The word “honey” conjures up images of sweet, sticky things found on trees and flowers.
But what if we told you there was something even sweeter than honey?
What if we said it could be used as an ingredient in recipes just like regular honey?
That would be Mike\u2019s Hot Honey.
This delicious spread comes from Michigan native, Michael Poulin.
He has been creating his signature product since 2009 and today he sells it through his website mikehothoney.com.
In addition to being sold online, Mike’s hot honey is also available at grocery stores across the country.
You can buy small bottles or larger jars which hold about one ounce each.
It tastes best when stored away from heat sources such as microwaves or refrigerators.
What Is In Mike’s Hot Honey Recipe?
You probably know that honey is made by bees collecting nectar.
The nectar is then converted into honey after the bees have spent several days storing it in their digestive system.
To get the most out of this process, they need access to lots of space.
That’s why beekeepers keep their hives far apart from where people live.
Bees also need water to drink during their time indoors.
They will gather pollen and other substances to feed their young.
All together these factors mean that honey isn’t exactly easy to find.
Even though Mike’s hot honey contains natural ingredients, it still takes quite a lot of work to produce.
Here are the main ingredients:
Honey – This is where most of the effort comes in.
The amount required depends on how much you want to put in a jar.
One ounce (28g) per container should suffice.
If you plan on using more, simply increase the amount of containers needed.
Red pepper flakes – These help give off a spicy kick.
It’s recommended that you start with two tablespoons but feel free to adjust according to taste.
Ground cinnamon – Cinnamon adds another layer of flavor.
Start with half-teaspoon amounts until you get a good feel for how much you prefer.
Lemon juice – Lemon gives the final touch to Mike’s hot honey.
Add a few drops once the mixture cools down.
If you don’t want to use lemon, try adding orange peels instead.
They contain vitamin C and antioxidants that can fight cancer cells.
How Do You Make Mike’s Hot Honey?
Mike’s hot honey recipe calls for three ingredients: honey, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.
The first two items are pretty self-explanatory but cayenne may not be familiar to many people.
Cayenne pepper is actually a type of chile pepper.
While most people think of this spicy pepper as simply adding a kick to their food, its true purpose lies much deeper.
Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin and other compounds that help regulate blood flow throughout the body.
These properties have long been known to reduce pain when applied topically and they’re now showing promise in treating chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, and more.
So how does all this relate back to Mike’s hot honey?
Well, the combination of these substances makes Mike’s hot honey extremely potent (to put it lightly) and it will leave your mouth feeling tingly after eating it.
To begin the process of making Mike’s hot honey, gather together the following:
Next, combine them in a bowl using either your hands or an electric mixer.
Mix until everything is combined well.
Then pour into a jar and store away from heat sources.
What Is The History Of Mike’s Hot Honey Recipe?
Michael Poulin originally came up with this recipe while working as the chef at a restaurant called The Millhouse Grill in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
After working there for six years, he decided to quit and start his own business selling the tasty spread.
Today, he runs his company out of his home and continues to develop new products for sale.
Mike’s hot honey recipe includes four ingredients.
These include raw honey, jalapeño pepper flakes, garlic powder, and ground cayenne pepper.
All these items have very distinct flavors and they combine harmoniously together to give this spicy condiment its taste.
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a blender
To get started, first blend all the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
Then pour the mixture into a container and let sit overnight before using.
Step 2: Use Mike’s hot honey recipe
Once you place the jar back in a cool area (preferably not a refrigerator) you will see how quickly the mixture hardens.
Once hardened, you can easily scoop out a tablespoon full of the mix and then place it in whatever food you want.
You can eat it straight off the spoon but it tastes better after being allowed to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Why Is Mike’s Hot Honey So Popular?
Mike\u2019s hot honey recipe is all natural and made without preservatives.
The ingredients include only real food items that have nothing artificial added to them.
There are no chemicals involved and therefore there are no harmful side effects.
Because this homemade concoction contains no additives, you will not experience any negative reactions after using Mike\u2019s hot honey recipe.
Another benefit of using this recipe is that you don’t need to worry about finding out whether or not the item you’re buying is organic because Mike’s hot honey recipe is 100% pure.
When people want to know where their products came from, they can always check out the label on the back of the jar.
With Mike\u2019s hot honey recipe, customers get exactly what they expect.
You won’t find anything too exotic in Mike’s hot honey recipe either.
It includes common ingredients such as sugar, spices, and vinegar.
These basic components combine together to create a mouth-watering taste sensation.
If you’ve ever had a bottle of honey but didn’t think much of it until you tried adding some hot sauce into it, then you’ll love how well this combination works.
