Making your own honey barbecue sauce at home is easy, delicious, and highly customizable. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a sauce with the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and smoky flavors. This homemade honey BBQ sauce recipe is perfect for grilling, dipping, marinating, and so much more!

Introduction to Honey BBQ Sauce

Honey barbecue sauce, often referred to as honey BBQ sauce or honey bbq sauce, is a popular variation of traditional barbecue sauce that incorporates honey as one of the main sweeteners. The honey helps provide a sweet flavor profile and viscous texture, while also balancing out the acidity, spices, and any smokiness from the other ingredients.

Compared to classic tomato-based barbecue sauces, honey bbq sauce tends to be a bit thicker, stickier, and sweeter. The honey works well to cut through some of the fattiness in barbecue dishes like ribs, chicken, and pulled pork. The sauce beautifully glazes and coats the meat during grilling or smoking. It also doubles as a delicious dipping sauce for appetizers, fries, chicken nuggets, and much more.

Store-bought honey BBQ sauce can sometimes have a one-note sweetness and lack depth of flavor. Making it at home allows you to customize the spice blend, smokiness, tang, consistency, and sweetness to your exact preferences. Once you get the basic ratio of ingredients down, the possibilities for flavor combinations are endless!

Benefits of Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce

There are many advantages to preparing your own homemade honey barbecue sauce instead of relying solely on store-bought sauces:

• Control the ingredients – By making it yourself, you can avoid preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and other undesirable additives commonly found in commercial BBQ sauces. You can use high-quality, natural ingredients.
• Create your own flavor profile – Tailor the sauce to highlight your favorite tastes and achieve the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, spicy, and smoky.
• Make it fresh in small batches – Homemade sauce won’t sit on a shelf for months before you use it. You can whip up a batch and enjoy it when it’s freshest.
• Customize the texture – Thicken it, thin it out, make it as smooth or chunky as you like.
• Save money – Preparing your own honey BBQ sauce at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay for gourmet sauce at the store.
• Use it as a base for variations – Once you have the basic recipe down, it’s easy to tweak it each time to create hot honey BBQ, chipotle BBQ, bourbon BBQ, and more.

Tips for Making Honey BBQ Sauce

Follow these handy tips for whipping up a fool-proof homemade honey barbecue sauce every time:

• Use raw honey for the most natural flavor, or experiment with aromatic honeys like orange blossom or wildflower.
• Mix up different vinegars like apple cider, white, red wine, rice, or balsamic to vary the acidity.
• Always include tomato paste for added texture, flavor, and color.
• Spice it up with chili powder, cayenne, chipotle powder, paprika, mustard powder, and other dried spices.
• For sweet and tangy depth, add molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
• Play around with savory umami flavors using ingredients like soy sauce, Worcestershire, fish sauce, liquid smoke, or miso.
• Balanced acidity is key. Use citrus juices and vinegars to create a sweet-tart flavor profile.
• Thicken the sauce to your desired consistency with cornstarch, arrowroot, or redux cooking methods.
• Finish with fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, oregano, thyme for a vibrant flavor pop.
• Infuse it with aromatics like sauteed onion, garlic, ginger to provide a flavor base.

Now let’s get into the full, step-by-step recipe for how to make easy homemade honey barbecue sauce from scratch…

Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce base – In a medium saucepan, stir together the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, molasses, mustard, water, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
2. Simmer – Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Then reduce heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your desired consistency.
3. Adjust seasoning – Taste and adjust any flavors as needed. Add more honey for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or spices to your preference.
4. Cool and store – Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

And that’s it – you now have a versatile homemade honey barbecue sauce ready to use in all your grilling, smoking, and dipping adventures. Slather it on some ribs, wings, pulled pork, or anything you want to give that sweet and sticky barbecue treatment.

