Description
This honey BBQ wing sauce recipe creates a glossy, sticky, sweet, and smoky glaze perfect for wings, ribs, or chicken tenders. It’s an easy-to-make homemade sauce that tastes much better than store-bought options and is ideal for various occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 medium yellow onion, very finely grated (about 3 tbsp)
- 0.5 cup tomato paste
- 0.75 cup water
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
- 0.75 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup honey
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (ensure alcohol-free)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp chipotle powder
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.5 tsp tamarind paste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and very finely grated onion, sautéing until softened and fragrant (3-4 minutes).
- Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor. Pour in the water and apple cider vinegar, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer to Perfection: Add the dark brown sugar, honey, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, ground black pepper, and tamarind paste to the saucepan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a glossy, syrupy consistency (15-20 minutes).
- Cool and Serve: Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly. It will thicken further as it cools, developing a perfect sticky texture, ready for tossing with wings or brushing onto grilled meats.
Notes
Store this sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If the sauce gets too thick, add a tablespoon of water or broth to thin it out to your desired consistency. Stir frequently during simmering to prevent sticking, and keep the heat low to prevent sugars from scorching, which can give a bitter taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Calories: 60 calories
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
Keywords: honey bbq, wing sauce, homemade sauce, easy recipe, game day, family favorite, sweet and smoky, glaze, stovetop, condiment