The secret behind Mike’s hot honey recipe is the amount of peppers used.
Since these peppers contain capsaicin oil, they release pungent fumes when heated.
This is why many people prefer spicy foods over mild ones.
By combining hot peppers with other natural flavors, you can recreate the same effect that chili does by itself.
To put it simply, the more peppers you add, the hotter your dish becomes.
How Did Mike Come Up With His Hot Honey Recipe?
Mike grew up in Detroit where he lived next door to his grandmother who made homemade jams and jellies.
His mother taught him how to cook and she always encouraged him to experiment with different flavors.
She gave him the idea to combine her favorite jam with honey.
The result was Mike\u2019s Hot Honey.
Since then, Mike has continued to tweak his recipe and now offers three varieties of hot honey: Original, Spicy, and Fire Roasted.
He started selling the hot honey online after attending a food show in 2010.
Although it wasn’t well-known back then, Mike knew his product had potential and set out to promote it more widely.
Today, people all over the world enjoy eating this tasty treat.
What Are The Benefits Of Mike’s Hot Honey?
Mike’s hot honey is not only tasty but it gives food a nice kick without adding too much sugar.
The secret behind its spicy goodness lies in its ingredients.
It contains both honey and hot pepper flakes.
When combined they give off a bold taste profile that is perfect for most foods.
One thing worth noting is that this type of honey does have a strong smell.
Some people may find themselves avoiding the jar after smelling it first.
However, once opened, the aroma dissipates quickly.
If you need to keep the jar sealed, put it into the freezer until needed.
And don’t worry, it won’t affect how long the honey will last.
1. It adds texture to soups, sauces, and stews
If you want your meals to stand out then Mike’s hot honey should definitely be part of your arsenal.
It provides a smooth consistency and helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Plus, using it makes your food more flavorful because it enhances flavors naturally.
It can also help reduce saltiness in many types of foods.
Because it doesn’t contain sodium, it works well with low-sodium products.
So, by sprinkling it onto salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes, you can cut back on unnecessary salt while still getting the same taste experience.
2. It boosts energy levels
Another benefit of Mike’s hot honey is that it increases metabolism.
As a result, you will feel less tired throughout the day.
Not only that but it can boost endurance during workouts since it contains antioxidants that fight inflammation.
3. It improves digestion
When you eat certain foods, enzymes in your gut work overtime to break them down before nutrients reach your bloodstream.
With Mike’s hot honey, these enzymes become active faster.
This means your body gets all the nutrients it needs quicker.
For example, those who take their daily dose of Mike’s hot honey report feeling full sooner compared to other diets.
Therefore, eating it regularly keeps you satisfied longer.
4. It promotes weight loss
Many dieters swear by using Mike’s hot honey to stay motivated.
They say it helps curb cravings and reduces hunger pangs.
Because of this, they tend to consume fewer calories per meal.
Since it stimulates the appetite, you might end up consuming fewer snacks and drinks throughout the day.
Overall, this leads to weight loss over time.
How Can I Use Mike’s Hot Honey?
Mike\u2019s hot honey is versatile enough to work well in most meals.
The thick consistency lends itself nicely to sauces, dips and spreads while its strong taste works well with spicy foods.
Some people find that they need less honey when using Mike\u2019s hot honey because it doesn\u2019t have the same sugar content as other honeys.
However, it does pack quite a punch! If you want to keep your food healthy and still get plenty of flavor out of your meal, try adding a few tablespoons of this stuff into soups, salads, or pasta dishes.
Try putting it into meatloaf, stews, casseroles, sandwiches, and more.
You can find Mike\u2019s hot honey in many supermarkets around the country.
Just look for the label that says “Hot Honey” or “Honey With Fire.” Make sure to read the ingredients list carefully before buying.
Many brands contain corn syrup instead of honey.
Also, check the expiration date to see how long the bottle should last.
A good rule of thumb is 1 year after the date stamped on the container.
Recipe Ideas Using Mike’s Hot Honey
Baking Bread – Spread melted butter over sliced bread and top with slices of fresh tomato and chopped green onion.
Drizzle with Mike’s Hot Honey and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake until golden brown.
Breakfast Scramble – Mix scrambled eggs with cheese, ham, bacon, and onions.
Top with Mike’s hot honey and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes until egg yolks become firm.
Serve warm.
Salsa Verde Dip – Combine diced tomatoes, shredded cabbage, minced jalapeño peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil in a medium bowl.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon mixture onto tortilla chips.
Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and serve with Mike’s hot honey.
