This homemade honey barbecue sauce is sweet, tangy, and full of flavor. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this sauce is perfect for marinating grilled meats, basting while cooking, or using as a dipping sauce. The combination of honey, barbecue sauce, and spices creates a delicious balance of sweetness and smokiness. Give your favorite barbecue dishes a tasty twist with this easy-to-make sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the sauce to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Serve the honey barbecue sauce with grilled meats, use it as a marinade, or as a dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Barbecue sauces are a popular staple in American cuisine, with many regional variations.
Honey adds a touch of natural sweetness to the barbecue sauce and helps caramelize the meat when grilled.
Using Dijon mustard adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the sauce.
Smoked paprika gives the sauce a subtle smoky taste reminiscent of barbecue pit smoke.
The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted according to your preferred level of spiciness.