Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce: Ingredients, Nutrition & Where to Buy

Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce combines sweet honey with hickory smoke flavoring for a thick, tangy barbecue sauce. Wing sauce portions (1.5 oz) typically cost $0.99-$1.00 at Popeyes restaurants and contain 160 calories. The sauce is not currently available in grocery stores as of 2025—only Blackened Ranch, Sweet Heat, and Mardi Gras Mustard have launched in retail 18 oz bottles.

What’s in Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce?

This sweet and smoky sauce features a tomato-based foundation enhanced with natural sweeteners and traditional BBQ spices.

Key ingredients:

• Tomato paste (base)
• Honey
• Molasses
• Vinegar
• Hickory smoke flavoring
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Spices and salt

The thick, glossy consistency makes it ideal for coating wings or using as a dipping sauce. Unlike thin vinegar-based BBQ sauces, this version clings well to chicken and fries.

Honey BBQ Sauce Pricing

Pricing varies by location and serving size:

At Popeyes restaurants:

• Wing sauce (1.5 oz): $0.99-$1.00
• Dipping cup (1 oz): $0.50-$0.75
• Often included free with combo meals

Retail availability: As of 2025, Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce is not available in grocery stores. Only three Popeyes sauces launched in retail: Blackened Ranch, Sweet Heat (March 2025), and Mardi Gras Mustard (May 2025).

Check with your local Popeyes for exact pricing and availability.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Per 1 oz (28g) dipping cup:

Macronutrient breakdown: 100% carbohydrates, 0% fat, 0% protein

Important note: With 36g of sugar per serving (equivalent to 9 teaspoons), this is one of the higher-sugar sauces at Popeyes.

Allergen Information

Contains:

• Soy (in stabilizers)

May contain traces of:

• Gluten (depending on preparation facility)

Free from:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Nuts

The sauce is fat-free and cholesterol-free, but the high sugar and sodium content makes it less suitable for low-carb, diabetic, or low-sodium diets.

Flavor Profile

Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce delivers a distinctly sweet taste with moderate smoky depth:

Taste characteristics:

• Sweetness: Dominant honey and molasses flavors (8/10)
• Smokiness: Moderate hickory notes (5/10)
• Tanginess: Subtle vinegar bite (4/10)
• Spice level: Mild (1/10)

The sauce leans significantly sweeter than traditional BBQ sauces like Bold BBQ. It has a thicker, more syrup-like consistency compared to vinegar-forward Carolina styles.

Best for those who prefer sweet over spicy. Not recommended for heat seekers.

Best Menu Pairings

This sauce works particularly well with these Popeyes items:

Chicken

• Wings: The classic pairing—sweet sauce balances crispy, salty wings
• Tenders: Thick sauce adheres well to breading
• Nuggets: Perfect for dipping bite-sized pieces
• Chicken Sandwich: Drizzle inside for sweet-savory contrast

Seafood

• Popcorn Shrimp: Sweet BBQ complements mild seafood
• Fish Sandwich: Alternative to tartar sauce

Sides

• Cajun Fries: Sweet-spicy combination
• Regular Fries: Classic BBQ fries upgrade
• Biscuits: Use as a sweet glaze

What to Avoid

Skip pairing with already-sweet items (sweet tea, desserts) to prevent sugar overload.

Honey BBQ vs. Other Popeyes Sauces

Key differences:

• Honey BBQ is the sweetest sauce Popeyes offers
• Contains more sugar than any other Popeyes sauce
• Zero fat unlike ranch-based options
• Mild heat—less spicy than Buffalo, Sweet Heat, or Mardi Gras Mustard
• Thicker consistency than vinegar-based sauces

Is Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce Sold in Stores?

No, Honey BBQ Sauce is not currently available in grocery stores.

In March 2025, Popeyes launched its first retail sauces at major retailers (Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Food Lion, Amazon), but Honey BBQ was not included in this initial rollout.

Sauces available in stores (18 oz bottles):

• Blackened Ranch (launched March 15, 2025)
• Sweet Heat (launched March 15, 2025)
• Mardi Gras Mustard (launched May 2025)

How to get Honey BBQ Sauce:

• Available only at Popeyes restaurants
• Request extra dipping cups when ordering
• Purchase wing sauce portions ($0.99) separately

Popeyes has not announced plans to release Honey BBQ Sauce in retail stores. Availability may expand in the future based on demand.

DIY Honey BBQ Sauce Recipe

Make a similar sauce at home with these ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (hickory)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat
2. Whisk until smooth and well blended
3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally
4. Remove from heat and let cool
5. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks

Adjustments:

• More honey for extra sweetness
• Add cayenne pepper for heat
• Use dark molasses for deeper flavor

This copycat version captures the sweet-smoky profile of Popeyes Honey BBQ Sauce at a fraction of the cost.

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