After your first taste of this Sweet and Sour Hot Pepper Honey, you'll be busy thinking of a million different ways to use it. It's THAT good, and THAT versatile!
The proper balance of sweet and salty, and sweet and savory flavor is what makes food so appealing in most cases. Take, for instance, the following examples and you'll know exactly what I mean - Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks, Oma's Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage, No-Mayo Sweet and Sour Coleslaw, and Copycat Payday Candy Bars just to name a few.
This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.
Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredients
- Ingredient information:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Why this recipe works
- What is the flavor and heat level of guajillo chile peppers?
- Tips and tricks for recipe success
- How to adjust the heat and sour level of hot honey?
- How to store hot honey
- How much hot pepper honey does this recipe make?
- Does Sweet and Sour Hot Pepper Honey make a good gift?
- Different ways to use hot pepper honey
- Recipes suggestions for using hot pepper honey
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredients
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Ingredient information:
HONEY - I used an entire bottle (19 ounces) of organic raw honey I bought at Costco. Feel free to use whatever honey you like or have on hand.
LEMON JUICE - Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best if you can manage it. I used two medium lemons for this recipe to get approximately two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
DRIED PEPPERS - I used four guajillo chile peppers. I cut off the stem end of the pepper and dropped them (seeds and all) into the saucepan to simmer with the honey. However, if you'd like to remove the seeds from the pepper, you can certainly do that.
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- heavy bottom saucepan
- gloves (optional, for handling peppers)
- silicone spatula
- fine mesh strainer
- airtight jars for storage
- paring knife (for preparing peppers)
- cutting board
- whisk
Save this for later.
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Email forwarding service for saving information.
Why this recipe works
I've never been a huge fan of overly hot and spicy food. One of the things I like so much about this homemade hot honey is that you can easily tailor it to your preferred heat level by how much or how little dried peppers you use and how long you heat it on the stovetop. In both of these instances, more is more.
What is the flavor and heat level of guajillo chile peppers?
The heat level of these peppers is similar to jalapenos, being medium to mild.
Guajillo chiles have a sweet and smoky flavor with hints of tea and berries.
Tips and tricks for recipe success
Do not cover the saucepan as the honey simmers because you'll need to watch it closely.
While simmering the hot honey on the stovetop, don't stray too far, or you may have to contend with a sticky boilover (not that that happened to me! lol). Keep a close eye on the honey as it simmers, and stir it frequently.
If desired, use a fine mesh strainer to strain any unwanted pepper or chili seeds out of the hot honey before adding it into jars for storage.
How to adjust the heat and sour level of hot honey?
Once the honey is ready to transfer into jars, cool it slightly and taste.
If you feel the honey needs additional lemon juice, now is the time to add it. Stir it well to incorporate it into the honey before adding it to the storage jar.
If you feel it needs additional heat, you can add as many pepper slices into the honey jars as you prefer, and as the honey sits, its heat level will increase over time.
How to store hot honey
Hot Pepper Honey can be stored indefinitely in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, either in a cupboard or on the countertop.
Do not store honey in direct sunlight or near heated appliances.
How much hot pepper honey does this recipe make?
As written, this recipe makes two 8-ounce jars.
Does Sweet and Sour Hot Pepper Honey make a good gift?
It sure does.
Place a jar (or two) of hot honey in a basket along with a loaf of fresh home-baked English Muffin Bread, a pretty tea cup and saucer, and an assortment of flavorful teas, and the recipient will be ever so pleased with your thoughtfulness.
Different ways to use hot pepper honey
Mix it with mayonnaise and your favorite mustard to make a delicious sandwich spread that will knock their socks off.
Use it alone as a condiment for everyday foods like fish, chicken, and pork.
Add it to a charcuterie board, and drizzle it on your favorite cheese and fruit.
Use it in specialty cocktails or add a drizzle to a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Add it to roasted vegetables for an extra pop of flavor.
Add it to lemonade or a fruit smoothie.
Chicken wings are extra flavorful, dipped in sweet and sour hot pepper honey.
Mix hot pepper honey with apricot jam or preserves to make a delicious sauce for egg rolls or wontons.
Drizzle hot pepper honey over ice cream for a new taste sensation.
Pour a little over a slice of apple pie. You'll be glad you did!
How will you use your sweet and sour hot pepper honey? Do tell.
Recipes suggestions for using hot pepper honey
Homemade Crescent Rolls with Orange and Honey are perfectly delicious! This buttery, sweet, enriched yeast dough is what dreams are made of.
Upside Down Bratwurst and Cheese Pastry Appetizers are a deliciously savory treat with a crispy crunch everyone loves.
Cornbread Breakfast Casserole with Sausage is the perfect savory breakfast with a little touch of sweetness to start the day in a delicious way.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Sweet and Sour Hot Pepper Honey
Equipment
- citrus juicer optional
- 8 ounce airtight glass jars with latch for storage
Ingredients
- 16 ounces honey
- 4 medium dried guajillo chiles with or without seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a heavy bottom saucepan and simmer over medium/low heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. *Note - watch carefully to avoid boilover.
- Turn off the heat and allow the honey mixture to steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Carefully strain the hot honey into airtight jars. If desired add a few slices of the honey-infused chiles to each jar for additional flavor. Allow to cool completely before adding the lid to the jars.
- Store the hot pepper honey in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making (and eating) today's homemade sweet and hot honey recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Comments
No Comments