You do not have to change the whole Thanksgiving menu to try hot honey. Add it to one appetizer, swap in a sweet-and-spicy side, or finish dessert with a small drizzle.
These seven ideas cover the meal from goat cheese to pumpkin pie. Follow each creator’s full recipe for ingredients and preparation, and choose the dishes that fit your schedule and your guests’ tastes.
1. Hot Honey and Bacon Whipped Goat Cheese
Tangy goat cheese, crisp bacon and a hot honey drizzle make a spread to serve while everyone gathers. How Sweet Eats’ whipped goat cheese recipe finishes the cheese with green onions and black pepper.
Serve it with crackers or toasted baguette slices. Keep extra spread chilled and bring out small portions as needed.
2. Hot Honey Ginger Turkey
Hailee Catalano’s Hot Honey Ginger Turkey brings hot honey, soy sauce, garlic and ginger into the brine. A honey-and-vinegar glaze carries that flavor through to the finish.
Read the full method before starting: it uses a spatchcocked turkey and advance preparation. Keep the turkey refrigerated while brining.
Use a food thermometer and cook turkey to FoodSafety.gov’s 165°F (74°C) minimum for poultry. The linked recipe describes removing the breast from the heat at 160°F before resting; use the government’s 165°F endpoint when cooking your bird.
3. Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes
The Endless Meal’s Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes starts with sweet potato rounds, butter, olive oil and cinnamon. Pecans go onto the tray near the end of roasting; hot honey and thyme finish the dish.
The pecans bring crunch alongside the soft potato. It is an option if you want a different finish from your usual marshmallow-topped casserole.
4. Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
The Crispy Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts from Legally Healthy Blonde use hot honey, oil and garlic powder before roasting at 425°F. Pomegranate seeds are an optional garnish.
Follow the creator’s oven method and watch the honey-coated edges as they brown. Serve the garnish separately if guests want to choose their own toppings.
5. Cornbread with Hot Honey Butter
Try Alex Guarnaschelli’s Cast Iron Skillet Corn Bread on Food Network with a little spicy butter.
Our hot honey butter guide uses regular honey and hot sauce. Keep the mixture refrigerated and soften only the portion you plan to serve.
6. Hot Honey Cranberry Sauce
Savannah Bee Company’s Hot Honey Cranberry Sauce combines cranberries, orange juice, orange zest and hot honey.
Try it with turkey or spoon a little onto cornbread. Follow the creator’s cooling and refrigerator storage directions if you make it ahead.
7. Hot Honey Pumpkin Pie
The Mike’s Hot Honey Pumpkin Pie puts hot honey into the filling, with more for serving. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves give it the familiar pumpkin-pie spice profile.
Start with a light finishing drizzle so guests can add more if they want it.
Plan the meal around your favorites
One bottle can appear in a few different courses, but every dish does not need the same heat level. Keep some familiar favorites on the table.
Keep hot food at 140°F or above and cold perishable food at 40°F or below. FoodSafety.gov advises refrigerating perishable food within two hours, or one hour above 90°F.
Do not give honey to children younger than 12 months, including honey added to food.
For more main-course ideas, see our hot honey protein pairings, with steak, pork, chicken, salmon and tofu recipes.