This Jalapeno Honey Sauce is a fabulous blend of honey's natural sweetness and bold flavors of jalapeno. This is a versatile sauce that is ready in under 5 minutes.
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Why we all love this recipe
Multi-purpose at Its Best: This Jalapeno honey sauce is more than just a traditional sauce. Drizzle it over your grilled chicken and use it as a dipping sauce(try these Chinese French fries), drizzle over chicken wings(honor mention Hot honey lemon pepper wings), or toss it as a salad dressing.
Quick and Easy: With minimal equipment and a handful of simple ingredients(like plain honey, jalapeños, and apple cider vinegar), you can create a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce(perfect for this Spicy French toast).
A Sauce for Everyone: If you're vegan, you can still enjoy this sauce with the same flavor profile by swapping the honey with a plant-based alternative like agave nectar or maple syrup.
How to make Jalapeno Honey Sauce
Ingredients
Jalapeno Peppers: I recommend using fresh Jalapeno peppers. Feel free to add fresh habanero or Carolina Reaper for more profound heat.
Honey: Although any variety of honey works for this recipe, I prefer raw, unprocessed honey for its rich flavors. If you're looking for an alternative, agave nectar or maple syrup are some of the classic substitutes.
Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide a robust flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar: The tangy and slightly fruity nature of apple cider vinegar adds a beautiful depth to our Jalapeno Honey Sauce. You may also swap with white or rice vinegar.
Corn Starch: Works as the thickening agent in this Jalapeno honey sauce recipe; you can substitute it with tapioca flour. Dilute it in water before adding it to the sauce to avoid lumps.
Directions
Preparing the Jalapeños: Start by washing and thinly slicing the jalapeños. If you prefer this sauce with mild heat, remove the seeds and membrane(you may add it later to suit your heat tolerance).
Blend: To a blender jar, add chopped jalapeños, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and soy sauce. Blend everything until you have a smooth mixture.
Cook the Sauce: Place a small saucepan over medium-low heat and pour in the blended mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens.
Add the honey: Turn the heat off; now is the time to add honey. Stir continuously until it blends well with the sauce.
Cool and Serve: Allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to a serving dish or storage container.
What to serve with?
Barbecue Chicken: Brush the sauce on grilled chicken(try on these Pan-fried Garlic Chicken, Spicy garlic lime chicken, or Hot and spicy Chinese chicken) or shrimp for a sweet and spicy flavor combination(tasting similar to this Honey Sriracha shrimp). Serve with a side of cornbread and coleslaw(like this Cajun coleslaw or Jalapeno coleslaw) for a complete meal.
Burgers: For a satisfying meal, spread the sauce on your burgers and top them with melted cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
Baked Brie: Bake the brie cheese until it becomes soft and gooey. Drizzle the jalapeño honey sauce on top and serve with crackers or sliced baguette as an appetizer.
For Breakfast: Use the jalapeño honey sauce as a unique and flavorful topping for toasts or pancakes(same as this Spicy avocado toast, Vegetable Pancake Poppers, or Korean zucchini pancakes). Serve with crispy bacon or fresh fruit.
How to store Jalapeno Honey Sauce?
In the refrigerator: After making this jalapeño honey sauce, allow it to cool down before storing it. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
In the freezer: Transfer the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container. Leave some space on the top for expansion. Seal the container tightly to prevent any freezer burn. Store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thawing: Place the frozen jalapeno honey sauce in the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually. Or gently melt it down using the microwave.
Reheating: Reheat it on the stove using a small saucepan or microwave it in 30-second intervals. Stir it occasionally for uniform heat.
Variations
Spicy Jalapeno honey sauce: You may increase the quantity of jalapenos or add hot chili peppers like cayenne pepper or habanero peppers.
Smoky: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to this jalapeno honey sauce for a deeper, smoky flavor.
Herb-infused: To add an herbal twist, mix one tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro or parsley with the sauce after it has simmered.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you prefer, you can adjust the Sauce's spiciness to suit your taste. Remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapeños before cooking for a milder flavor.
Cooking the jalapeños helps soften them and release their flavors. It also helps to infuse the honey with the spiciness of the jalapeños.
Absolutely! This jalapeño honey sauce can be a flavorful marinade for meats or vegetables. Brush it onto your desired ingredients before cooking or grilling.
Yes, you can increase or decrease the amount of honey according to your taste preferences.
Tools recommended for this recipe
Knife: A sharp knife is needed in this jalapeno honey sauce recipe to slice the jalapeños and mince the garlic thinly.
Stirring spoon: A stirring spoon is essential for combining the ingredients in the saucepan.
Airtight jar: A proper container is needed to store the Sauce.
Printable recipe card
Jalapeño honey Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 jalapeños seeds, and membranes removed for less heat
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Remove the seeds and the white membrane(reserve it).
- Dilute corn starch with water and set aside.
- And roughly chop the jalapeños.
- Add the chopped jalapeños, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, soy sauce, and the diluted cornstarch to the blender jar.
- Blend until it turns to a smoother consistency.
- Over medium-low heat, place a small saucepan and pour the blended mixture.
- Add in the reserved seeds to match your heat tolerance.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove it from the heat.
- Add honey and stir until honey blends well with the Sauce.
- Serve with dressing or as a dip. And ENJOY!!!
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