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Honey BBQ Sauce

Jun 25, 2024

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This homemade Honey BBQ Sauce recipe is perfect for grilled meat, burgers, chicken wings, and more. This classic sauce is packed with a delicious, sweet and tangy flavor and is super easy to make at home in under 10 minutes.

An image of honey bbq sauce in a small bowl.

Why Make Honey BBQ Sauce
Ingredient Notes
Steps To Make Honey Barbecue Sauce Recipe
How to Use Honey BBQ Sauce
Recipe Tips
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Recipe FAQs
Other delicious sauces to Try
Other Delicious Desserts to Try
Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe

Why Make Honey BBQ Sauce

Skip store-bought barbecue sauce, this sweet and sticky sauce is all you need for a tasty meal. This is my favorite barbecue sauce to make especially during summer, because it comes in handy whenever we want to marinate and grill meat or make burgers.

Easy to make. You’ll only need a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes to simmer them together!
Perfect for summer barbecues. This is a great sauce to have on hand for cookouts, family gatherings, or even simple weekday dinners.
Customizable. It’s easy to taste and adjust it according to your flavor preference. Add cayenne pepper for spice or more honey if you want it sweeter.

Ingredient Notes

An image of the ingredients of honey BBQ sauce in separate containers with labels.

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post.

Ketchup. Use a regular tomato ketchup for a sweet base.
Worcestershire sauce. Adds umami and depth of flavor.
Honey and brown sugar. Adds a subtle sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar. Gives a tangy flavor. Use white wine vinegar as a substitute.
Seasonings. I used salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper. You can also add cayenne pepper to make it spicy.

Steps To Make Honey Barbecue Sauce Recipe

An image of stirring the barbecue sauce ingredients together.

Step One. Combine all ingredients for Honey BBQ Sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring sauce to a rolling simmer. Reduce the heat to low and lightly simmer for 10 minutes.

Step Two. Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool.

How to Use Honey BBQ Sauce

You can use honey barbecue sauce as a marinade, basting sauce for grilling, or as a dipping sauce for Homemade Chicken Tenders, Chicken Nuggets, or Crispy Fries, a topping for burgers like my Turkey Smash Burger. You can even mix it with Baked Beans for extra flavor. It’s my go-to sauce for Shredded BBQ Chicken and Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs.

Recipe Tips

Taste and adjust to achieve your desired flavor. If the sauce is too tangy, add a bit more honey or brown sugar. If it’s too sweet, add a splash more vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.
Don’t boil the BBQ sauce. Instead, simmer it on low heat to allow the flavors to meld together. This also helps to thicken the sauce and intensify the flavors. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Store in an airtight jar or glass container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe FAQs

How can I thicken my honey BBQ sauce?

To thicken your BBQ sauce, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook until it reaches the desired consistency.

Is it necessary to cook the BBQ sauce?

Cooking helps meld the flavors and thicken the sauce, but it’s not strictly necessary. You can mix all the ingredients and use it as is, especially if you’re in a hurry.