Variations

Once you master the basic honey bbq sauce recipe, it’s easy to customize it to create all types of flavor variations:

Bourbon Honey BBQ Sauce

• Add 1/4 cup bourbon
• Increase brown sugar to 1/4 cup
• Add a dash of liquid smoke
• Simmer until alcohol cooks off

Chipotle Honey BBQ Sauce

• Use adobo sauce from canned chipotles
• Add 1-2 minced chipotles
• Increase chili powder to 2 teaspoons
• Add pinch of cumin and coriander

Carolina-Style Honey BBQ Sauce

• Use yellow mustard as the base
• Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• Increase black pepper to 1 teaspoon
• Add hot sauce to taste

Asian Honey BBQ Sauce

• Use rice wine vinegar
• Replace half ketchup with hoisin sauce
• Add grated ginger and sesame oil
• Stir in soy sauce and sriracha

Honey Sriracha BBQ Sauce

• Use sriracha instead of chili powder
• Add a splash of lime juice
• Garnish with chopped cilantro
• Stir in a little coconut aminos

The possibilities are endless once you realize how easy it is to give the basic honey bbq sauce recipe your own personal twist.

Uses for Honey BBQ Sauce

A homemade honey barbecue sauce is extremely versatile. Here are some of the many ways to use and enjoy it:

• Grilling – Slather on chicken, pork, ribs, salmon, shrimp, steak, sausages, veggie skewers – you name it! The sauce caramelizes beautifully.
• Smoking – Brush on brisket, pulled pork, turkey, chuck roast during low and slow smoking sessions.
• Baking – Toss chicken wings or meatballs in sauce before baking.
• Dipping Sauce – Serve alongside everything from french fries and onion rings to chicken nuggets, fried pickles, and mozzarella sticks.
• Drizzle on Tacos – Add sweet smoky flavor to carne asada, brisket, pulled pork, fish, and shrimp tacos.
• Pizza Sauce – Use as the base sauce on bbq chicken, pulled pork, bacon, and other specialty pizzas.
• Salad Dressing – Whisk together with oil and vinegar for the most finger-lickin’ salad dressing.
• Marinade – Let meat soak for hours or overnight to infuse it with flavor.
• Sandwich Spread – Schmear onto brisket, pulled pork, grilled chicken, and burger sandwiches.
• Potato Topper – Dollop on baked potatoes, fries, tater tots, and potato skins.
• Meatloaf and Meatballs – Mix into ground beef or turkey for added moisture and flavor.
• Casseroles and Braises – Stir into any meaty one-pot dish for flavor and moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making homemade honey barbecue sauce:

Do I need to cook my honey BBQ sauce?

It’s recommended to gently simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld together and thicken up. This helps intensify the flavors. But if you’re short on time, you can certainly use the sauce straight after mixing it.

How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the barbecue sauce will keep for 1-2 weeks. For longer shelf life, divide into smaller jars and freeze for up to 3 months.

How do I get the right consistency?

Simmer to reduce water content and thicken the sauce. Or use cornstarch slurry if you need to thicken it more after removing from heat. For thinner sauce, stir in water or additional vinegar and honey.

What’s the difference between BBQ sauce and honey BBQ sauce?

Classic barbecue sauce is usually tomato-based with spices like mustard, paprika, garlic. Honey bbq sauce has a sweeter profile thanks to added honey but often still includes tomato. The honey helps balance acidity and fat.

What meats pair best with honey barbecue sauce?

It goes great with beef, pork, poultry, and seafood! Brush onto ribs, chicken, pulled pork, shrimp, brisket, salmon, turkey, and much more. The sweet tangy flavor pairs well with rich meats.

What can I serve honey bbq sauce with?

Use it as a condiment for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, pizza, wings, tenders, fries, tots, onion rings, meatballs, roasted veggies, eggs, salads, and dips. It’s also great as a marinade, glaze, or stir-in ingredient.

Conclusion

Making your own homemade honey barbecue sauce opens up a whole world of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors beyond the one-note store-bought bottles. Once you get the basic method down, you can customize the honey bbq sauce recipe to match your tastes and family’s preferences. Play with different styles, spice blends, smokiness levels, and textures. This versatile sauce can be used in all types of grilling, dipping, and cooking applications. Give it your signature touch by preparing a batch of homemade honey bbq sauce this BBQ season. Your friends and family will be begging you for the recipe!

How to Smoke Ribs with Honey BBQ Sauce

Smoking ribs slathered in sticky, sweet honey barbecue sauce is one of the most mouthwatering BBQ treats. The low, slow smoking ensures tender, fall-off-the-bone meat, while a thick coating of flavorful sauce provides the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Smoked honey bbq ribs may take time, but the results are well worth the wait. Follow these tips for flavorful, tender ribs glazed with your favorite honey barbecue sauce.

