How to make a simple honey barbecue sauce?

It’s incredibly easy. Just combine ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, ¼ cup of honey, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or ketchup. Whisk until smooth. That’s your classic 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce —sweet, tangy, and perfect for dipping or glazing.

Can I just add honey to barbecue sauce?

Yes, you can—but to get a balanced flavor, it’s best to also add a touch of acidity like vinegar or ketchup. Honey adds sweetness, but without something to balance it, the sauce can taste overly sugary. Adding vinegar levels things out and gives it that perfect BBQ finish.

Is honey BBQ just honey and BBQ sauce?

At its most basic, yes. But the best versions—like this 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce —include a third ingredient (usually vinegar or ketchup) to create depth and balance. That third ingredient transforms it from a sweet glaze into a well-rounded sauce. Learn more about flavor layering: How to Cook Chicken Breast – 5 Simple Techniques

What is the secret ingredient in BBQ sauce?

While every BBQ chef has their “secret,” the game-changer is often acidity —like apple cider vinegar, mustard, or citrus juice. It balances the sweetness and adds brightness. In our 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce , that secret weapon is usually vinegar or ketchup.

How to make your own barbecue sauce?

Start with a base like ketchup or tomato paste. Add honey or brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, and spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix and tweak until the flavor hits your sweet spot. Or keep it super simple with our 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce version.

How to make honey sauce for ribs?

Use our base 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce , but double the honey and cut back slightly on the vinegar. Brush it on your ribs during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking. This gives them that irresistible sticky-sweet glaze without burning.

3 ingredient honey bbq sauce

Name: Easy 3 Ingredient Honey BBQ Sauce Irresistible & Ready in 5min
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 0.75 cup (approx. 12 tablespoons)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup BBQ sauce; ¼ cup honey; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or ketchup

This 3 ingredient honey BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, and irresistibly bold—made with just honey, BBQ sauce, and vinegar or ketchup. It’s the ultimate quick-fix sauce for grilling, dipping, or marinating. Ready in 5 minutes, it delivers homemade flavor with zero fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights, summer cookouts, or anytime you want a sticky-sweet glaze on your meats or veggies. Make it once, and it’ll become your go-to!

Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: ~¾ cup

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or ketchup

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a bowl

Whisk until smooth
Use immediately or store in fridge

Notes

Customize with spices, citrus, or garlic

Author: Leona Johnson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Sauce, Dip
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tbsp
Calories: 45 kcal
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 170mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg