We’re Drooling Over These Sweet & Savory Honey Recipes

As far as sweeteners go, honey is one of our favorites. Compared to white sugar, it’s less processed, has a lower glycemic index, and is rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It also contains polyphenols with numerous health benefits.

Honey is also a really versatile player, adding a depth of floral sweetness to everything from honey-sweetened strawberry jam to 5-minute coleslaw. In other words,  if you’re just stirring it into your tea or swirling it into yogurt, you haven’t fully explored honey’s full potential. Here are 10 sweet and savory honey recipes that we’re drooling over.

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1. Honey-Glazed Pepper Chicken

This recipe can be super-simple or just relatively simple depending on your appetite for making your own garlic-fermented honey in advance. We’re not saying you shouldn’t do that, but if you didn’t plan ahead, you can use regular old honey (or spicy honey) and this will still be delicious.

Try the recipe from Bon Appétit.

2. Best Coleslaw Recipe

This super-fresh coleslaw leans on coleslaw mix so that it comes together in just 5 minutes. It gets just a bit of sweetness from honey and if you want some heat, add a squeeze of sriracha to the mix as well.

Try the recipe from Joy Food Sunshine.

3. Sunshine Salad Dressing

You might call this honey-mustard dressing, but that feels like something you’d dip your nuggets into. Instead, this sunshine salad dressing is creamy beyond belief. Drizzle it ontop of fresh greens, any cruciferous veggie, or even this this roasted and raw carrot salad.

Try the recipe from Cookie and Kate.

4. Honey Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Do you have a container of miso that you bought for some recipe or other (soup, maybe) and now you’re wondering what else to do with it? This is the answer: Combine with honey, soy sauce, olive oil, scallions, and some other goodies, and toss it over roasted sweet potatoes. Or, honestly anything.

Try the recipe from Killing Thyme.

5. Honey Sweetened Strawberry Vanilla Jam

Canning writer Marisa McClellan has figured how out how to do jams and jellies with honey, so you don’t have to. This recipe for honey-sweetened strawberry jam is a great way to use up your berries that might be getting a little mushy.

Try the recipe from Food in Jars.

6. Vanilla Dairy Free Ice Cream

This easy, no-churn recipe has just 3 ingredients: coconut milk, vanilla, and honey. Okay, the recipe calls for agave nectar, but we recommend swapping it out for honey.

Try the recipe from Delicious Made Easy.

7. Honey Garlic Ribs

Honey garlic is a classic combo and it works beautifully in Paleo-friendly ribs — no grill required. All you need is an oven and this easy recipe for saucy, fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Try the recipe from Every Last Bite.

8. Honey-Almond Snack Cake

Whether you’re actively reducing your sugar intake or just looking for healthier treats, you’ll want to add this snack cake from baker Joanne Chang to your rotation.

Try the recipe from Clean Plates.

9. Homemade Honey Barbecue Sauce

Perfect for burgers, chicken wings, pizza, and more, this barbeque sauce is sweet and tangy and one of the best honey recipes. Just add your ketchup, brown sugar, honey, cider vinegar, Worcestershire with spices into a pot and let it boil. You’ll have delicious homemade barbeque sauce in only 20 minutes.

Try the recipe from Homemade In The Kitchen.

10. Whipped Ricotta with Herbs and Honey

Whipped ricotta sounds fancy, but it’s not. Fresh herbs and honey, along with creamy ricotta, are all delicious when spread across your favorite hearty multigrain bread.  We can see this as breakfast, a snack, or maybe even dessert.

Try the recipe from Fork in the Kitchen.

11. Gorgonzola and Honey Bruschetta

Bruschetta is already the perfect appetizer for get-togethers and parties. Spruce it up even more with tangy gorgonzola cheese and sweet honey on top of a toasted baguette. Better yet — make this appetizer in only 10 minutes.

Try the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

12. Honey Cheesecake

The next time you’re ready to bake something, try one of the best honey recipes with this creamy cheesecake. The sour cream and honey create the best texture and flavor full of tang and sweetness. Add tartness with fresh raspberries or cherries.

Try the recipe from Stephanie’s Sweet Treats.

Read More on Clean Plates

How to Make Hot Honey at Home

Which is Better for Me? Agave or Honey

Why You Should Make Honey Part Of Your Skincare Routine