Gnocchi Bolognese – Sauté carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and mushrooms with olive oil in large pan.
Stir in flour and cook for 5-10 minutes.
Slowly stir in milk and simmer until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Whisk in ricotta cheese, parmesan, nutmeg and seasonings.
Fold gnocchi into sauce and mix well.
Place in greased baking dish and cover with remaining sauce.
Garnish with parsley and serve with Mike’s hot honey.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Spread buttery toast with Mike’s hot honey.
Layer with Swiss cheese, American cheese, and grilled chicken strips.
Broil until cheese melts and everything turns golden brown.
Cut into triangles and serve immediately.
Lentils & Rice Soup – Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large pot.
Cook lentils according to package directions.
Drain and set aside.
Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in another pot.
Saute shallots, red bell pepper, and garlic cloves in oil until softened.
Pour in broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add rice, lentils, and spices and continue cooking until liquid is absorbed and vegetables are tender.
Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with pomegranate seeds (optional).
Serve with Mike’s hot honey.
What Are Some Of The Challenges With Making Mike’s Hot Honey?
Mike says that making this tasty spread isn’t easy.
To start, he needs to find the right peppers to go into the mix.
The peppers must possess a certain amount of piquancy and they need to be fresh.
They should have a firm texture but not be too hard.
Next, he needs to gather all of the ingredients together.
These include a variety of spices, herbs, sugars, and oils.
Some of these items will help thicken the mixture while others will give the hot honey its distinctive taste.
Mike tells us that he likes to keep everything clean, so he always takes care to wash his hands before touching anything else.
Where can I get Mike’s hot honey?
You can purchase Mike’s hot honey online through his website.
But if you want to try it out first-hand, head down to your local grocer.
A few companies sell Mike’s hot honey products including Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods Market, and Target.
What Are Some Tips For Making Mike’s Hot Honey?
Mike’s hot honey contains two main ingredients: honey and red pepper flakes.
These two items work together to create a spicy-sweet taste that will bring out the flavors in almost anything you cook.
One thing to keep in mind though – this isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill hot sauce!
While many hot sauces contain vinegar and other spices, Mike’s hot honey contains only natural ingredients.
The result is a very mild yet flavorful hot honey that won’t overwhelm your palate.
If you have never tried Mike’s hot honey before, you may want to start by trying the simple but tasty recipe below.
If you enjoy the simplicity of this recipe then try adding more spice next time using additional dried peppers or chili powder.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon raw sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons red pepper flakes
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together except honey and red pepper flakes.
Add honey and stir well until smooth.
Stir in red pepper flakes and let sit for 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop.
How Can I Improve My Mike’s Hot Honey Recipe?
While Mike’s hot honey doesn’t have much sugar (it only contains 1% sugar), it does contain a lot of other ingredients including vinegar, mustard seed, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili pepper flakes.
These spices give this honey its unique taste.
The secret to how well they work together is still under wraps but people who try it seem to agree that it works really well!
If you want to tweak the flavor of your homemade Mike’s hot honey, here are a few options:
Add more chili pepper flakes – Chili pepper flakes can provide a nice kick to whatever you’re cooking.
If you don’t want too spicy, start by adding a teaspoon to see how much spice you need.
Use different types of hot peppers – Some people prefer milder versions of hot peppers while others love their spicier counterparts.
Experimenting with different varieties will help you find out which ones suit your palate.
Try using different vinegars – Vinegar adds depth to many dishes and helps them stick together better.
There are lots of different kinds of vinegars that can be added to Mike’s hot honey depending on personal preference.
Try balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, etc.
You can also combine flavors – For example, you might like the idea of mixing in some brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, fresh herbs, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.
Don’t forget to taste test along the way!
Don’t like the flavor?
Add more of these ingredients – When you first mix all of the ingredients together, you may notice that it isn’t tasting very good.
One solution is to add another tablespoon of mustard seeds, paprika, or chili pepper flakes.
Another option is to add more vinegar.
Just remember, not too much vinegar because then you won’t get the desired result.
Be careful not to over-season – While most recipes call for salt, you should definitely avoid adding too much.
Saltiness tends to overwhelm everything else and takes away from the overall effect of Mike’s hot honey.
Equipment
- 1 Jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 3-4 dried chili peppers
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Honey and chopped dried chile peppers should be heated in a small pan over low heat. Don’t boil; just bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- After five minutes of simmering, turn off the heat and add the apple cider vinegar. Pour strained liquid into a mason jar, a can, or another airtight container.
- Store for up to three months in a cool, dry location.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.