Honey and BBQ Sauce recipe – 5-Min simple, easy and Sweet to make

By:

Sarah Bennett

June 23, 2025

honey and BBQ sauce recipe featured

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can mix honey with barbecue sauce, the answer is a delicious yes. This honey and BBQ sauce recipe blends smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors into one glossy, crave-worthy condiment. Whether you’re glazing grilled chicken, tossing wings, or dipping fries, this homemade sauce brings major flavor without the store-bought junk.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the story of how I discovered this sauce, how to whip it up with just a few pantry staples, and the many ways you can use it all week long. It’s the kind of quick win that turns ordinary meals into something you want to repeat. Believe me, after one taste of this honey and BBQ sauce recipe, you’ll want to keep a jar stocked in your fridge at all times.

table of contents

The Story Behind This Honey and BBQ Sauce Recipe

From Kitchen Chaos to Sticky-Sweet Success

It was one of those nights kids were cranky, the fridge looked sad, and dinner needed to happen fast. I had some chicken thighs thawing, but no plan. I grabbed a half-empty bottle of barbecue sauce and, almost without thinking, squeezed in a generous drizzle of honey. A little stir, a taste test, and just like that, this honey and BBQ sauce recipe was born.

The flavor hit immediately smoky, sweet, with a tangy bite. It coated the chicken perfectly, and within 20 minutes, I had a meal that my whole family devoured. Even my picky eater asked for seconds. That’s when I realized: sometimes, the best recipes aren’t planned. They’re rescued in the chaos.

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Honey BBQ Sauce – 5-Min simple, easy and Sweet to make


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  • Author: sarah meals
  • Total Time: 5
  • Yield: 1 cup

Description

Sweet, smoky, and perfectly tangy, this honey and BBQ sauce recipe comes together in 5 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.


Ingredients

1/2 cup barbecue sauce (smoky or hickory-style)

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Pinch of black pepper


Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine barbecue sauce and honey.

2. Add vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.

3. Stir until smooth and well blended.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

5. Use immediately or store in the fridge.

Notes

Use as a glaze during the last 5–10 minutes of cooking.

Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Great as a dip, glaze, or marinade.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Since that night, I’ve used this honey and BBQ sauce recipe more times than I can count. It’s my go-to when I make these BBQ pineapple chicken skewers, and it’s amazing brushed over copycat Chipotle chicken. It works equally well as a dipping sauce for nuggets or poured over shredded chicken for a quick sandwich.

The best part? You don’t need to be a pro. This sauce comes together in five minutes flat with just a few ingredients you probably already have. And once you taste how rich and sticky that honey makes the barbecue, you’ll never go back to plain bottled sauce again.

If you’re looking for a flavor-packed, no-fuss recipe that delivers every time, this honey and BBQ sauce recipe has your back. It’s simple enough for beginners, but flavorful enough to feel like something special. Up next, I’ll show you exactly how to make it step-by-step. All you need is one bowl and a spoon.

How to Make a Simple Honey and BBQ Sauce Recipe

The 5-Minute Sauce That Changes Everything

Making your own honey and BBQ sauce recipe couldn’t be easier. This isn’t one of those complicated sauces that needs simmering for hours or a dozen obscure spices. All it takes is a bowl, a spoon, and just five minutes to whip it up. You’ll mix, taste, and adjust right on the spot and the result is a sauce that tastes like you spent all day on it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Your favorite BBQ sauce (I go for smoky or mesquite-style)
  • Honey (a good-quality clover or wildflower honey works great)
  • Apple cider vinegar (for tang)
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika (optional, but adds depth)
  • A pinch of black pepper

Start with a 1:1 ratio about ½ cup each of honey and barbecue sauce. Stir in a teaspoon of vinegar, a shake of garlic powder, and a pinch of paprika. Taste as you go. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. Want more bite? A splash more vinegar will balance the flavor beautifully.

This honey and BBQ sauce recipe is flexible enough to match your taste. You can even mix in hot sauce or cayenne if you’re after heat. And once it’s done, the possibilities are endless. Brush it on grilled meats, toss it with wings, or use it as a glaze for your favorite chicken crispy honey.

I also love using this sauce to dress up basic dishes like ground meat and sweet potatoes. It instantly upgrades the flavor without any extra effort.

Whether you’re making dinner in a rush or prepping sauces for the week, this honey and BBQ sauce recipe belongs in your regular rotation. In the next section, I’ll show you exactly how to cook with it and make your meals pop with sweet, smoky goodness.

Cooking with Honey and BBQ Sauce Recipe

How to Use It Without Burning or Losing Flavor

Once you’ve made this honey and BBQ sauce recipe, the next step is using it right. Honey caramelizes fast, which is both a blessing and a challenge. It gives you that sticky, glazed finishm but if you’re not careful, it can burn. The trick is knowing when to apply it and how to cook with it.

