Ever come across Honey Sriracha sauce and scratched your head thinking, “What’s that?”
Well, grab a seat, cause in this little chat, we’re gonna break down what this sauce is all about, how it’s made, and the tastiest ways to use it.
What Is Honey Sriracha Made Of?
The basics are sriracha, honey, unsalted butter, soy sauce, and lemon juice. But like with any good recipe, there’s room to get creative. Here’s a bit about each:
Sriracha: This is where the heat comes in, and you can control how much fire you want in your sauce. More or less, it’s up to you and your taste buds!
Honey: Sweet and sticky, honey tones down the sriracha’s punch and gives the sauce that nice glossy look. Liquid honey is the easiest to mix in, but really, any honey will do.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a richness that makes the sauce feel like a comforting hug for your taste buds. If you want, you can use salted butter, or even oil if you’re avoiding butter.
Soy Sauce: Brings in that savory umami flavor. If you’re looking to cut down on sodium or need a gluten-free option, low sodium soy sauce or tamari’s got your back.
Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon brightens everything up, giving it a fresh kick. Lime juice or rice vinegar can also jump in if lemon’s not available.
Some like to toss in some garlic, ginger or cornstarch for flavor or texture.
You can even play mad scientist with the ratios, too, making it as sweet or spicy as you like.
Making it is a breeze. Throw everything in a small saucepan, crank up the heat until it boils, then let it simmer until it gets slightly thickened, about 5 minutes of simmering should do the trick.
Once it’s done, you can use it right away or store it for later. If you toss it in the fridge, it’ll keep for about a week. If you freeze it, you’ve got a tasty time capsule that’ll last up to 2 months. Just remember to reheat it if it gets too thick, and you’ll be ready to add some zing to your chicken, seafood, or veggies.
What Does Honey Sriracha Taste Like?
Imagine the taste of something sweet, tangy and spicy all coming together on your taste buds. That’s Honey Sriracha sauce for you.
The sweetness? That comes from the honey, no surprise there. But it doesn’t stop with just honey; other ingredients like rice vinegar might sneak in to add some more sweetness along with a bit of acidity.
Now, for that tangy kick, that’s where the lime juice, lemon juice or even vinegar comes into play.
And then the heat? Well of course that’s the Sriracha sauce doing its magic. That’s where the spicy profile is coming from, and it really rounds out the flavor.
But wait, there’s more!
Want to make this already complex flavor profile even more intricate? Toss in some soy sauce, garlic, or other seasonings. These additions take the sauce to a whole new level, making it versatile such that it can amp up the flavor of so many dishes.
Is Honey Sriracha Spicy?
Well, that’s a bit like asking how loud a song is. It can be a mellow tune or a roaring rock anthem, depending on how you play it.
The base of sriracha is what gives this sauce its heat. Huy Fong Sriracha, for example, dances around 1000 to 2500 SHU on the Scoville scale. That’s a pleasant kick but not enough to blow your head off.
Now, when you bring honey into the mix, that’s where things get interesting. Honey’s natural sweetness kind of tames the fire of the sriracha. It brings the heat down a notch.
Most honey sriracha recipes have that balance of sugar-based contents, like honey, that dial down the spiciness to a more gentle range of 750 to 1500 SHU. Some are more adventurous with equal parts of soy sauce and vinegar, while others take a chill approach with more honey than sriracha.
But hey, it’s your kitchen, your rules. Want it spicier? Throw in more sriracha or sprinkle in some red chili flakes. Feeling more mellow? Reduce the sriracha, or add lemon juice or butter to cool things down.
In the end, spicy is in the taste buds of the beholder. One person’s “Yowza, that’s hot!” might be another person’s “Meh, needs more kick.” So, you do you and enjoy that honey sriracha just the way you like it. Pass the chicken wings, please!
What Is Honey Sriracha Good On?
There are so many ways to use honey sriracha at home. Let’s take a fun stroll through the landscape and see where this sauce shines the brightest.
- Chicken Wings: Who can resist a well-sauced wing? Honey sriracha has this magic way of clinging to chicken wings, making them a sweet and spicy delight. Whether you’re tossing them in the sauce or dipping them, it’s like a flavor party in your mouth.
- Roasted Vegetables: You might think veggies are dull, but drizzle some honey sriracha on them, and you’ve got a new food romance. Potatoes, brussels sprouts, carrots, or cauliflower get a new lease on life with this sauce. Crispy, tender, and now zesty? Yes, please!
- Meatballs: This isn’t just a sauce for meatballs; it’s like a glaze that makes them the star of the dish. Serve them with rice, noodles, or bread, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s sticky, savory, and oh-so-satisfying.
- Salad Dressing: Salad? Exciting? You bet! Whisk some honey sriracha with oil and vinegar, or use it straight up, and your salad becomes a zesty adventure. Cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and peanuts suddenly become the ingredients of a delicious exploration. Who knew greens could be this good?
- Sandwich Spread: Now, this is where the fun really begins. Your regular ham and cheese sandwich can become a culinary masterpiece with some honey sriracha spread. Toast, bagels, wraps, or burgers – everything tastes better with a little sweet heat.
Feeling adventurous? You can even experiment with seafood dishes, like glazing some shrimp or salmon with honey sriracha. Or give your breakfast eggs a kick by drizzling the sauce on top. The possibilities are endless.
What Is The Nutrition Of Honey Sriracha?
First and foremost, honey sriracha isn’t exactly that nutritional powerhouse.
In terms of calories, it’s generally on the low side, which is nice if you’re keeping an eye on those numbers. But this can vary depending on the recipe you’re following, so it’s worth checking if you’re being super diligent about your intake.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit more interesting. Honey sriracha does offer a few vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin K. It’s not gonna replace your daily multivitamin, but it’s good to know there’s a little nutritional goodness going on in there.
But (and there’s always a ‘but,’ isn’t there?), it’s also packing sugar and sodium. These are like the sneaky players that can trip you up if you’re not careful. Too much sugar can mess with your energy levels, and too much sodium might have you retaining water like a sponge.
