Ingredients
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- Red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
-
Create a Slurry
Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth, with no lumps. Set aside.
-
Sauté Garlic
Heat sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
-
Combine Wet Ingredients
Add honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to the pan. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
-
Thicken the Sauce
Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. The sauce will thicken within 1–2 minutes.
-
Season & Cool
Add red pepper flakes to taste. Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes before using. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
TrueComb Tip: Use a mild honey like clover so the garlic and soy flavors shine through. Buckwheat or manuka will fight with the savory notes and muddy the taste.
Tips for Success
- Fresh garlic makes a huge difference—avoid pre-minced garlic from a jar if possible.
- Don't skip the rice vinegar; it balances the sweetness and adds brightness.
- Make extra and store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a little water or additional soy sauce.
- For a less sweet version, reduce honey to ¼ cup and increase soy sauce slightly.
Honey Flavor Pairings
🌟 Best Pairings
- Clover: Neutral base lets savory notes lead
- Wildflower: Adds subtle complexity and depth
- Acacia: Clean sweetness balances umami
❌ Avoid These
- Buckwheat: Overpowers garlic with malty flavor
- Chestnut: Bitter notes clash with soy sauce
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Top Honeys for This Recipe
Nature Nate's Raw & Unfiltered
Widely available raw honey with clean taste and smooth flavor profile for savory sauces.
TrueComb Score: 8.5
Local Hive Raw Midwest
Regional raw honey supporting local beekeepers with a balanced, versatile flavor.
TrueComb Score: 8.3
Bee Harmony American Raw Clover
American clover honey with mild flavor and excellent texture for sauce-making.
TrueComb Score: 8.0