Buzz
Hot honey is a condiment with lasting appeal. Gained popularity through brands like Mike's and Trader Joe's years ago, this spicy-sweet sauce adds a bold kick to fried chicken, grilled meats, roasted veggies, pizza, biscuits, and cheese boards. While it might seem too tempting to make yourself, trust me—hot honey is incredibly easy to whip up at home.
All you need are three basic ingredients: Honey, peppers (whether fresh, dried, or flakes), and a dash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy twist and smooth consistency. That’s all!
Create your own hot honey using fresh or dried peppers for an extra kick.
Hot honey is a versatile condiment that pairs wonderfully with both fresh peppers and dried chili flakes. Even those crushed red pepper packets from your favorite pizza place work perfectly, as do the dried guajillo peppers lingering in your pantry (just make sure to chop them up first), or the lonely jalapeño that didn’t make it into your last salsa batch.
When using dried peppers, aim for about two to three tablespoons of crushed peppers per cup of honey. If you're working with fresh peppers, go for one or two sliced peppers per cup, adjusting based on their size, heat level, and your personal spice tolerance.
Simple Homemade Hot Honey
Ingredients:
1 fresh pepper, like a serrano or jalapeño, or 2-3 tablespoons of crushed dried peppers or red pepper flakes
1 cup honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For fresh peppers: Begin by preparing your fresh peppers. Wash and dry them thoroughly, then slice them thinly and place the slices in a small saucepan. Add honey and gently heat the mixture for about 2 minutes without letting it come to a boil. Once done, remove from heat, stir in apple cider vinegar, and strain out the pepper pieces. Let it cool. (You can save the pepper bits for adding to salads or for sprinkling on cornbread to create a sweet and spicy crunch.) Store the hot honey in an airtight jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
For dried peppers: If you're using whole, dried peppers like guajillo, chipotle, or chile de àrbol, start by removing the stems (and seeds if you prefer a milder heat). Toast them briefly in a dry skillet until they begin to darken, then let them cool completely. Once cooled, break them into flakes by pulsing in a food processor. Measure out 2-3 tablespoons of flakes (depending on your preferred spice level) or use 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper, then add it to a small saucepan with the honey. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and mix in the vinegar. There's no need to strain the hot honey made with dried peppers or flakes, though you can if you like a smoother texture. Simply pour it into a jar or bottle and store it in a cool, dry place.
The fun part of creating your own hot honey is the freedom to experiment. Don’t hesitate to try different peppers, swap out the vinegar for a different flavor, or even add a dash or two of hot sauce to kick things up a notch.
