Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Hot Honey
Sweet, fiery, and endlessly versatile, this hot honey is the kind of condiment that earns a permanent spot on your kitchen counter. Many store-bought hot sauces and flavored condiments sneak in preservatives — including nitrates and nitrites — to extend shelf life, which makes homemade versions like this one such a smart swap. Every ingredient here is clean and straightforward: honey, dried chiles, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt. The gentle simmer followed by a slow steep is what coaxes out that deep, layered heat without scorching the honey or losing any of its natural sweetness. Straining out the solids leaves you with a glossy, beautifully clear finish that looks just as good drizzled over pizza or fried chicken as it tastes. Once it cools and you seal the jar, you've got a preservative-free pantry staple that you made entirely from scratch — and it genuinely couldn't be easier.
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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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