Get ready to elevate your meat dishes with Uncle John’s Sweet Hot Dipping Sauce—a bold, flavor-packed condiment that's the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy. Crafted with pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and honey, this sauce gets a zesty kick from hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper (optional for heat lovers). Smoked paprika and garlic powder add depth, while a touch of soy sauce rounds out the savory profile. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a silky, versatile dipping sauce that pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted meats, crispy chicken tenders, or even hearty vegetables. Whether served warm or at room temperature, this homemade sweet-and-spicy sauce will quickly become your go-to for adding a flavorful punch to your favorite dishes. Perfect for cookouts, game days, or weeknight dinners—your taste buds are in for a treat!
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and water. Whisk until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) until well incorporated.
Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld together and thicken the sauce slightly.
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat levels by adding a small additional amount of brown sugar or hot sauce, as desired.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before serving. It will thicken as it cools.
Serve the sweet hot dipping sauce warm or at room temperature alongside grilled meats, chicken tenders, or roasted vegetables.
Calories |
760 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.4 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1842 mg | 80% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 195.7 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 174.0 g | ||
| Protein | 2.8 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 113 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 320 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.