Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
In short: A glossy sauce of honey, garlic, tamari and rice vinegar, simmered until sticky. Toss it with wings, chicken, meatballs, tofu or roasted vegetables. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 90 kcal
Honey garlic sauce is a sweet, salty and garlicky glaze that clings to almost anything. It takes about ten minutes in one small pan: garlic is softened in oil, then honey, tamari, vinegar and water simmer until the sauce coats a spoon. Toss it with baked chicken wings, meatballs, crispy tofu, salmon or roasted carrots, or serve it as a dipping sauce. Keep the heat moderate, because honey scorches quickly.
Instructions
- Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small cup until smooth.
- Warm the oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the honey, tamari, water, vinegar and chili flakes. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce reduces slightly and the bubbles get bigger and slower.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture and pour it in while whisking. Simmer for 1 minute more, until the sauce is glossy and coats the back of a spoon.
- Take the pan off the heat. The sauce thickens as it cools. Toss it with hot cooked chicken, tofu or vegetables, or serve as a dip.
Tips
- To glaze wings or chicken, toss them in the warm sauce for the last 5 minutes of baking and return to the oven so the coating turns sticky. Keep the oven at 200°C (400°F) or below, because honey burns.
- Use maple syrup in place of honey for a vegan sauce, and add a squeeze of lime for a brighter flavor.
Questions and answers
How long does honey garlic sauce keep?
In a sealed jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 2 weeks. It sets firm when cold, so warm it gently before using.
Why did my honey garlic sauce turn bitter?
The garlic probably browned or the honey scorched. Keep the heat at medium-low, stir often and add the liquids as soon as the garlic smells fragrant.
How do I make honey garlic sauce thicker or thinner?
Simmer it a few minutes longer to thicken it, or add water a tablespoon at a time to thin it. Remember that it thickens as it cools.
How long does it take to make Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce?
About 90 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 90 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
