KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (2024)

Published on | Updated on by Melissa

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KFC Honey BBQ Sauce is a delicious tangy barbecue sauce served at KFC restaurants. The BBQ sauce is so easy to make at home with this copycat recipe!

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (1)

Honey BBQ Sauce

I am not a huge fan of meat, but I love homemade sauces. Especially copycat sauces.

This homemade copycat KFC Honey BBQ Sauce is great on chicken, ribs, steak, whatever you like to put BBQ sauce on.

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (2)

In Michigan, it was 60 degrees yesterday and we got about 5″ of snow today and it’s not done snowing yet.

Despite the weather, Bob wants to BBQ all the time. He has his new smokers(smokers plural, because one wasn’t enough…) on the back deck and has been using it all winter.

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (3)

This sauce has a tomato paste base and is thick, tangy, and sweet.

Bob used the sauce on the chicken wings he grilled and I used it in the baked beans that I made. I’ve watched cooking shows make BBQ sauce before, but I must not have paid attention to how simple it is.

It’s really easy to make.

How to make KFC Honey BBQ Sauce

Making barbecue sauce is surprisingly simple and takes everyday ingredients like tomato paste, vinegar, honey, and brown sugar.

You pour them all into a saucepan, simmer until thickened, and boom. BBQ Sauce!

The only ingredient you might not have on hand is Liquid Smoke, but you should be able to find that at any grocery store.

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (4)

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe.Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.

  • Tomato Paste
  • Dark Brown Sugar
  • Apple Cider or White Vinegar
  • Honey
  • Liquid Smoke
  • Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Ground Celery
  • Paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne (optional)
KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (5)

Tools to help you make Copycat KFC Honey BBQ Sauce

  • Heavy Bottom Saucepan – This 1.5 qt saucepan will be so useful in your cupboard. I love that it has a lid!
  • Liquid Smoke – As I mentioned, you should be able to find this at your local grocery store, but if you’re like me and order from Amazon multiple times per week, you can find it online, too.
  • Basting & Pastry Brush – This brush has multiple uses in the kitchen. I prefer this silicone version for ease of cleaning.
KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (6)

What is Liquid Smoke?

Liquid Smoke can be found in the condiment/salad dressing aisle of your grocery store (or on Amazon, of course) and is a liquid that is used in place of cooking with wood smoke that gives a similar smoky flavor.

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (7)

Other delicious dishes to serve at your next BBQ

  • – another copycat recipe, this side dish is a definite crowd pleaser.
  • TGI Friday’s Jack Daniels Sauce – yet another copycat recipe, I put this sauce on everything – chicken, fish, veggies, it’s great on it all.
  • My Favorite Potato Salad – I make this potato salad at all of our barbecues. I think the secret ingredient is including slaw dressing.
  • Pistachio Poke Cake – can’t have a BBQ without dessert! This semi-homemade pistachio cake gets requested at all our gatherings!

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (8)

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KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (9)

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce is a delicious tangy barbecue sauce served at KFC restaurants. The BBQ sauce is so easy to make at home with this copycat recipe!

4.50 from 52 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 2 cups

Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • ½ cup water + 1-2 more Tablespoons (optional)
  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon hickory flavored liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground celery
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. If too thick for your liking, add the additional 1-2 tablespoons of water.

  • Stir until ingredients are well combined and bring to a boil.

  • Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes.

  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 1855mgPotassium: 956mgFiber: 4gSugar: 72gVitamin A: 1441IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Originally published April 15, 2012

KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is KFC honey sauce made of? ›

But, presumably to cut even more costs in a competitive fast-food market, KFC doesn't actually serve real honey. Instead, it's "Honey Sauce," made from the ingredients many parents try to avoid: high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and sugar.

What happened to KFC honey BBQ Wings? ›

In the early 2000s, KFC came out with a line of Honey BBQ flavored wings, an instant hit with fans. Yet, the wings never became a permanent menu item, as they only made brief reappearances over the next two decades. However, there is still a vocal contingent of fans who clamor for the wings' permanent return.

