Beyond Biscuits: 5 Unexpected Ways to Use Hot Honey

You may already drizzle hot honey on buttered biscuits, fried chicken and waffles, or pizza. Here are five of our favorites: grilled meats, roasted vegetables, cocktails, salad dressings and charcuterie boards.

What Is Hot Honey?

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers. You can buy it from makers such as Savannah Bee Co. or Mike's Hot Honey, or make your own. The honey brings sweetness; the peppers bring heat.

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For the bottled options mentioned here, these links lead to single 12 oz squeeze bottles. Mike’s manufacturer page lists a two-bottle pack; the Amazon option below is one bottle.

• Mike’s Hot Honey Original, 12 oz squeeze bottle (1 bottle) on Amazon (paid link)
• Savannah Bee Company Hot Honey, 12 oz squeeze bottle (1 bottle) on Amazon (paid link)

Hot Honey on the Grill

Brush hot honey onto chicken or pork for a sticky glaze. The honey’s sugars caramelize over heat, and its thickness helps the spices cling to the meat.

Here’s the basic approach:

1. Season it as you normally would and put it on a hot grill.
2. Follow the glaze timing in the recipe for your cut of meat. If it calls for a halfway glaze, brush the meat with hot honey halfway through the cook time, then flip and brush the other side.
3. Let the meat finish cooking, let it rest, and serve with an extra drizzle of hot honey if you’d like.

You can use hot honey with pork, chicken, beef or fish. It also works with vegetables.

For specific grilling recipes, try:

• Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
• Juicy Grilled Pork Chops with Hot Honey
• Hot Honey Salmon Bites

We’ve also got a post dedicated to using hot honey on the grill.

Sweet and Spicy Veggies

Hot honey gives roasted vegetables a sweet, spicy coating. Try it with carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes or bell peppers.

Here’s how to roast or grill them. The times below are starting points; the size and type of vegetable affect cooking time. Follow a complete recipe for the vegetables you choose.

1. Chop them into even pieces for consistent cooking. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Drizzle hot honey over the vegetables and toss to coat. Adjust the amount to your spice preference.
3. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until tender and caramelized, stirring halfway through. To grill, use a grill basket or skewers over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until charred and cooked through.

Serve them as a side dish, or add them to grain bowls or salads. If you’d like a specific recipe, start with one of these:

• Hot Honey Roasted Carrots
• Hot Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Hot Honey Veggie Skewers

Fiery Cocktails

Hot honey adds sweetness and chili heat to a drink. Vodka, tequila and bourbon are all options for the base spirit.

1. Start with the spirit you’d like to use.
2. Combine the spirit and hot honey in a shaker, adjusting the honey to your preferred sweetness and heat.
3. Try citrus juice or herbs. Lime juice pairs well with tequila and hot honey. Keep soda or tonic water out of the shaker; see the editorial note below.
4. Shake the mixture with ice until chilled, then strain into a glass of fresh ice. Garnish with fruit or herbs.

Editorial cocktail note, October 15, 2026: Add soda or tonic in the glass after shaking and straining the other ingredients. The International Bartenders Association’s Gin Fizz method adds soda after shaking; Absolut’s guide to built cocktails adds carbonated mixers directly to the glass. This clarification is separate from the author’s original instructions.

For specific recipes, see our post on Hot Honey Cocktails.

Dressing Up Salads

A little hot honey can balance the acidity of a vinaigrette and add heat to a creamy dressing.

1. Use olive oil with balsamic or apple cider vinegar. For a creamy dressing, you may also use buttermilk or mayo.
2. Start with one tablespoon of hot honey, then adjust to taste.
3. Try Dijon mustard, minced garlic, or fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro.
4. Combine the ingredients in a bowl or a jar with a lid. Whisk or shake until the honey is fully incorporated.
5. Taste the dressing before serving. Add more honey for sweetness, more vinegar for acidity, or a pinch of salt.

If you’d rather follow a recipe, see our post on incorporating hot honey into salad dressings.

Use the dressing on mixed greens or grain-based salads with roasted vegetables, nuts and cheese. Many dressings can also serve as a marinade. Chicken is our favorite.

Editorial handling note, October 15, 2026: If you use dressing to marinate chicken, keep it refrigerated. Set aside a clean portion for the salad before adding raw meat, and keep the two portions separate. See the FDA’s marinating guidance.

Hot Honey Charcuterie

Hot honey gives rich cheeses and savory cured meats a sweet, spicy contrast. Put it in a small bowl so everyone can add their own drizzle.

1. Choose a wooden, slate or marble board.
2. Try prosciutto and salami with creamy Brie and nutty gouda. Add fresh or dried fruit, nuts, pickles and condiments, including hot honey.
3. Place the larger cheeses and meats first, then fill the gaps with fruit and nuts. Use small bowls for pickles and condiments.
4. Layer a thin slice of meat with cheese and a drizzle of hot honey.

Editorial serving note, October 15, 2026: Keep perishable meats and cheeses refrigerated until serving. Discard perishables left at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour above 90°F, unless you are keeping them at 40°F or colder. The FDA’s buffet guide explains temperature control and replacing small serving portions.

For more ideas, read our Ultimate Guide to Creating the Perfect Charcuterie Board with Hot Honey Drizzles.

Selecting the Right Hot Honey For the Job

The honey and peppers you choose will affect both sweetness and heat. Whether you’re making your own or buying a bottle, here are some combinations to try:

• Grilled meats: Try a stronger heat, such as chipotle or habanero, in a marinade or glaze. Chipotle also adds a smoky flavor.
• Roasted vegetables: Look for a honey with caramel-like sweetness. Smoked peppers can complement carrots or Brussels sprouts.
• Cocktails: Try a floral honey with mild to medium heat. Jalapeños or Fresno peppers are options with tequila or bourbon.
• Salad dressings: A lighter honey and milder peppers, such as banana peppers, let the greens remain part of the flavor.
• Charcuterie boards: Try a balance of sweetness and heat, using a mix of sweet and spicy peppers to pair with cheeses and cured meats.

These are starting points. Taste as you go and choose the sweetness and heat you enjoy.

Conclusion

Next time you reach for hot honey, try it in a dressing, a cocktail or a glaze. Or put a bowl beside your cheese board and let everyone drizzle their own.