Ways To Use Local Mesquite Honey In Your Cooking

Mesquite honey, as the name suggests, is honey made primarily with the nectar from mesquite trees. While it is sweet like other honey, it is darker, more earthy, and more aromatic than the more typical clover honey. As such, you'll want to use it a little differently. People often enjoy using mesquite honey as an ingredient in their cooking and food prep. Here are some suggestions for ways to cook with it.

Make Barbecue Sauce

Mesquite wood is often used in barbecuing, so it makes sense that mesquite honey would also be a good barbecue ingredient. Its earthy aromas are a pleasant addition to most barbecue sauces. To make a barbecue sauce with mesquite honey, start by combining the following ingredients;

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup mesquite honey
  • 1/4 cup canned tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon onion, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • a pinch of cayenne pepper
  • a pinch of kosher salt

Heat the mixture in a saucepan over low heat, just until warm and bubbly. Let cool to room temperature, and then coat chicken, beef, pork, and other favorites with it.

Make a Chicken Marinade

Marinating chicken with a mixture containing mesquite honey is another great way to embrace that roasty, toasty flavor. You can make a simple marinade with these ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons mesquite honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup tart cherry juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Whisk the ingredients together until the honey is dissolved. Pour the mixture over your chicken. (You can marinate up to 2 pounds of chicken in this amount of marinade.) Let the chicken sit in the marinade, in the refrigerator, for 8-24 hours before grilling or roasting. Enjoy!

Bake Muffins

Muffins made with mesquite honey have a nice balance of sweetness and complexity. A good basic muffin recipe is as follows:

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/4 cup mesquite honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in a second bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix just until combined. Pour the mixture into 12 prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20 - 22 minutes at 375 degrees F. Let cool, and enjoy.

When you use mesquite honey in these ways, you really get to enjoy it to its fullest. To order locally sourced Mesquite honey, speak with a supplier. 


Share