My honey garlic sauce balances sweet and savory, all in sauce format. I love using this as a sauce for chicken, a glaze, and even as a marinade!
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My Easy Honey Garlic Sauce for Chicken
The first time I whipped up my honey garlic sauce, it was almost accidental. I wanted something that would jazz up the chicken thighs I was making for dinner without overpowering them.
I looked around the kitchen and saw some wings in the fridge for a football game the next day, and that’s when the idea of honey garlic sauce popped into my head.
I wanted something that would be delicious on the chicken thighs, but also add an unique pop of flavor to the wings for the game.
I remember pulling out the sauce the next day during the football game. My husband Ben looked at me and realized it was the sauce from last night’s dinner. I have never seen this man brag to his friends so much about a sauce.
I heard one of his friends say, “She’s a genius,” after taking a bite. That one made me smirk. By the end of the game, they had already asked for the recipe 3 times, so here it is, boys!
And, if you love a good sauce recipe, try my recipes for buffalo sauce, honey sriracha sauce, big mac sauce, spicy mayo, 3 ingredient bbq sauce, honey buffalo sauce, and tzatziki sauce.
Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- Butter
- Garlic
- Honey – while I have used maple syrup in place of this, I prefer honey
- Water
- Brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar tastes great
- Soy sauce – I have used low-sodium and regular soy sauce with success
- Rice vinegar
- Cornstarch
How to Make Honey Garlic Sauce
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
STEP TWO: Whisk in the honey, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. Stir it well to combine.
STEP THREE: Stir frequently and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer it for about 5 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough that it coats the back of a spoon.
STEP FOUR: Remove it from the heat and allow a few minutes for the sauce to cool, then pour it into a small bowl, mason jar, or other desired container. Enjoy!
Tips and tricks for the best Honey Garlic Wing Sauce
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best results. I always mince my own for that punchy flavor I just can’t get from the jarred stuff.
- Whisk continuously when adding the cornstarch. This is how I keep the sauce nice and smooth while avoiding any clumps.
- Simmer slowly so the garlic honey sauce thickens nicely without losing flavor.
- Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking and help all the ingredients really meld together.
- Test the sauce and adjust the ingredients as needed. A little taste always tells me if it needs more sweetness or a touch more soy sauce!
Honey Garlic Sauce for Chicken Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- To add some heat, I like to sprinkle in a dash of chili pepper flakes.
- For a vegan version, swap the butter for olive oil and the honey for maple syrup. I find the maple syrup adds a slightly different flavor, but it’s every bit as delicious!
- A squeeze of lemon gives the sauce a zesty twist that complements the sweetness nicely.
- Instead of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder can be used to thicken the sauce. However, they are not all 1 to 1 substitutions, so I recommend doing a bit of research first to get it right.
- Substitute powdered garlic if fresh isn’t available. I sometimes do this when I want a milder garlicky flavor.
What to Serve With This Honey Garlic Sauce recipe
I love pairing honey garlic sauce with chicken dishes like chicken wings with dry rub, boneless wings, or baked split chicken breast.
It’s also incredible over salmon, traditional meatballs, air fryer shrimp, pork tenderloin, air fryer tofu, or pork chops! It’s a very versatile sauce.
Honey Garlic Sauce FAQs
What Is Honey Garlic Wing Sauce Made Of?
One of my favorite parts about this honey garlic sauce recipe is that it uses super simple ingredients to achieve big flavor! Butter, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, cornstarch, and water come together for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
What Else Can I Use This Honey Garlic Glaze on?
My sweet, savory, Asian-inspired sauce is also incredible for dressing up an easy side dish. I love to serve it over broccoli, baby potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots and asparagus.
When I’m in the mood for comfort, I really enjoy this sauce on mashed potatoes or rice!
How Long Can Honey Garlic Sauce Last In The Fridge?
I recommend storing leftover sauce in a glass jar or airtight container inside the refrigerator. I love using a mason jar. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
How can I reheat honey garlic sauce?
I like to gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat until it’s warmed through and pours easily. That said, this sauce tastes incredible when cold as well.
Can I make This Sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! I sometimes make a batch on Sunday night so I can use it throughout the week to add quick flavor to meals. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights. It stores for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
More Easy Recipes
- 7 layer dip
- Air fryer buffalo wings
- London broil marinade
- Chicken spaghetti
- Shrimp fried rice
- Oven baked chicken tenders
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Slow cooker pulled pork
- Lemon chicken
Easy Honey Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- â…“ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the honey, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch and whisk well to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring frequently, and then allow it to simmer for 5 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Allow to cool slightly before eating.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best results.
- Whisk continuously when adding the cornstarch. It keeps the sauce nice and smooth while avoiding any clumps.
- Simmer slowly so the garlic honey sauce thickens nicely without losing flavor.
- Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking and help all the ingredients really meld together.
- Test the sauce and adjust the ingredients as needed.
- Store leftovers in a glass jar or airtight container inside the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
My daughter-in-law has celiac, slightest thing sets her off, even to making sandwiches, has to wear rubber glove, so she does not react. What can I use as thickening agent and quantity. She even reacts to corn starch, as I make yummy creamy garlic prawns and thicken that with corn starch, so I make hers then add the corn starch for everyone else
Hi Mark, I would use arrowroot flour to thicken it up.
Way better than store bought and easy to make too! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Andrea, you are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
I made some wings that were in desperate need of sauce and I came across this recipe. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re so welcome, Mallory! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!
Which soy sauce light or dark
Hi Sarah, Great question! I used the all-purpose soy sauce that is available in most grocery chains. I hope this helps!
Why both honey AND brown sugar?
Can you just use more honey?
Hi Rode, Yes, honey garlic sauce uses both ingredients. The recipe will still work if you use just the honey, but the it may end up quite a bit thinner than desired.