If you’re grilling or roasting meat, wait until the last 5–10 minutes of cooking to brush on the sauce. That gives the honey time to thicken and stick without scorching. I use this method often with grilled chicken thighs or drumsticks. For oven-roasting, bake your protein almost all the way through, then slather on the sauce and pop it back in to caramelize.

On the stovetop, cook your chicken or meat until nearly done, then pour the sauce over it and reduce the heat. Stir occasionally as the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly. That’s how I use it in quick skillet meals, especially when I’m pairing it with something bold like Korean BBQ chicken or adding depth to chipotle honey chicken.

This honey and BBQ sauce recipe also works cold. Use it as a dip for tenders, drizzle it over pulled chicken sandwiches, or mix it into ground meat for juicy burgers with a sweet-smoky kick.

No matter how you use it, this sauce elevates everything. It’s ideal for busy cooks who want a flavor boost with zero fuss. Just remember: add it late, watch the heat, and let it shine.

Next, I’ll walk you through smart, fun ways to serve this honey and BBQ sauce recipe, including easy meals you can make all week without getting bored.

Here are some delicious ways to serve and enjoy your honey and BBQ sauce recipe.

Simple Ways to Use It All Week Without Getting Bored

After making this honey and BBQ sauce recipe, you’ll want to use it on just about everything. It’s that one sauce that works for everything from grilled meats to quick snacks and adds bold, sweet-smoky flavor to the simplest meals.

For starters, use it as a glaze. Brush it over baked chicken thighs during the last 10 minutes of roasting for a sticky, flavorful finish. It also works beautifully on grilled meats like pork chops or ribs. One of my favorite ways to use it? Coat cooked wings in the sauce, then return them to the oven for 5 minutes to get that perfect sticky glaze. The sauce caramelizes and clings perfectly.

It’s not just for dinner. Drizzle it over sandwiches or burgers, stir it into shredded chicken for a quick BBQ slider, or serve it alongside air-fried nuggets. I often pair it with crispy dishes like buffalo chicken dip with cottage cheese or dip-ready bites like ground meat air fryer recipes for a flavor-packed snack platter.

Want to use up leftovers? Mix a few spoonfuls of the sauce into warm rice, add sliced grilled chicken, and toss with corn and black beans for a hearty BBQ bowl. Or try it as a glaze for roasted veggies like sweet potatoes or carrots. It brings out the natural sweetness and adds that tangy barbecue edge.

This honey and BBQ sauce recipe stores well, too. Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. It thickens slightly, making it perfect for dips, wraps, or quick weekday meals.

Next, we’ll cover the most common questions people ask when making and using honey BBQ sauce, so you can cook with confidence every time.

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FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Honey and BBQ Sauce Recipe

Can you mix honey with barbecue sauce?

Yes, and it’s a total flavor upgrade. Mixing honey with barbecue sauce creates a balance of smoky and sweet that enhances everything from grilled meats to sandwiches. It also gives your sauce a beautiful glossy finish when cooked properly.

How do you make a simple honey barbecue sauce?

Start with equal parts BBQ sauce and honey. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang, a pinch of garlic powder, and smoked paprika for depth. Stir it all together and taste. This honey and BBQ sauce recipe takes just 5 minutes and can be adjusted to suit your flavor preferences.

Is honey barbecue sauce good?

Absolutely. Honey barbecue sauce is one of the most crowd-pleasing sauces because it offers the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. It works as a glaze, dip, or marinade and is great for kids and adults alike. This honey and BBQ sauce recipe is proof that simple ingredients can make big flavor.

What do you mix with BBQ sauce to customize it?

You can mix in honey for sweetness, vinegar or mustard for tang, and spices like cayenne or smoked paprika for extra kick. Garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and even fruit purees (like pineapple or mango) can add layers of flavor. This honey and BBQ sauce recipe is a great base that you can tweak to your liking.

Conclusion: This Honey and BBQ Sauce Recipe Is Your New Go-To

If you’re looking for one sauce that does it all glazing, dipping, drizzling this honey and BBQ sauce recipe delivers every time. It takes just minutes to make, uses ingredients you already have, and instantly elevates anything you put it on. Whether it’s slathered on grilled chicken, tossed with wings, or stirred into a warm rice bowl, the sweet and smoky flavor hits every time.

What began as a simple kitchen shortcut has become one of my go-to recipes. I’ve paired it with everything from chicken crispy honey to BBQ pineapple chicken skewers, and it never disappoints. It’s simple, flexible, and full of that backyard BBQ taste even if you’re cooking indoors.

So next time you reach for a store-bought bottle, remember: you can make something better in five minutes flat. Keep this honey and BBQ sauce recipe in your fridge, and you’ll always have a way to bring big flavor to the table even on your busiest days.

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