Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Hot Honey
Hot honey has become a pantry staple, but most store-bought versions sneak in synthetic dyes or artificial colorings to deepen that amber-red hue. This homemade version skips all of that — every drop of color comes straight from real dried chiles de arbol and red pepper flakes, so what you see in the jar is exactly what you're getting. The process is simple: a gentle simmer to coax out the heat and flavor, a slow steep to dial in the spice level, and a quick strain to leave you with a glossy, clean condiment. Apple cider vinegar adds just enough brightness to balance the sweetness, and a pinch of kosher salt ties everything together beautifully. Drizzle it over pizza, fried chicken, cheese boards, or roasted vegetables and you'll wonder how you ever settled for the bottled stuff.
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Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 3 dried chiles de arbol, stems removed
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey, red pepper flakes, dried chiles de arbol, apple cider vinegar, and kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir to combine.
- 2
Heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey is fluid and just beginning to bubble at the edges, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, watching closely so the honey does not boil or scorch.
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