With only two ingredients, this Hot Jalapeno Honey is about to be your new favourite condiment. Sliced jalapenos are boiled in honey to create a hot and spicy, sticky and sweet drizzling sauce. Be fair warned, this stuff is so good it’s addictive!
Last summer, I grew jalapenos for the first time. I put only four jalapeno plants in one of our raised beds, and the yield was so great, I couldn’t keep up with it. It seemed like every day I could go out there and pick another handful of jalapenos. In an attempt to find ways to use them all, I turned to my recipe books, my favourite bloggers, and Google. I found so many versions of this recipe, but the two-ingredient Hot Jalapeno Honey was the best of them!
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A few years ago, I shared my Oven Fried Chicken recipe with you. It’s super crunchy and so delicious! I drizzled it with another version of hot honey that is reminiscent of Nashville’s hot chicken honey drizzle because of the addition of the cayenne pepper. The recipe was well received, but I thought the honey drizzle was the star, to be honest.
Little did I know that I could make another version of hot honey with just honey and sliced jalapenos! In my opinion, the jalapeno version is so much better! It makes me want to go back and make that fried chicken again just so I could use jalapeno honey instead! Anyway, now that I have a jar of this Hot Jalapeno Honey in my fridge, I’m sure I’ll find many more ways to use it up!
HOT HONEY IS ALL THE RAGE!
Hot and spicy flavoured honey is all the rage and has been for a few years now. We can blame the trend on the fast food industry for bringing this delicious condiment to the forefront, but it originated in Brazil! According to a quick internet search, a US brand, Mike’s Hot Honey, claims that the brand’s founder discovered hot honey in 2003 at a pizza joint in Brazil.
As the story goes, the founder brought home the recipe and introduced it to his employer at a Brooklyn-based pizza joint and the rest, as they say, is history. However, it is said that spicy chili honey has been used in southern cooking for much longer than that.
But, as I said before, I’m blaming the fast food industry. Hot and spicy honey can be found at restaurants like Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ruby Tuesday, Chili’s, and more. It’s not a wonder I paired it with my oven-fried chicken a few years ago!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE
The following is a list of the ingredients needed to prepare this recipe. For exact amounts and measurements, refer to the printable recipe card located near the bottom of this post.
- Honey – For best results, use plain honey. Don’t be tempted to use any flavour-infused honey here.
- Jalapeno – Use the freshest jalapenos you can find. Don’t use any with discoloured parts or blemishes.
Lord Byron’s Notes
As you can see, I sliced the jalapenos about a 1/4 inch thick. They will become quite thin and crinkly when cooked in honey. You can dice your jalapenos if you want. In fact, if you want less hot and spicy honey, you can remove the seeds before adding the jalapenos to the honey.
HOW TO MAKE HOT JALAPENO HONEY
Transfer the honey and sliced jalapenos to a saucepan. Over medium heat, stir and bring the mixture to a low boil. Turn off the heat and continue to slowly stir the honey until the bubbling stops. Leave the saucepan on the burner until the honey has completely cooled. This will take about 90 minutes.
Once cooled, transfer it to a clean food-safe jar and keep refrigerated. Hot Jalapeno Honey will last if kept refrigerated for 3-6 months.
10 WAYS TO ENJOY HOT JALAPENO HONEY
- Drizzle it over Chicken, which is probably the most obvious choice! Fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, or baked chicken will do. It’s so good with chicken fingers too!
- Smear it on freshly baked cornbread or these Jalapeno Corn Muffins!
- Top mashed potatoes with it instead of melted butter.
- Serve on a charcuterie board stirred into whipped feta or drizzled over goat cheese.
- Top your summer fresh grilled or smoked corn with it!
- Use it as a salad dressing! Whisk hot honey with some lemon or lime juice!
- Spoon it over desserts like brownies or ice cream!
- Dip pizza crust or mozzarella sticks into it!
- Substitute maple syrup with it, like in the case of these roasted veggies!
- Pair it with breakfast foods like bacon, eggs, french toast, and waffles!
- BONUS: Seafood like tilapia, cod, and salmon pair so well with honey! Drizzle it over these recipes too!
Lord Byron’s Notes
It is completely normal for honey to crystallize when stored in the fridge, especially when ingredients are added to it. This won’t happen immediately, but after a few weeks, you might notice the honey getting a little cloudy or chunky. It’s not spoiled, so don’t toss it. Set the jar of honey onto your kitchen counter to come to room temperature. Boil a kettle of water and pour the water into a deep bowl. Set the jar of honey into the bowl for ten minutes. Remove the jar and stir the honey to bring it back to its runny, gooey consistency once again!
Do You Like This Recipe?
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Hot Jalapeno Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2-3 large jalapenos, cut into 1/4 inch slices
Instructions
- Transfer the honey and sliced jalapenos to a saucepan.
- Over medium heat, stir and bring the mixture to a low boil.
- Turn off the heat and continue to slowly stir the honey until the bubbling stops.
- Leave the saucepan on the burner until the honey has completely cooled. This will take about 90 minutes.
- Once cooled, transfer it to a clean food-safe jar and keep refrigerated. Hot Jalapeno Honey will last if kept refrigerated for 3-6 months.
Notes
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Kel says
I cannot wait to try this! I really want to make the whipped ricotta with the honey jalapeños which I know for sure will be a crowd pleaser. But my husband is allergic to peppers and cannot do spicy. What other veggie or ingredient could be honeyed and would work with the dip recipe?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi hear that! Honestly, I would suggest that you use just plain honey. It will still be really, really good. 🙂
Ginger says
Try garlic too. Super good in honey
Debbie H says
What is the consistency of honey once cooked? Unfortunately this and was pretty runny not sure if its still suppose to be thick.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
It will be runny while it is still warm, but will become thick again once fully cooled. Pop it in the fridge. That will help too.
Dan Wegh says
Why would it need to be refrigerated? Since honey is shelf stable. Just curious… I am definitely going to try with the ricotta.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Dan – by adding the jalapenos, which have moisture content, you’re opening up the otherwise shelf stable honey to bacteria growth. Refrigeration will help to eliminate the risk. If you are going to use the honey very quickly – as in 2-3 days – I would think shelf storage would be suitable.
Pam says
It is until its adulterer with other ingredients especially wet items, then it will mold
MeShell Edwards says
Fresh jalapeños correct ? Not pickled ?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Yes, fresh jalapenos are used here.
Betsy Doucette says
I made this for my adult children as an Easter gift and it is absolutely delicious! I put it in cute serving jars that came with their own wooden spoons and it was a really nice gift! Thank you so much for the recipe!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
That’s such a great idea, Betsy!
Tara says
There is no reason this should have to be refrigerated as honey never spoils and also (like sugar) acts as a natural preservative. As a long time canner, I would feel confident keeping it on the shelf for at least a few months. But, if someone wants a to make a big batch, it could be water bathed and sealed as well.
Lyn H says
Hi, trying this recipe today. I have to get fresh Japaleno because I only have frozen. My husband has crossed stitched since he was 13. Do you have a forum or blog that he can join. Not too often he meets other men that enjoy this hobby.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Lyn – I don’t have a blog for cross stitching. It’s just something I like to do in my spare time, especially when watching television in the evenings. 🙂 I post my finished patterns on my Instagram. Maybe your husband can connect with me there. Cheers!
Chris says
Do you have to keep the peppers in or can you strain them out?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Chris – You can absolutely remove them once they have infused the honey.