Why You’ll Love this Honey Garlic Sauce
This honey garlic sauce is truly a game-changer for your kitchen repertoire. I’ve tested countless sauce recipes, but this one hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, and just a touch tangy from the lemon juice.
You’ll appreciate how versatile it is. Slather it on wings, use it as a glaze for salmon, or drizzle over roasted vegetables. Who doesn’t love a sauce that works with practically everything?
The black sesame seeds add a wonderful visual contrast and subtle nutty flavor, while the minced garlic provides that aromatic punch we all crave.
Trust me, your family will be asking what’s in this magical concoction.
What Ingredients are in Honey Garlic Sauce?
This honey garlic sauce combines the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance.
The magic happens when the honey’s sweetness meets the umami depth of soy sauce, while fresh garlic adds that aromatic punch we all love in Asian-inspired sauces.
It’s a simple combination of pantry staples that, when mixed together, creates something so much more than the sum of its parts.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cooking sherry
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters.
Opt for a good-quality honey—the flavor really shines through in this sauce.
And those garlic cloves? Fresh is definitely best, as pre-minced garlic often lacks the vibrant punch needed here.
The cooking sherry adds a subtle depth that might seem optional but really rounds out the flavor profile.
Don’t have black sesame seeds? Regular ones work too, though they won’t provide the same striking visual contrast against the amber-colored sauce.
How to Make this Honey Garlic Sauce
Making this honey garlic sauce couldn’t be simpler—it’s the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff. The process is so straightforward that you’ll have it
Honey Garlic Sauce Substitutions and Variations
While our basic honey garlic sauce recipe creates a fantastic flavor foundation, sometimes you might need to adjust for dietary restrictions or simply want to experiment with different taste profiles.
Need a gluten-free option? Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
Can’t do honey? Try maple syrup or agave nectar—slightly different flavor but still deliciously sweet.
No sherry in your pantry? I’ve used rice vinegar in a pinch, which adds a nice tang.
For flavor variations, try adding ginger, sriracha for heat, or orange juice instead of lemon.
My personal favorite twist? A tablespoon of hoisin sauce for depth. Trust me, your wings will thank you.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Sauce
Beyond its role as a delicious wing coating, honey garlic sauce pairs beautifully with countless dishes that benefit from its sweet-savory magic.
I love drizzling it over stir-fried veggies or using it as a glaze for salmon fillets. Heavenly.
Try it with:
- Rice bowls topped with grilled chicken
- Dipping sauce for crispy tofu
- Brushed onto pork tenderloin
- Tossed with roasted Brussels sprouts
Sometimes I’ll thin it slightly with water for a lighter dressing on salads.
The black sesame seeds add such nice visual contrast, don’t they? Perfect when you need that sticky-sweet-umami balance.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve mastered this honey garlic sauce recipe, your kitchen arsenal will never be the same. I’ve watched friends’ eyes light up when they taste it for the first time—that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors coating crispy wings.
What I love most about this sauce is its versatility. Having a batch ready in the fridge means weeknight dinners are just minutes away. Ever tried it on grilled salmon? Life-changing.
Honey Garlic Sauce for Flavorful Wings
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and water in a small saucepan.
- Add ketchup and cooking sherry, whisking to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Stir in the minced garlic and black sesame seeds.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before using as a glaze or dipping sauce.
