Starting barbecue season has become easier with a 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce. This sauce showcases a blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors most simply.
I love how quick and straightforward it is to make—it’s likely one of those recipes you walk into the kitchen for simply because it’s already there!
This easy recipe for honey BBQ sauce is sure to enhance anything you use it on: chicken, ribs, or vegetables. The best part is that the 3-ingredient honey BBQ sauce can use your ketchup, or you can customize it with your favourite ingredients.
I’ve even made a sugarless version for those keeping it light. Trust me, once you make this sauce, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought ones!
Why This 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce is Perfect for You
I remember the first time I made 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce. It was on a warm summer evening; my husband was grilling chicken, and there was nothing to enhance it. I had every ingredient suggested for this: ketchup, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
I decided to give it a try. Oh! It turned out to be the best homemade BBQ sauce I have ever tasted! Since then, it has been my go-to barbecue sauce for those quick yet indulgent meals.
Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, this honey barbecue sauce complements everything from grilled chicken to burgers (and let’s not forget those back ribs and BBQ chicken thighs that just need a little final touch).
It is also quick to prepare, and its bold flavours will keep your family or friends talking.
How To Make 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce
Recipe Overview
If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss BBQ sauce, this 3-ingredient honey BBQ sauce is the answer! With just a few pantry staples, you can have a flavorful sauce that’s perfect for grilled meats or even veggies. Here’s a quick overview of the recipe:
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes (just stir and go!)
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Condiment
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 1 cup
- Calories per serving: ~50 calories (for 2 tablespoons)
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup (regular or homemade, it works either way)
- 2 tablespoons honey (add more if you like it extra sweet)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (this adds the tang, trust me—it makes all the difference!)
Instructions
- Mix the Ingredients
Put the ketchup, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and mix them. Mix them until they are all the same colour. That’s all there is to it—no cooking needed! - Taste and Adjust
If you want your sauce to be a little sweeter, add another teaspoon of honey. Want it to have more of a bite? Put in just a little more vinegar. You can change this sauce to make it taste just how you like it. - Serve and Enjoy
Your easy honey BBQ sauce is ready now! Put it right away on your favourite grilled chicken, ribs, or veggie burger. I love to put it on BBQ chicken thighs because it makes the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and tangy. It’s that simple.
Here Are My Secret Tips for Making Perfect Honey BBQ Sauce
- Use Fresh Ketchup: The flavour of your dish can be greatly impacted by the quality of your ketchup. Whenever possible, opt for a premium, natural ketchup for a more pronounced flavour.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you would rather not use honey, you can use a sugar-free sweetener. Keep in mind that this may slightly change the flavour.
- Make It Smokier: Add a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika if you enjoy smoky BBQ flavors. It elevates the flavor to a new level.
- Storage Tips: If you keep this sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container, it will keep for weeks. For the best flavor, I suggest using it within a month.
Exciting Variations and Serving Ideas
- Grilled Chicken: This sauce is just the perfect finishing touch for grilled chicken breasts or wings. A quick brush before the last few minutes of grilling will get you that sticky, caramelised finish.
- Short Ribs: Give your back ribs a generous coating of barbecue sauce before slow cooking and treat them to tender, flavorful meat.
- BBQ Chicken Thighs: And I want to remind you not to forget barbecue chicken thighs! This barbecue sauce just does something to the thighs that creates a sweet and tangy finish.
- Fresh Blackberry BBQ Sauce: Take Your BBQ to the Next Level. Stir in a dollop of your homemade blackberry jam for a fruity twist.
Serve your 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce with a fresh green salad, charcoal-grilled corn on the cob, or some crisp short ribs for a delightful summer lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this honey BBQ sauce on grilled chicken?
Absolutely! It goes great with grilled chicken thighs, BBQ chicken, or even grilled chicken wings.
How long can I store this sauce?
You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If you make a large batch, just heat it up before serving.
Can I make this sauce spicy?
Sure! You can add a pinch of cayenne, chilli powder, or a drop of hot sauce to give it a spicy kick.
Can I use this sauce without sugar?
If you want a no-sugar version, you can use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, or simply skip the sweetener for a tangy BBQ sauce.
Conclusions
This 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce is easy to make, quick to prepare, and delicious. It’s the ideal finishing touch when dipped over grilled chicken, short ribs, or even vegetables.
For impromptu cookouts, I always have a jar of this honey BBQ sauce in the refrigerator. The fact that it is completely customizable is the best feature!
For a lighter version, use the 3-Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce without sugar, or make it with ketchup. Regardless of the approach you take, I can assure you that this sauce will become your new barbecue secret weapon!
Ingredients
Method
- Put the ketchup, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and mix them. Mix them until they are all the same colour. That’s all there is to it—no cooking needed!
- If you want your sauce to be a little sweeter, add another teaspoon of honey. Want it to have more of a bite? Put in just a little more vinegar. You can change this sauce to make it taste just how you like it.
- Your easy honey BBQ sauce is ready now! Put it right away on your favourite grilled chicken, ribs, or veggie burger. I love to put it on BBQ chicken thighs because it makes the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and tangy. It’s that simple.
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