Introduction
Honey barbecue sauce is a sweet, sticky, and flavorful condiment that is perfect for chicken wings. The sweet honey and tangy barbecue sauce combination coats each wing perfectly and results in finger-licking goodness with every bite. Making your own honey barbecue wing sauce at home is easy, affordable, and allows you to customize the flavor exactly to your liking.
With just a few simple ingredients like honey, ketchup, brown sugar, spices, and vinegar, you can whip up a mouthwatering honey BBQ sauce in minutes. The sauce can then be tossed with fried, baked, or grilled wings for a snack or appetizer that everyone will love. Follow this easy recipe and tips to learn how to make honey barbecue sauce from scratch that will take your wings to new heights of deliciousness.
Ingredients Needed
Honey barbecue sauce only requires a handful of ingredients that can be found at any grocery store. Having these items on hand will allow you to quickly prepare the sauce anytime the craving for wings strikes.
- Honey – The star ingredient, honey provides the signature sweetness. Use a mild-flavored honey like wildflower or clover.
- Ketchup – Ketchup acts as the base and adds tangy tomato flavor.
- Brown sugar – Dark brown sugar or molasses adds depth of flavor and helps balance sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar – The vinegar gives the sauce a bright acidity to cut through rich flavors.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory umami flavor and depth.
- Dijon mustard – Mustard contributes subtle spiciness.
- Garlic powder – Provides aromatic garlic flavor without the hassle of chopping fresh.
- Onion powder – Onion powder packs onion flavor into the sauce.
- Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika lends a touch of smokiness.
- Chili powder – Chili powder brings mild heat and spice.
- Salt and pepper – Salt enhances overall flavors and pepper adds subtle heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making honey barbecue wing sauce is as easy as mixing everything together in one pot. In just 10 minutes, you can have a flavorful sauce ready for wings. Follow these simple steps:
Prep the Ingredients
- Measure out all the sauce ingredients and prepare any items that need prepping.
- Mince the garlic if using fresh instead of powder.
- Measure the liquids like honey and vinegar in a measuring cup for easy pouring.
Make the Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, while stirring occasionally.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, until thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and taste, adjusting seasonings as desired.
Cool and Store
- Allow the sauce to cool slightly before tossing with wings or storing.
- Transfer leftover sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Toss with Wings
- In a large bowl, toss cooked wings with desired amount of honey barbecue sauce until fully coated.
- For crispy wings, toss sauced wings under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to caramelize.
- Serve wings hot with sides like ranch dressing, celery, and blue cheese dip.
Tips for Best Results
Follow these handy tips when preparing honey barbecue sauce for ultimate flavor in every batch:
- Use equal parts ketchup and honey as the base and adjust to taste.
- Add ingredients gradually until desired sweetness, tanginess, and spice is achieved.
- For spicier sauce, increase amounts of chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce.
- For thicker sauce, simmer an extra 5 minutes or mix in a cornstarch slurry.
- Brush sauce on wings during last 5 minutes of cooking to caramelize.
- Toss fried wings in sauce right before serving to maintain crispy texture.
- Store in squeeze bottles for easy saucing when cooking or serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of honey is best for the sauce?
Mild honeys like wildflower, orange blossom, or clover work well. Avoid strong flavored honeys like buckwheat.
Can I use molasses instead of brown sugar?
Yes, swap an equal amount of molasses for brown sugar. It provides deeper flavor.
What vinegar makes the best wing sauce?
Apple cider vinegar offers the right gentle acidity, but white distilled vinegar also works.
How long does homemade honey BBQ sauce last?
Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, the sauce lasts 2-3 weeks.
Can I freeze extra honey barbecue sauce?
Yes, freezing extends shelf life for several months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
Conclusion
Honey barbecue chicken wings are always a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, barbecues, or anytime you need a flavorful, finger-food snack. With this easy do-it-yourself honey BBQ wing sauce recipe, you can stop buying store-bought and make your own signature version to suit your tastes. A few pantry staples turn into crave-worthy sweet and tangy sauce in just minutes. Follow the steps to whip up a batch, toss with crispy fried or baked wings, and get ready for sticky fingers and happy taste buds. Experiment with spices and ingredients until you create the perfect honey barbecue sauce to slather on wings for dipping in ranch dressing and savoring every bite.