What is honey BBQ sauce made of? ›

Directions. Stir ketchup, honey, vinegar, and molasses together in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth; add liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Does KFC have honey BBQ chicken? ›

The NEW Honey BBQ Chicken Wrap, a soft tortilla wrapped around an Extra Crispy™ Tender with honey BBQ sauce, mayo and crunchy pickles. The NEW Mac & Cheese Chicken Wrap, featuring an Extra Crispy™ Tender topped with KFC's rich and gooey cheddar mac & cheese and finished with a sprinkle of three-cheese blend.

What does KFC honey sauce taste like? ›

NEW Honey Sriracha: A sweet heat sauce using a blend of red chili peppers, garlic and honey. Playing into the demand for sweet heat flavor, this sauce is for you if you have a little bit of sweetness plus a little bit of heat in you.

What exactly is KFC sauce? ›

It's an obvious knock-off inspired by the Worcestershire and mayo-based sauces made famous by the fried chicken tender chains Zaxby's and Raising Cane's. But KFC's Finger Lickin' Good Sauce is a little different with the addition of pickle juice, mustard, and a little more sugar than the other recipes.

Is KFC honey sauce just honey? ›

I glanced at the ingredients. Mother Nature's sole ingredient in honey is, well, honey. But that's not the case with "honey sauce" from KFC. Honey was actually the 4th ingredient, right behind "sugar" and "corn syrup." The main ingredient was "high fructose corn syrup" or HFCS.

What did KFC discontinue? ›

Yahoo Finance reports, the soon-to-be discontinued items include Kentucky Fried Chicken Wings, Popcorn Chicken Combo, Nashville Hot Sauce, Strawberry Lemonade, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Why did KFC stop selling wings? ›

Yahoo Finance reported that KFC's U.S. director Brittany Wilson said removing those items is aimed toward simplifying the menu toward a goal to increase efficiency, make it easier to place an order and focus on innovation.

Why do you put honey in BBQ sauce? ›

It's the perfect balance! Honey barbecue sauce differs from its other sauce friends in that it's less sour and slightly less tangy, while still offering a unique flavor profile. Plus, its sweetness and stickiness makes it as fun as it is tasty!

Does honey barbecue have honey in it? ›

Combining sweet honey with the smoky flavor of our original award-winning sauce, Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce is the perfect way to take your meals beyond the BBQ. Add a drizzle of this flavorful sauce to transform everything from burgers to chicken to french fries and beyond.

How do I thicken honey barbecue sauce? ›

BBQ sauce can be thickened by boiling it to remove excess liquid, or you can add flour, cornstarch, or some fat to thicken it.

Is there a secret menu at KFC? ›

One of the things that make KFC special is its secret menu. The secret menu at KFC is a collection of special dishes that are not listed on their regular menu, but can be ordered upon request.

What is honey gold sauce made of? ›

This honey gold sauce is a must-try recipe that adds a sweet and tangy flavor to your favorite dishes. Combining honey, dijon and yellow mustard, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and spices, this sauce is a versatile dip, marinade or dressing.

What is honey gold wing sauce made of? ›

The Ingredients You'll Want:
IngredientQuantity
Honey (Local Preferred)1/2 Cup
Turmeric3 Heaping Tbsp
Crushed Red Pepper (my notes call for red chili flakes in future experiments)1 Tbsp
Distilled White Vinegar2 Tbsp
5 more rows
Jan 14, 2019

What is the KFC gravy made from? ›

What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.

What is KFC supercharger sauce made of? ›

Episode 3: KFC Supercharged sauce 🔥 Ingredients: 1 Cup Mayo 2 TBS Tomato sauce 1 TBS Worcestershire chief 1 TBS Chipotle in adobo 1 TSP Cayenne pepper 1/2 TSP Salt 1/2 TSP Black pepper 1/2 TSP Sugar 1/2 TSP Garlic power 1/2 TSP Onion powder #burgertok #fyp #viral.

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