Ingredients

• Rack of pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
• Dry rub (see below)
• Honey barbecue sauce, divided (see recipe above)
• Wood chips or chunks (hickory, pecan, applewood)

Dry Rub

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the ribs – Remove membrane from back of ribs. Trim excess fat. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
2. Apply dry rub – Coat both sides of the ribs liberally with the dry rub. Press rub into meat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
3. Set up smoker – Ignite smoker or grill for indirect low heat smoking, 225 to 250°F. Use your choice of wood chips/chunks.
4. Smoke the ribs – Place ribs bone side down on smoker grates. Smoke for 2-3 hours, maintaining temperature in ideal smoking zone. Flip and rotate periodically.
5. Apply sauce – After 2-3 hours, remove ribs from smoker. Paint and slather ribs generously with honey barbecue sauce on all sides.
6. Finish smoking – Return sauced ribs to smoker for 1-2 more hours. Reapply sauce every 30 minutes. Ribs are done when meat is tender and pulls back from bones.
7. Rest and serve – Remove ribs from smoker and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into ribs. Serve additional warmed honey bbq sauce on the side for dipping if desired.

Tips

• For ultra tender ribs, smoke at 225°F for 5-6 hours total, unwrapped. Spritz with apple juice or water every hour after initial smoke.
• For fall-off-the-bone ribs, wrap tightly in foil after 3 hours smoking before saucing and finishing. The braising effect tenderizes the meat.
• Apply sauce too early and it could burn. Wait until the final 1-2 hours once smoke has penetrated and ribs are almost done.
• Use a sauce basting brush to apply an even layer of sauce. Reapply every 30 minutes for best caramelization, glaze, and flavor.

Smoked honey barbecue ribs are the perfect combination of sticky sweet sauce and tender, smokey meat. The honey bbq sauce recipe can be customized to complement whichever dry rub and wood smoke flavors you use. Serve these saucy ribs hot off the grill alongside all your favorite barbecue sides.

How to Make Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken

Honey barbecue chicken is a quick and easy dinner that comes together fast on the grill. Sweet honey barbecue sauce coats juicy chicken pieces for a recipe that’s sure to be a hit. Grilled chicken slathered in a homemade honey bbq sauce is perfect for busy weeknights or backyard bbqs.

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup honey bbq sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 lb chicken breast, pounded to even thickness
• 1 lb chicken thighs and/or drumsticks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Make the sauce – Prepare a batch of homemade honey bbq sauce. Alternatively, use your favorite store-bought honey bbq sauce.
2. Prepare the chicken – Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Brush lightly with cooking oil on both sides. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the chicken – Ignite grill on medium-high heat, around 400°F direct heat. Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, with the lid closed as much as possible. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Glaze with sauce – During the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush chicken pieces thoroughly with honey bbq sauce on both sides.
5. Finish and serve – Remove chicken from grill. Squeeze lime juice over top to taste. Serve warm with extra honey bbq sauce on the side for dipping if desired.

Tips

• For crispy skin, coat boneless chicken pieces with a light breadcrumb coating before grilling.
• Use indirect heat and close lid if sauce causes flare-ups from dripping onto flames.
• Cut slashes into drumsticks and thighs so sauce seeps into meat while grilling.
• Char extra sauce in a small saucepan to serve as an ultra-thick glaze over the grilled chicken.
• For smoky flavor, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the honey bbq sauce.

Grilled honey bbq chicken cooks up juicy, tender, and packed with sweet smoky flavor in 30 minutes or less. It’s easy to throw together a homemade honey bbq sauce to make this chicken extra special. Serve alongside grilled veggies, coleslaw, cornbread, rice, or potato salad.

How to Make Honey BBQ Baked Beans

Honey barbecue baked beans are an American classic comfort food, made even better with a homemade honey bbq sauce. Sweet, tangy, and smoky, these saucy baked beans cooked low and slow are a backyard favorite. Follow this easy recipe for the most mouthwatering baked beans you’ve ever tasted.

Ingredients

• 4 cans (15 oz each) navy beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup honey barbecue sauce (see recipe above)
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven – Preheat oven to 300°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or cast iron Dutch oven.
2. Mix ingredients – In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until thoroughly combined.
3. Transfer to dish – Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Make sure beans are evenly distributed and coated in sauce.
4. Bake – Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove foil and continue baking 30 minutes to thicken sauce.
5. Adjust seasoning – Uncover and taste beans, adding