Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

If you love Popeyes sweet heat sauce but don't like eating at fast food restaurants all the time just to get a taste of it, you are going to love this copycat Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe.

With just 7 ingredients and less than 10 minutes of your time, you can make this deliciously easy copycat Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe that pairs well with just about anything.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

You will love this sauce because it's super easy and quick to make. Plus, it's also so customizable and versatile that you can use it to give a flavor boost to just about any meal.

Using only 7 ingredients, you can have this sauce ready to go in less than 10 minutes making it an excellent way to spice up just about any meal with minimal effort.

It's so versatile that you can make it your own very easily by experimenting with different hot sauces, seasonings, sugars, and more.

Also, there are so many different ways you can use this delicious copycat Popeyes sweet heat sauce. Use it for dipping, spreading, marinating, or adding a dollop to any sauce or soup for a flavor boost.

Ingredients

Hot Sauce:

Lousianna hot sauce is the popular choice to use in this recipe. However, you can also impact the flavor profile in your sauce by using different sauces. Tabasco sauce, for instance, is a classic choice for adding heat and tang, while Frank's RedHot provides a nice balance between heat and sweetness. Additionally, Sriracha is a great choice as well because it has a garlic undertone that adds depth to your sauce

Sugar:

The original recipe uses white granulated sugar, but you can heavily impact the flavor of your sauce by experimenting with different sugars. For some added smokey-rich goodness, use muscovado or dark brown sugars that are heavy in molasses. Additionally, coconut sugar will add a slightly nutty and rich element to your sauce.

Seasonings:

The only seasonings this recipe calls for are pepper, and cumin. However if you want to kick this recipe up a notch, there is nothing saying you can't take liberties with the seasonings you choose to use in your own sweet heat sauce. Cayenne, paprika, or crushed red pepper flakes will all increase the heat factor in your sauce. Some garlic powder, coriander, or onion powder will give your sauce a more robust flavor.

How to Make Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

Step One: 

In a small bowl, add hot sauce, honey, and sugar. Stir to combine.

Step Two: 

Add the mixture to a small pot and bring to a boil on medium-high heat.

Step Three: 

Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar and honey have dissolved. Remove from heat.

Step Four:

Add butter and Worcestershire. Stir until butter has melted and combined.

Step Five: 

Put the pot back on the heat, stir in cumin and pepper, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to blossom. Remove from heat.

Step Six: 

Serve while hot and enjoy!

Tips

• The key to a great sweet heat sauce is balancing the sweetness and spiciness. Start by adding a small amount of hot sauce or chili paste to your base and gradually increase it to your preferred heat level.
• If you plan on using your Popeyes sweet heat sauce as a marinade, add ingredients like apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lime juice. These acidic elements will help to tenderize and deliver more flavorful results.
• To achieve a thicker consistency, add ingredients such as tomato paste, cornstarch, or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). This will help the sauce adhere better to your desired food items.

What to Serve With Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

There are so many ways you can serve this Popeyes sweet heat sauce, you will never run out of ways to use it.

Try using it as a wing sauce, on your crispy turkey burger, or for dipping your avocado fries, egg rolls, or coconut shrimp.

You can use it as a marinade for haddock, halibut, or mahi mahi when making fish tacos. Marinate your chicken for Pad Thai or Mongolian chicken or some tofu to give your tofu curry some zing.

FAQs

How long can leftover Popeyes sweet heat sauce be stored?

This Popeyes sweet heat sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days in an airtight container, although it tastes its best within the first two days

Is this Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe gluten-free? Vegan?

This Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe is gluten-free. Due to the honey in the recipe, it is not vegan. To make it vegan-friendly, simply substitute the honey for more sugar, molasses, maple syrup, or date syrup

Can I increase the spice levels with this recipe?

You can absolutely adjust the spice levels either way to suit your personal tastes. If you want to add more spice to the recipe, simply up the amount of cayenne, paprika, or red chili flakes you are adding to your sauce. You can also decrease the spice level if you are particularly sensitive to spice. Just add a small pinch at a time and keep tasting your sauce until it reaches your desired spice level.

More Saucy Recipes

If you love the simplicity of this versatile and customizable Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe and how easy it is to use with virtually any meal, take a look at these other deliciously saucy recipes.

Garlic Sriracha

Instant Pot Arrabbiata Sauce

Ranchero Sauce

Instant Pot Tobacco Sauce

Tzatzki Sauce