as what you dip them in (in my opinion, anyway. I’m a sauce fanatic!). That’s why I’ve started making them myself — it also makes me feel a whole lot better knowing exactly what’s in what I’m eating.

Some of my favorites are Sriracha mayo, homemade tzatziki, and pesto. All taste great with several different dishes, and I’ve even started using the pesto as a base for pasta sauce. But, I digress. We’re here to talk about another one of my favorite condiments: hot honey sauce.

Made with — you guessed it — honey, plus red pepper flakes, garlic, and smoked paprika, this sauce is simply bursting with flavor. The red pepper flakes and paprika bring the heat, while the honey tones everything down and adds a bit of sweetness to the mix.

We use this stuff on everything in my house. And I’m sure you will too once you try it!

Why you will love this recipe

• Perfectly sweet and spicy
• Made with minimal, easy-to-find ingredients
• The ultimate condiment — the possibilities are endless!
• Simple to make and ready in 30 minutes

How to make perfect Hot Honey Sauce

Heat the honey. Place the honey in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low.

Add the other ingredients. Add 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and crushed garlic cloves to the saucepan.

Simmer. Allow the sauce mixture to simmer without bringing it to a boil. Give it a taste and add more salt and red pepper flakes if needed, being sure to stir to combine everything together.

Allow the spicy honey to cool. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let your creation cool for at least 20 minutes. When it has, transfer it to a clean airtight container (I love Mason jars) and store in a cool and dry place like your pantry.

Pro Tips

• Opt for high-quality raw honey. I don’t suggest using industrialized honey as they tend to have added sugar. This could cause sugar crystals in your spicy honey sauce, which you definitely don’t want.
• Experiment with different types of peppers. Red pepper flakes are the most popular choice for spicy honey, but you can also feel free to get creative! Try using any type of fresh or dried chili peppers to achieve different levels of heat and flavor.
• Heat the honey slowly. While you may be eager to taste your hot honey sauce, it’s important to heat the honey slowly over low to medium heat. Stir frequently as you do to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Use spicy honey on anything you want. This sauce pairs perfectly with so many different dishes. If you like sweet and savory flavors, you’re going to love this! And as mentioned you can even use it as a base to glaze meat or seafood.
• Store it in a cool, dry place. This condiment should always be stored in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. I don’t recommend storing it in the refrigerator — it will cause the honey sauce to crystalize and become difficult to use.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Honey: Opt to use the most high-quality honey that you can find. Trust me, it makes a difference in terms of taste and texture!

Garlic: 6 cloves will be plenty. Refer to the photos for tips on how to crush your garlic the easy way.

Red pepper flakes: This hot honey is supposed to be, well, hot! That’s why I like to add a healthy helping of crushed red pepper flakes. Feel free to play around with quantities. If you like your sauce extra, extra spicy, add in more. If you’re looking for just a touch of heat, add less!

Frequently asked Questions about Spicy Honey

What is hot honey sauce made of?

Every hot honey recipe is a bit different, but most include raw honey and red pepper flakes. I love the addition of smoked paprika in mine — it really sets it apart, and the flavor is out of this world tasty!

Can you make a sauce out of honey?

Yes! This hot honey recipe is living proof. You’ll have to heat the honey in order to thin it down a bit to give it the consistency you want. Another example of a honey-based sauce is the ever-classic honey mustard.

How do you thicken honey sauce?

If you find that your sauce has become too thin, you can always add a bit of cornstarch or water. Incorporate it slowly (1 teaspoon at a time) until you’re happy with the thickness.