A big fan of honey mustard sauce, I love making it at home for the benefits of making your own sauces over store-bought sauces with added preservatives. With simple ingredients, a couple of simple steps, and an extra minute, this Hot Honey Mustard Sauce is ready quickly, and you know exactly which ingredients you’re using.
That’s how you get the perfect combination of sweet and tangy for the best flavor. This classic hot honey mustard sauce gains a touch of heat from the addition of hot sauce and rice vinegar, giving a little boost.
Hot Honey Mustard Sauce-The Short Answer
With just few ingredients, I can whip up a batch to keep on hand for the week; it goes well with different dishes for dipping, drizzling, or stirring into meals, and works great in homemade sauces and fresh dressings.
Sweet Heat Benefits
- One of the best perks of Hot honey mustard is how EASY TO PREP it is, with active time of just a few minutes of simmering in a saucepan, which can truly make this recipe a go-to for me.
- I often Use it as a quick dip or drizzle it over roasted veggies or meats, and I enjoy how naturally it fits in everyday meals.
- What I appreciate most is how VERSATILE it is—you can easily modify it to make a smooth vinaigrette, whether you want something sweet or savory.
Ingredients
Sweet and Spicy Base
- This easy, spicy honey mustard sauce is made with a handful of simple ingredients. I like Dijon from the black seed because it’s slightly bolder than typical yellow; a little bit can add tangy flavor that pairs well as a dressing.
- You need hot honey. I often use Mike’s brand, but Any regular honey from the pantry, even if crystallized over time, will work. If you want to make it at home, heat it with red pepper flakes on the stovetop over medium heat until simmering, let it infuse for 15 minutes, then strain. Note that certain honeys have different undertones, such as clover.
Balance and Brightness
- I trust Extra-Virgin Olive Oil because it balances flavor and contains heart-healthy fats that support brain and hormone health; I always suggest using a quality oil in every recipe.
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar to enhance acidity, or use lemon juice, white wine, or rice vinegar instead. Garlic, Kosher Salt, and Black pepper tie the flavors together with a gentle kick. Follow the instructions: 2 tablespoon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ teaspoon flakes, 1 clove, ¼ cup oil, and a dash.
Creamy Texture and Heat Control
- Mayonnaise keeps it creamy and dippable, but too much can overshadow taste. I always opt for a super thick mayo like Primal Kitchen; oil- or avocado-based mayos taste stronger, so feel free to blend stoneground and Dijon.
- For extra heat, I use whatever is in the fridge—I’ve used Frank’s RedHot Original since it’s widely available, and there’s almost always a bottle ready. However, you can change the spice level and overall flavor just by swapping it out for another sauce, using 2-3 tablespoons, 3 ⅓ teaspoons, or serving it over rice.
Instructions
Flavor-First Method
When someone asks me How to make hot honey mustard sauce, I share the Truth: a good recipe is more than quick mixing. I have tested it in a side-by-side taste test, and one version clearly won. I would always publish the BEST result, not just the faster one. You can still whip up a batch in less than 10 minutes that keeps well in the fridge.
- Reduce hot sauce and honey on stovetop in a saucepan over medium-high heat
- Let it boil, then simmer, whisking occasionally
- Cook until the mixture is reduced by ¼
- Remove from heat, let it cool slightly
- Whisk in mustard and mayonnaise
- Taste, adjust to your needs — and truly, that’s it
Classic Step Base
Clear instructions, simple visuals, and this easy recipe make the process smooth.
- Step 1: whisk Dijon mustard, hot honey, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, grated garlic, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a mason jar or small bowl
- Step 2: drizzle extra virgin olive oil until emulsified
From experience, adding the oil slowly gives the sauce better body. For deeper flavor:
- Add honey and hot sauce
- cook for 8-10 minutes
- Stir mustard and mayonnaise into the warm honey-hot sauce mixture
- Keep whisking until completely smooth
Flexible Mixing Options
The Instructions can easily adjust to your style.
