BBQ, Hot & Specialty Sauces

Honey BBQ Sauce

Thick, sticky honey BBQ sauce with ketchup, apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika, simmered for 15 minutes.

By The Vehama Kitchen Published
Prep
5 mins
Cook
15 mins
Total
20 mins
Makes
About 1 1/2 cups
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Honey BBQ Sauce — Thick, sticky honey BBQ sauce with ketchup, apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika, simmered for 15 minutes Save to Pinterest

This barbecue sauce balances honey sweetness with apple cider vinegar tang and the smokiness of smoked paprika. A 15-minute simmer thickens it enough to cling to grilled chicken.

Brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling: the honey burns if it cooks too long over direct heat.

Ingredient substitutions

  • Honey → brown sugar or maple syrup
  • Apple cider vinegar → white vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce → soy sauce

Flavor variations

  • Spicier: increase the cayenne to 1/2 tsp or add chipotle powder.
  • Extra smoky: add 1/2 tsp liquid smoke.

Tips and troubleshooting

  • Use a deep pan and a lid held at an angle; thick sauce bubbles and spatters as it reduces.
  • Apply to grilled meat only in the final 5 minutes to avoid burning.

Storage and food safety

  • Refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks.

What to serve it with

  • Grilled chicken and wings
  • Burgers and pulled meat sandwiches
  • Ribs and steak

Recipe

Honey BBQ Sauce

Prep
5 mins
Cook
15 mins
Total
20 mins
Yield
About 1 1/2 cups
Serving
2 tablespoons

Ingredients

Makes 12 servings

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Whisk all the ingredients together in a small saucepan.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  4. Cool slightly before using; it thickens more as it cools.

Vehama Recipes — https://vehama.com/honey-bbq-sauce/

Flavor

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