Citric Acid Free Classic Hot Honey
Sweet heat has never been this straightforward, and the result is a glossy, fiery drizzle that makes everything from pizza to fried chicken taste like it came from a fancy restaurant. Most commercial hot honey products sneak in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer, which makes store-bought versions a minefield if you're trying to avoid it — this homemade version keeps things clean with just honey, dried chiles, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt. The gentle low-and-slow warming process coaxes all that smoky, fruity heat out of the chiles de arbol without scorching the honey or dulling its natural sweetness. Steeping the solids after cooking is where the magic really happens — the longer you wait, the deeper and more complex the heat becomes, so you can dial it exactly to your liking. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve leaves you with a beautifully clear, silky condiment that looks as good as it tastes. Pour it into a jar, let it cool, and you've got a pantry staple that's ready to elevate just about anything on your table.
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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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