Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe
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This honey garlic sauce recipe is sweet, savory, garlicky, and ready in about 10 minutes. It’s the kind of quick homemade sauce you can brush over crispy pork, drizzle onto chicken tenders, spoon over rice bowls, or use as a dipping sauce when dinner needs a little extra something. I love it with recipes like my honey garlic crispy pork tenderloin and cornflake chicken tenders because it gives everything that sticky, glossy, sweet-and-savory finish.
Why You’ll Love Honey Garlic Sauce
- Quick and Easy: This honey garlic sauce comes together in just about 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Sweet and Savory Balance: The blend of honey, soy sauce, and garlic hits the perfect sweet-savory note that everyone loves.
- Versatile: You can use this sauce on just about anything—grilled meats, veggies, stir-fry, or even as a dip.
- Elevates Any Dish: A simple drizzle of this sauce adds a bold, delicious flavor to any meal without a ton of effort.
- Even Better the Next Day: If you have time to let it sit overnight, the flavors deepen, making it even more irresistible!
What Is Honey Garlic Sauce Made Of?
Honey garlic sauce is usually made with honey, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, water, and cornstarch. The honey and brown sugar give it sweetness, the soy sauce adds salty depth, the vinegar balances the sauce, and the cornstarch helps it thicken into a glossy glaze.
Ingredients Needed To Make Honey Garlic Sauce
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Soy sauce
- Water
- Honey
- Light brown sugar
- Rice vinegar
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Cornstarch
- Minced garlic
How To Make Honey Garlic Sauce
- Mix the water and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a small pot, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, salt, onion powder, garlic, and the cornstarch mixture.
- Heat the pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 5-8 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool.
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the sauce for 24 hours before using (optional).
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can! In fact, the flavor develops even more if you let the sauce sit in the fridge for 24 hours before using it. It’s great for prepping in advance.
How should I store the sauce?
Store the honey garlic sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to one week, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
Can I freeze this sauce?
Yes, you can freeze it! Just pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container or bag and store it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
How do I reheat the sauce?
To reheat the sauce, simply warm it up in a small pot over low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s smooth and warm. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out.
Ways to Use Honey Garlic Sauce
What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Is this sauce spicy?
No, this sauce isn’t spicy at all. It has a sweet and savory flavor from the honey and garlic. If you want to add heat, feel free to stir in some chili flakes or sriracha!
How do you thicken honey garlic sauce?
Cornstarch thickens honey garlic sauce quickly. Mix the cornstarch with water first to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce while it cooks. This keeps the sauce smooth and helps prevent clumps.
Honey Garlic Sauce
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 2 ½ tbsp rice vinegar
- Pinch of salt
- ⅛ tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
Instructions
Prepare Cornstarch Mixture
- In a small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
Combine Ingredients
- In a small pot, add soy sauce, water-cornstarch mixture, honey, light brown sugar, rice vinegar, salt, onion powder, and minced garlic.
Cook Sauce
- Place the pot over medium/low heat.
- Cook the mixture for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
Cool and Store
- Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat.
- Let it cool slightly before transferring it to a container.
Optional Resting Time
- For best flavor, let the sauce sit for 24 hours in the refrigerator before using.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, let it simmer for an extra 1–2 minutes after adding the cornstarch slurry.
- Whisk the cornstarch with water before adding it so the sauce stays smooth and glossy.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce if you want more control over the saltiness.
- The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently before using.
Nutrition
This honey garlic sauce is one of those versatile staples that you’ll want to keep on hand. Whether you’re drizzling it over chicken or dipping your favorite snacks, it’s packed with flavor and super easy to make. Once you’ve tried it, I’m sure you’ll find all kinds of ways to use it!
