Lemon Honey Sauce with Garlic Recipe
This Lemon Honey Sauce with Garlic Recipe combines the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice with sweet honey, bold garlic, spicy chilies, and fragrant cilantro for a deliciously balanced condiment. Featured on License to Grill, host Rob Rainford creates a quick, no-cook sauce that’s perfect for grilled chicken, seafood, vegetables, and flavorful barbecue dishes.
The Inspiration
This lemon honey with garlic recipe draws inspiration from Asian-style dipping sauces and marinades, where ingredients such as fish sauce, fresh herbs, chilies, and citrus are frequently used to create bold and refreshing flavor combinations.
On License to Grill, Rainford demonstrates how simple homemade sauces can elevate grilled foods without requiring elaborate cooking techniques. This recipe highlights the value of combining fresh ingredients to create an accompaniment that complements the smoky, savory flavors of outdoor grilling.
Whether used as a dipping sauce, a finishing condiment, or a flavorful accompaniment to a barbecue platter, this lemon honey garlic sauce delivers a distinctive combination of fresh ingredients and bold flavor.
Ingredients
- 15 cloves of garlic, minced
- 3 hot chilies, seeded and finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, minced (60ml)
- juice of 2 lemons
- 4 tablespoons of honey (60ml)
- 1 teaspoon of Fish Sauce (5ml)
Method
- Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisk until fully incorporated. Adjust seasoning as desired and serve immediately.
- Sauce will keep for 8 hours covered in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
For a classic barbecue pairing, serve the sauce alongside freshly grilled chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken skewers. The honey provides a pleasant sweetness that complements the savory flavor of grilled poultry, while the lemon juice adds brightness and the chilies introduce a lively kick. Spoon a small amount over the cooked chicken just before serving or offer it in a separate dipping bowl.
If you’re preparing grilled fish, consider serving this sauce with salmon, halibut, cod, or other firm fish fillets. The lemon adds a bright citrus character that enhances the delicate flavor of the seafood, while the garlic and fish sauce provide savory depth.
For a summer barbecue platter, pair the sauce with grilled pork tenderloin, pork chops, or skewered meats. Its sweet and spicy character complements the smoky exterior of grilled proteins, creating a flavorful alternative to traditional barbecue sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe proves that a delicious homemade condiment can be prepared using just a handful of fresh ingredients and a few minutes of preparation.
Featured on License to Grill, Rob Rainford’s recipe combines the bold flavor of garlic with the refreshing acidity of lemon, natural sweetness of honey, and lively heat of fresh chilies.
Find more recipes from License to Grill here!
Follow us on Instagram and YouTube for behind-the-scene footage and exclusive content!