Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

A little bit sweet, a little bit tangy, and a whole lot delicious, jazz up your grilled meats and veggies with this amazing Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce. Making barbecue sauce from scratch is so super easy, and it’s so much better than store-bought!


Honey mustard barbecue sauce in a mason jar on a wooden surface

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Two Bite Tested


This honey mustard BBQ sauce is popular because:
  • It balances sweet and tangy flavors in a simple homemade sauce.
  • It works as a finishing sauce and glaze on grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.
  • It comes together quickly with a short simmer on the stove.


This recipe includes:
  • Detailed ingredient notes
  • Answers to frequently asked questions
  • Serving and storage suggestions
  • A recipe card with nutritional information


A Note From My Kitchen


You don’t have to spend long in the kitchen to make a killer BBQ sauce, and this Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce is one of our favorites! After making this recipe many times over the years, this is the version I consistently come back to. I love how it’s got the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and the honey in it caramelizes when cooking, creating a delicious glaze.

With just a handful of ingredients, you probably have everything you need to make this amazing barbecue sauce! Slather it on meats, seafood, veggies, and anything that goes onto the grill!

People tend to get really passionate about BBQ sauce and can be loyal to their preferred brands. But this homemade BBQ sauce recipe is good, different, easy, and inexpensive. Give it a try the next time you’re firing up the grill! Add this traditional BBQ Sauce Recipe and this cherry BBQ sauce and try a trio of sauces!

If you try this recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!

Happy cooking,

Honey mustard barbecue sauce in a mason jar on a wooden surface

Ingredient Notes


  • Honey: Use a mild, pourable honey. Any standard honey works here.
  • Yellow mustard: Standard yellow mustard keeps the flavor classic and balanced.
  • Horseradish mustard: Horseradish mustard is a unique condiment made from blending spicy horseradish and mustard that adds the perfect amount of kick to this homemade barbeque sauce recipe.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar keeps the sauce tangy. If needed, white wine vinegar is a reasonable substitute.


Collage showing ingredients and honey mustard barbecue sauce being whisked and simmered

Frequently Asked Questions


How To Make Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

This is a super-simple recipe. You basically add all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk it until it is combined! A quick simmer on the stove to thicken it up (if desired) and you're good to go. It’s that easy! See below for a detailed ingredients list and instructions.

What Is Horseradish Mustard?

Horseradish mustard is a unique condiment made from blending spicy horseradish and mustard and tempering it with a bit of sugar. It’s sweet, spicy, and delightful, and it also adds the perfect amount of kick to this homemade barbeque sauce recipe.

Is This Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe Spicy?

It's not a mild BBQ sauce, but it's also not super spicy. I'd say it has medium heat. If you like it sweeter, cut down on the horseradish mustard, and if you like it spicier, see my suggestions below!

How To Keep BBQ Sauce From Burning

Any BBQ sauce with a sweet element, like honey, molasses, or brown sugar, can burn. But, careful grilling will result in a delicious caramelized glaze! Here are my tips for making the best grilled eats with this mustard and honey BBQ sauce.
  • Keep the flareups down. After you’ve brushed on the sauce, move the meat/veg/seafood to a cooler spot on the BBQ where the heat can gently caramelize the sauce. Flareups can cause your sauce to burn.
  • Put it on evenly. Try to brush the sauce on in an even and not too thick layer. You can always add another coat after the first has glazed.
  • Add the sauce at the end. Sauce your meats during the last few minutes of the cooking time.
  • If cooking in batches, keep a cooler zone on the grill available for glazing.


Honey mustard barbecue sauce being poured into a mason jar

Two Bite Take


"You don’t have to spend long in the kitchen to make a killer BBQ sauce, and this Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce is one of our favorites!"

- Becky Tarala

Honey mustard barbecue sauce in a mason jar with a striped kitchen towel

Serving Suggestions


What to Serve With Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

Use this no-cook BBQ sauce as a finishing sauce on all your favorite meats. It is so good on chicken and pork (it's amazing on ribs and pulled pork), but it’s also tasty on beef, fish, and shrimp. I also love it on grilled vegetables.

Just grill your meat/veggies/seafood as normal and brush on a layer of this sauce near the end of the cooking time. Flip it over and let it cook a few minutes while you glaze the other side of the meat/veg, then flip it over for a final minute.

Serve more sauce at the table for dipping. It’s that good! A typical portion is about 2 tablespoons. I also think it's a great idea to have a variety of sauces so folks have options! This Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce is a great choice for your second option. Serve your BBQ with a variety of sides like this Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe, Cowboy Beans, and Mom's Traditional Potato Salad.

Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce Variations

These variations keep the same basic method while changing the flavor direction with ingredient swaps.
  • Swap yellow mustard for Dijon for a sharper mustard profile.
  • Use grainy mustard for more texture and visible mustard seeds.
  • Replace apple cider vinegar with Champagne vinegar for a lighter tang.
  • Use balsamic vinegar for a deeper, sweeter finish.
  • Up the spice and stir in a pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder for more heat.


Honey mustard barbecue sauce in a mason jar on a wooden surface

Got Leftovers?


What To Do With Leftover Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

This sauce makes about 1 1/2 cups, so you may have some leftover sauce. There’s plenty you can do with leftover BBQ sauce. Here are some of my favorites:
  • It’s a great dipping sauce for nuggets or chicken strips.
  • Mix it with a bit of mayo to make an awesome dressing for salads.
  • Use it as a honey mustard sauce on your favorite sandwiches.
  • It’s a great burger sauce.
  • Dip your French fries into it as a ketchup alternative!
  • And so much more!


How To Store Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

Store this barbecue sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Serve cold right out of the fridge or warm it up.


Overhead view of honey mustard barbecue sauce in a mason jar

Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
A little bit sweet, a little bit tangy, and a whole lot delicious, jazz up your grilled meats and veggies with this amazing Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce.

Pin
INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup horseradish mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar



INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place all ingredients into a medium-size saucepan and whisk to combine.
  2. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened.


NOTES

Author: Becky Tarala

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure.



Behind the Bites


Hi, I’m Becky, the creator of The Two Bite Club, where good food starts with two bites.
I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes here for years,
sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites.

These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club here!

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