- Alternative Option #1: Shake it up, skip whisk, combine all ingredients, focus on securing lid, keep shaking until well combined for a quick Hot Honey Mustard dressing
- Alternative Option #2: Blend it Up in a food processor or blender until fully blended for 30-60 seconds and perfectly smooth
My personal Hint: add olive oil slowly at the end, using steady motion and even vigorously whisking so the dressing can emulsify properly.
Finish & Storage
For quick Directions:
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, rice vinegar, honey, and hot sauce in a bowl
- Transfer to a sealed container
- refrigerate in the refrigerator until ready to use
- Keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks
Pro Tips
Flavor Balance and Texture Control
- When making homemade sauces like Hot Honey Mustard Sauce, it may feel intimidating, but it’s easy with simple mixing of fresh ingredients at home.
- I’ve noticed flavors can vary a bit based on the brand and variety of each ingredient, so always taste the dressing once it’s mixed and adjust if needed.
- If you like bold dressings on the spicy side, add red pepper flakes; for a sweeter twist, mix in more honey.
- For a thicker sauce, cut the olive oil in half.
- To make it thin, add a little water until you reach the perfect consistency.
- This simple approach gives full control over the flavor, with no need for additives often found in a shop-bought version, and the result tastes amazingly fresh.
Storage and Serving Tips
- Store any leftover in an airtight container in the fridge or refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- It’s normal for the oil to separate or even solidify.
- Simply take it out, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then shake to combine before using again.
Variation & Substitution
- Turn your hot honey mustard sauce into a marinade by adding 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar per ¼ cup.
- Make a light vinaigrette with 3 tablespoons of red vinegar or apple cider vinegar. I’ve tested this recipe many times, and small variations like these help me customize the flavor to my liking, giving the Honey Mustard Dressing a fresh spin while keeping the sauce balanced with gentle heat and bold Spice.
- For a Spicier and even spicer twist, add a slight extra kick—double the red pepper flakes, mix in your favorite hot sauce, extra hot sauce, or a dash of cayenne pepper to raise the heat.
- Want it Sweeter? Stir in a bit more honey to make it naturally sweeter.
- Prefer a richer dressing? Make it Creamy and extra creamy with a tablespoon of tahini. These suggestions keep you creative and help the flavor feel just right.
Nutrition
When I look at the Nutrition of hot honey mustard sauce, I always start with the Serving size, which is 2tablespoon, because that small portion already contains Calories of 150kcal. From my experience, it is easy to pour more than that, so knowing the numbers really helps. Here is how it breaks down:
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
- Sodium: 330mg
Keeping track of these values makes it easier for me to enjoy the sauce without overdoing it, especially when pairing it with already salty or fried foods.
FAQ’s
Do I have to use extra virgin olive oil?
For this Hot Honey Mustard Sauce, I always suggest using extra virgin olive oil over regular olive oil. This olive oil is the purest form, least processed, and retains all the nutrients from the olive itself. In my kitchen, it gives the recipe a fuller flavor and makes this Hot Honey Mustard feel like a true nutrient-rich option.
Is this Hot Honey Mustard Sauce healthy?
To me, healthy depends on perspective because healthy means something different to everyone. This Hot Honey Mustard Sauce contains heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil, which is shown to support brain health and hormone health. The honey adds antioxidants that may reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health, which is why I feel good serving it.
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Yes, you can use regular honey instead of hot honey. I do this often and absolutely just double up on the red pepper flakes to keep that gentle heat.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this is a gluten-free sauce recipe, so it fits easily into many meal plans.
Is this recipe vegan?
This recipe is not vegan because it uses honey that is made by living bees, and many vegans avoid it.
Can I make the sauce spicier?
You can make the sauce spicier by adding more heat. I like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce since it’s easy to find, or you can crank up the heat with a spicier hot sauce.
Do I have to use stoneground mustard?
No, you don’t have to use stoneground mustard. I sometimes prefer its bold flavor, but I’ve tested both it and Dijon mustard, and they work fine.
Do I have to reduce the hot sauce and honey?
You don’t technically need to reduce it. I often just whisk everything together, and it will taste just fine.
