If you think of barbecue sauce as something that lives on a shelf at the grocery store, think again. This Honey BBQ Sauce recipe calls for just a few staples, and has far superior flavor with fewer ingredients than the bottled version. Its smoky depth and natural sweetness come without processed additives of any kind: just simple whole foods that deliver big on taste.
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Have a look at the back of a store-bought barbecue sauce, and what do you see? High fructose corn syrup, preservatives, multisyllabic lab chemicals – you name it. But you don’t have to take that route. You also won’t need highly processed ingredients like ketchup or liquid smoke. My version uses honey for natural sweetness and apple cider vinegar for a piquant tang. A touch of smoked paprika adds delicious depth that rivals the best of the name brand sauces.
As far as recipes go, this one is endlessly versatile too. It’s equally at home atop grilled meats, in baked beans or chili, and as a dipping sauce. All it takes is a quick stir, a gentle boil, and 20 minutes on the stove at a simmer, and you’ve got an ideal condiment for last-minute BBQs or weeknight dinners. Once you try it, you’ll never go back.
Table of Contents
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 tablespoons
- Skill Level: Easy
Ingredients to Make this Honey BBQ Sauce
- Tomato Paste: Tomato is both the base and body for the sauce, so buy a simple, high-quality version. I use plain tomato paste, nothing added.
- Honey: Barbecue sauce is meant to be sweet, and honey does the job well. Any good honey works well.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For that tangy, flavorful kick, look for unfiltered vinegar.
- Smoked Paprika: Paprika has to be smoked if you want that smoky depth (and you do). Avoid the regular version and make sure it’s fresh using the sniff test. Smell boring? Replace it.
- Ground Cumin: One of my fave spices, cumin adds a warm and earthy note.
- Fine Sea Salt: Compared to table salt, I find sea salt has a cleaner taste.
- Black Pepper: For maximum flavor, grind it fresh.
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: You want to avoid the texture of fresh onions and garlic but get the flavor, and powders rock at this. Make sure they’re fresh, though, not old and clumpy.
- Cayenne Pepper: This is optional, but important if you like heat. Start with a pinch and go from there.
How to Make Honey BBQ Sauce
Start by combining all ingredients (except cayenne) in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce and simmer, stirring frequently. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, usually after about 15-20 minutes. Let it cool completely before transferring to a container to refrigerate.
Pro Tips
- Taste and adjust: It’s important to taste and adjust when it comes to barbecue sauce, where everyone has their perfect mix of tangy/salty/smoky/sweet. Once you’ve simmered it, taste and add more honey or vinegar as needed. Adjust the salt and pepper, then stir in your cayenne, adding small amounts at a time, if using.
- Simmer on low: You’re looking for a gentle simmer to marry the ingredients without burning them. If the sauce starts to spit or stick, lower the heat.
Recipe Variations
- Heat it up: Add your favorite hot sauce or even chipotle peppers in adobo for an extra-spicy, smoky heat. If you add the peppers as well as the adobo sauce, you’ll want to blend your sauce after cooking.
- Fruity twist: A bit of pureed pineapple or mango gives a tropical flavor that’s perfect for Hawaiian barbecue.
- Boozy kick: A splash of bourbon adds both depth and complexity for big Southern flavor.
- Herb infusion: Love a savory herby angle? Fresh chopped rosemary or thyme at the end of cooking totally delivers.
- Make it vegan: If you’re a strict vegan, you can ditch the honey in favor of agave nectar or maple syrup.
How to Store
My Honey BBQ Sauce lasts for up to two weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed, airtight container. You can also freeze this sauce, ideally in meal-sized portions, for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Perfect Sauce for
Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except cayenne pepper to a medium saucepan; stir until well combined. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- When cool, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
