If you’ve ever been to Memphis and ordered wings, chances are you’ve come across honey gold sauce. This sauce is a local staple — especially at wing joints, where it’s tossed with crispy fried chicken wings or used as a dip on the side. It’s tangy, sweet, and a little spicy, and has that perfect sticky texture that clings to everything in the best way.

Honey gold is sometimes confused with Carolina gold, but there are a couple of differences. Carolina gold is a mustard-based barbecue sauce from South Carolina, made with vinegar and mustard, and traditionally served with pulled pork. Honey gold is also within honey mustard territory, but it’s thicker, sweeter, and spicier, and more of a wing sauce (although it can definitely pull double duty!).

Drizzle it over grilled chicken, brush it on racks of ribs, or spread it on ham and cheese sliders. However you serve the sauce, it’ll have people coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love It

• Packed with flavor. It’s a sweet and tangy honey mustard with a spicy kick from hot sauce.
• Incredibly versatile. Use it as a sauce for wings and barbecue, a dip for chicken tenders and onion rings, or as a spread for sandwiches and burgers.

Key Ingredients in Honey Gold Sauce

• Yellow mustard: Gives the sauce its classic tang and golden color.
• Honey: Adds sweetness that pairs perfectly with mustard.
• Brown sugar and molasses: Brings a deeper sweetness with just a hint of smokiness.
• Apple cider vinegar: This sharp, fruity vinegar adds some acidity.
• Hot sauce: I like Frank’s RedHot or Crystal for their spicy, tangy kick, but feel free to use your favorite type of hot sauce.
• Spices: Paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder round out the savory flavors.

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