This Homemade Hot Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and heat! With just 5 minutes of prep, a few pantry staples, and a quick simmer, you’ll have a sauce that’s just right for ribs, brisket, chicken, or pulled pork.
Love this spicy honey barbecue sauce? Check out our collection of Hot Honey Recipes for more sweet and spicy goodness!
This is a finger-licking good kind of sauce. Slather it on tender ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork, or juicy brisket. It’s a favorite for a reason:
- It's truly delicious! Tangy, sweet, and spicy all rolled into one.
- It's easy to make! Sometimes it's the little things that take a meal over the top. This is one of those.
- It's great for all the barbecue favorites including poultry, beef, and pork.
For this recipe, you can use regular honey and spice it up yourself or go with a homemade hot honey recipe—either way, it’s going to be amazing!
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Ingredients for homemade spicy honey bbq sauce
This recipe only requires pantry ingredients with quantities in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips.
- Ketchup: A classic starting point for most barbecue sauce recipes.
- Honey: Either regular or hot honey can be used in this recipe. It is more economical to use regular honey and spice it up yourself, but use whichever you prefer.
- Brown sugar: Amazing deep flavor. Use light or dark brown sugar.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is the best choice here but white vinegar can be used in a pinch.
- Molasses: Grandma's unsulphured molasses is the kind we use. Do not use blackstrap molasses as it is too bitter.
- Spices: These include cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, celery salt, and black pepper.
How to make spicy honey bbq sauce
This is a simple recipe that is perfect for making ahead. It makes the day of easier plus it allows the flavors to meld.
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Stir until completely combined. Using a whisk in this step will help keep the spices from clumping.
Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Place in airtight container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate.
Hint: Don't shortcut the simmer time. It helps develop the viscosity and allows the flavors to fully develop.
Storage
Homemade BBQ sauce recipes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For a longer storage time, freeze for up to 6 months.
FAQ
The main two styles of bbq sauce are tomato-based and vinegar-based. The tomato-based one is usually quite sweet and flavored with spices. Vinegar-based sauces are usually thinner and focus more on the tang and pepper flavors. This BBQ sauce is considered a tomato-based recipe.
The main things that make BBQ sauce taste so delicious would be the combination of sweetener, usually sugar but honey and maple syrup are used as well, and spices.
Try using it as a sauce for pizza, a coating for wings, a topping for burgers, or a dipping sauce for fries.
Tips and tricks
- Do not use apple cider vinegar with the mother. It will overpower the sauce.
- Use a deeper sauce pot for less mess during the simmering process.
- Make ahead so the flavors can meld. Plus serving day is easier.
Recipe
Easy Hot Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe (Sweet & Spicy)
Equipment
- jar or storage container
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ⅔ cup honey
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 T molasses
- 2 T smoked paprika
- 1 T black pepper
- 1 T garlic powder
- 1 T onion powder
- 1 t celery salt
- 1 t coriander
- 1 t cayenne
- 1 t red chili flakes
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in small saucepan.1 ½ cups ketchup, ⅔ cup honey, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 2 T molasses, 2 T smoked paprika, 1 T black pepper, 1 T garlic powder, 1 T onion powder, 1 t celery salt, 1 t coriander, 1 t cayenne, 1 t red chili flakes
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Notes
- Do not use apple cider vinegar with the mother. It will overpower the sauce.
- Use a deeper sauce pot for less mess during the simmering process.
- Make ahead so the flavors can meld. Plus serving day is easier.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
This sauce really enhances any BBQ meal.