Discover the magic of this incredible honey garlic sauce. In just 10 minutes, you'll whip up a sauce that's rich, garlicky, and perfect for dipping or drizzling and pairs perfectly with chicken.
This honey garlic sauce is the key to my Asian chicken skewers. Drizzle it over my easy Thai chicken, or dip these crispy chicken tenders or these vegetarian spring rolls.
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⭐️ Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes
- Versatile: Works with everything from salmon to chicken to veggies
- Customizable: Adapt the ingredients to suit your dietary needs
- Rich & Balanced Flavors: The perfect mix of sweet, salty, and garlicky notes
🧾 Key Ingredients and Why
- Butter: The base that offers a rich, full-bodied flavor.
- Garlic: Adds the bold garlicky punch we all love.
- Honey: For natural sweetness and a bit of stickiness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances out the sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Provides a salty and umami flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds an extra layer of sweetness (optional).
- Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Spice: I've used serrano peppers and chili flakes, but you can skip these.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Honey garlic sauce recipe step-by-step
- Melt the Butter and Sauté Garlic:
- Start by melting butter in a pan. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add liquid ingredients and simmer:
- Stir in honey, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Mix well until combined, noting the mixture may appear cloudy.
- Warm the sauce on medium heat until it begins to simmer, shown by small bubbles at the pan's edges.
- Thicken with cornstarch slurry:
- Add the prepared cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Monitor the sauce as it simmers and thickens, ensuring it coats the back of a spoon. Look for a slight deepening in color.
- Achieve perfect consistency:
- Aim for a smooth, syrup-like consistency that’s shiny and coats a spoon but is still pourable.
- Taste and adjust seasoning:
- Taste the sauce, adjusting with brown sugar or vinegar for a balanced sweet, salty, and garlicky flavor.
- Ensure the garlic turns light golden, avoiding overcooking to prevent bitterness.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vegan: Use vegan spread instead of butter and a vegan-friendly sweetener.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- For a thinner sauce, you can forgo the cornstarch altogether.
- If you find the sauce too sweet, add a bit more vinegar to balance it out.
- Use a microplane for easy grating of fresh ginger for added depth.
- The sauce thickens optimally when it reaches 203°F (95°C).
🍯 Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended as it may alter the sauce's texture.
- Reheat: Reheat over low heat, stirring constantly to retain its smooth consistency.
❓FAQ
White vinegar or rice vinegar can be used as substitutes for apple cider vinegar. In fact, any clear or light vinegar can be used. Just stay away from balsamic vinegar. Its flavor is too strong to be used in this sauce.
If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a dash of red pepper flakes or a small amount of sriracha sauce. Be cautious and add gradually, then taste-test to ensure you're happy with the heat level.
Cornstarch offers several advantages over flour:
Clarity: Creates a clear, glossy sauce.
Thickening Power: You need less cornstarch to thicken sauces, which means more intense flavors.
No Raw Taste: Cornstarch doesn't require extended cooking to remove a raw taste, unlike flour.
Gluten-Free: A suitable option for those avoiding gluten.
Recipes to serve with honey garlic sauce:
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Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ¼ cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill/Oven: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or if using an oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a small space between each cube to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in the honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Dissolve the cornstarch in 60ml of water and stir into the sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cook the Chicken Skewers:
- Grill Method: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the chicken is fully cooked and has a slight char on the edges. Brush the honey garlic sauce over the chicken in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Oven Method: Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, then brush the skewers with the sauce and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes to get a nice glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with extra honey garlic sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Cook's Notes: Marinating Time: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken cubes in half of the honey garlic sauce for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before threading them onto skewers.
- Vegetable Addition: You can add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini between the chicken pieces for a colorful and balanced dish.
- Skewer Tips: If you use wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling or baking to prevent them from burning.
- Sauce Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the sauce by varying the amount of cornstarch and water based on your preference. More cornstarch slurry will thicken it further.
- Serving Suggestion: For a complete meal, serve these skewers over a bed of steamed rice or with a side of Asian-inspired salad.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
Shannon says
Looks good but I wish it was in cups or oz for those of us who never learned that system.
Debs says
Hey Shannon! Just fixed it. It's all written in cups and tablespoons now. 🙂