If you've never had a chance to try honey gold sauce, I highly recommend giving this recipe a go! It's super easy to make and goes well with so many different dishes. Get creative and experiment with different variations and spice levels to find your perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
I have been having so much fun with my sauce recreation series. One of my recent favorites was recreating Freddy's fry sauce from the popular fast food chain.
Today, I am excited to share another sauce recipe that will surely become a staple in your household - honey gold sauce!
I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to make and how good the end result turned out!
This versatile sauce is a delicious combination of honey, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors makes this sauce perfect for dipping chicken tenders, fries or even drizzling over a salad.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- A delicious combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
- It goes well with so many different dishes - from chicken tenders to salads!
- The molasses adds a depth of flavor and richness to the sauce.
- Mustard and apple cider vinegar add a tangy kick that pairs well with the sweetness of honey.
- This recipe is gluten-free and can easily be made vegan!
Key ingredients
Making your own honey gold sauce at home is incredibly easy. With just a few handfuls of ingredients, you'll have an endless supply of this tangy sauce at all times.
Let's take a look at some key ingredients and why they're important in making this dish:
- Spice Blend: For this homemade spice blend, I used paprika, allspice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Together, they create a well-rounded and flavorful seasoning for the sauce.
- Honey: The star of the show! The natural sweetness of honey adds a rich depth to the sauce, balancing out the tanginess of mustard and vinegar.
- Mustard: A classic condiment, mustard brings a bold and sharp flavor to the sauce. It also helps in emulsifying the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
- Molasses: This dark, thick syrup adds a depth of flavor and richness to the sauce. It also helps in achieving that beautiful golden brown color.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: To balance out the sweetness of honey, I used apple cider vinegar for its subtle tanginess. You can use white vinegar or just add more lime juice as well.
Heather's helpful hints
To make the perfect honey gold sauce, here are a few tips and tricks from me to you:
- Be patient: Don't rush while heating and simmering the sauce. Let it thicken gradually for the best consistency.
- Play with the spice: Adjust the spice levels to your taste by adding more or less hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
- Double or triple the recipe: If you love this sauce as much as I do, make a larger batch and store it in an airtight jar for future use! It will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Step-by-step instructions
This is where we get to the good stuff - making your very own honey gold sauce! Just follow these simple steps:
1) Measure out all of the spices and make the seasoning blend.
2) Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot, along with the spices, and whisk them together.
3) Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Cool it down and pour it into an airtight container or squeeze bottle for later.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to put your own spin on this classic sauce? Here are a few ideas to get you started and make this honey gold dipping sauce your own:
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for a more earthy flavor.
- Add a splash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Use soy sauce instead of apple cider vinegar for an Asian-inspired twist.
- For a vegan option, you can use agave nectar instead of honey.
Make ahead and storage
This honey gold sauce recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just reheat before using, or enjoy it cold as a dipping sauce.
Equipment
You'll need the following pieces of equipment to make this delicious honey gold sauce for wings...
- Whisk: A whisk works best for smoothly combining all the ingredients and keeping the sauce from clumping or getting lumpy.
- Pot: You'll need a pot or saucepan to heat the sauce and bring it to a simmer.
Meal ideas
The first time I ever tried honey gold sauce was on a plate of crispy chicken wings, and it's been my go-to ever since. Pair it with some seasoned fries, celery, and carrot sticks with a bit of ranch, and you have yourself a delicious feast!
Here are a few more ideas to enjoy this sauce:
- Drizzle it over grilled chicken, pork, or salmon for some added flavor.
- Use it as a dressing for your favorite salad or coleslaw recipe.
- Mix it with cream cheese and spread it on crackers for an easy appetizer.
- Serve it as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries, pretzel bites, onion rings, or fried pickles.
Frequently asked questions
Molasses is a dark, thick syrup made from boiling down sugar cane or sugar beet juice. I love to use it to make cakes or cookies. It adds a deep, rich flavor to dishes.
If you don't have molasses, you can substitute it with brown sugar or honey. However, the flavor and color may differ slightly.
Yes, feel free to throw in extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper to crank up the heat in this sauce. Just tweak it to your liking for that perfect level of spiciness.
Yes, you can substitute Dijon mustard for regular mustard in this recipe. Just keep in mind that Dijon has a stronger flavor, so adjust accordingly.
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Recipe
Honey Gold Sauce
Ingredients
Spice Blend
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Sauce Ingredients
- ¾ cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- Transfer to a pot, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Cool and transfer to an airtight container or squeeze bottle for storage.
- Add to food as a dressing sauce or use for dipping!
Notes and Tips
- This sauce is a blend of honey mustard and spicy flavor. Use this on chicken tenders, meatless, nuggets, and pretzels.
- The ingredient list includes water, yellow mustard, sugar, soybean oil, honey, distilled vinegar, garlic powder, tomato paste, molasses, apple cider vinegar, salt, egg yolk, apple juice concentrate, black pepper, lime juice, onion powder, allspice, paprika, ketchup, tamarind concentrate, cayenne pepper, and citric acid.
Kim
So delicious! Had it with chicken fingers and my family loved it!
Heather
I'm so glad this worked out for your family, Kim!