Hot BBQ Recipes & Sizzling Tips to Turn Up Your Summer Parties
Hi Friends!
I’ve tested over 20 wing sauces and these are the ones that actually got people to text me for the recipe.
5 Wing Sauces You’ll Want to Put on Everything!
How to Make Banana Pepper Wing Sauce
Wings feeling a little blah? This banana pepper honey sauce will change that. It’s sweet, spicy, vinegary, and addictive… the kind of sauce you’ll start putting on everything. Think banana pepper rings blitzed with white vinegar, warm honey, and bold spices. The flavor? Punchy, bright, and balanced. Bonus: it takes like 5 minutes. You’re gonna want to double the batch.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup banana pepper rings
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Blend the Base: In a blender or food processor, combine ½ cup banana pepper rings, ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder. Blend until smooth and fully combined.
2. Simmer the Sauce: Pour the blended mixture into a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld.
3. Season to Finish: Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning depending on how tangy, sweet, or spicy you like it.
4. Cool and Serve: Let the sauce cool slightly before tossing with freshly cooked wings or serving as a dipping sauce.
Raspberry Glaze Wing Sauce:
This raspberry sauce made my cousin cry in the best way. Made with fresh raspberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a touch of Dijon mustard, this glaze is perfect for coating wings or using as a dipping sauce. The burst of raspberry flavor combined with the tanginess of balsamic vinegar is divine.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Combine the Ingredients: In a small saucepan, add 1 cup fresh raspberries, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard.
2. Cook the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the raspberries break down and the mixture thickens slightly.
3. Season to Taste: Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Adjust depending on how sweet, tangy, or sharp you like your glaze.
4. Strain for Smoothness: Remove from heat and pour the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to catch the seeds, pressing with a spoon to get every drop.
5. Cool and Serve: Let the glaze cool a bit before tossing it with wings or serving it as a dipping sauce.
Spicy Garlic Ranch Wing Sauce:
You’re not ready for how fast these will disappear at your cookout. This creamy and tangy sauce, made with Greek yogurt, garlic, hot sauce, and a hint of lemon juice, offers a zesty kick balanced by the richness of the yogurt.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Combine the Base: In a medium bowl, add ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp dried dill, and ½ tsp onion powder.
2. Mix It Up: Stir everything together until smooth and creamy.
3. Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like more heat, splash in a little extra hot sauce.
4. Serve or Chill: Use immediately as a tangy, creamy wing sauce, or refrigerate for a couple of hours so the flavors can deepen and meld.
Spicy Peanut Wings (For When You're Feeling Bold)
If you're a fan of unique flavor combinations, the Spicy Peanut Wing Sauce is right up your alley. This sauce features a delicious blend of peanut butter, rice vinegar, honey, Sriracha sauce, and a touch of ginger, creating a mouthwatering combination of spicy, nutty, and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup peanut butter (unsweetened)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Chopped peanuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Combine the Ingredients: In a small saucepan, add ¼ cup peanut butter, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp grated ginger, and ¼ tsp garlic powder.
2. Heat and Stir: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the peanut butter melts and everything is smooth and fully combined.
3. Season It: Stir in salt to taste, adjusting depending on how salty your peanut butter is.
4. Cool and Garnish: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before tossing with wings. Garnish with chopped peanuts if you want extra crunch.
Sour Cream and Onion Dry Rub:
The Dry Rub Everyone Asks Me For. The mixture of dried minced onion, parsley, chives, and savory spices gives your chicken wings an irresistible, herbaceous flavor. It's perfect for those who prefer a drier and less saucy option.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried chives
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Mix the Rub: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tbsp dried minced onion, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 1 tbsp dried chives, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Stir until everything is evenly blended.
2. Coat the Wings: Rub the mixture generously over the surface of your chicken wings, making sure each piece is fully covered.
3. Let It Sit: Marinate the wings with the dry rub for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can infuse into the meat.
4. Cook to Finish: Bake or grill the wings until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Bring them to the table hot and crispy, and watch them disappear.
Refreshing Drinks and Cocktails
I always like to set up a little DIY drink area with different mixers, garnishes, and spirits so everyone can mix their custom drinks. It's a fun and interactive way to keep the party going.
This sangria is dangerously easy to drink. Consider yourself warned:
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as triple sec or Cointreau)
2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
2 tablespoons honey (or more to taste)
1-2 cups sparkling water or club soda
Ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Build the Base: In a large pitcher, pour 1 bottle of red wine, ¼ cup brandy, and ¼ cup orange liqueur.
2. Add the Fruit: Drop in 2 cups mixed berries, plus slices from 1 orange, 1 lemon, and 1 lime.
3. Sweeten It: Drizzle in 2 tbsp honey (or more if you like it sweeter). Stir gently until the honey dissolves.
4. Let It Chill: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better) so the flavors meld together.
5. Finish with Bubbles: Just before serving, top with 1–2 cups sparkling water or club soda and stir lightly.
6. Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour in the sangria, and garnish with extra berries or citrus slices if you’re feeling fancy.
Crave-worthy Desserts
As promised, here's a simple and delicious recipe for a classic berry cobbler:
Classic Berry Cobbler:
Ingredients:
4 cups mixed berries (such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
1 cup granulated golden sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Celtic salt
1 cup organic milk (I love Good Culture)
1/2 cup unsalted grass-fed butter, melted
Organic vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Prep the Berries: In a mixing bowl, toss 4 cups mixed berries with ½ cup sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Let it sit while you make the batter.
3. Make the Batter: In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Gradually add 1 cup milk and ½ cup melted butter, whisking until smooth.
4. Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the berry mixture evenly over the top.
5. Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the cobbler is golden brown and the berries are bubbling.
6. Serve: Let it cool slightly, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
FAQ’s
1. What’s the best wing sauce to serve at a summer BBQ?
If you're trying to impress guests without blowing your grocery budget or making 10 different marinades, go with the Raspberry Glaze Wing Sauce. It’s sweet, tangy, and unexpected. People will ask if you got it from a restaurant. Pair it with grilled wings (not fried) for a smoky twist that balances the fruitiness.
2. Can I prep wing sauces ahead of time for a party?
Yes, and you should. Sauces like Banana Pepper and Raspberry Glaze taste better after sitting in the fridge overnight. Just store them in mason jars or glass containers, and take them out about 30 minutes before party time so they’re not cold when you toss them on hot wings.
3. What’s the easiest wing sauce to make from scratch with pantry staples?
The Spicy Garlic Ranch Wing Sauce is your MVP. You probably already have everything: Greek yogurt, hot sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and some dried herbs. No blender, no simmering, no drama. Stir and slather. Done.
4. Can I make BBQ chicken wings without using a grill?
Absolutely. Oven-baked wings still get that crispy skin if you dry them well and roast at high heat (around 425°F). Toss in your favorite sauce or dry rub (like the Sour Cream and Onion one from this post), and no one will know you didn’t use a grill.
5. What drinks pair best with spicy chicken wings at a summer party?
Think fruity, fizzy, and cold. Sweet red sangria is perfect because it cools down your mouth after a heat-heavy bite. For zero-proof options, try sparkling lemonade with muddled mint or a DIY soda bar with fruit syrups and citrus slices.
6. How do I keep BBQ wings warm without drying them out at a party?
Set your oven to 200°F and place cooked wings in a foil-covered baking dish. Or go full genius and use a slow cooker on the “warm” setting with a splash of broth or extra sauce at the bottom. Keeps them juicy without turning into cardboard.
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Now it’s your turn! Show me how you’re turning up the heat at your BBQ, tag me on IG @Chronically_Chic_ with your saucy creations, and let's turn this summer into a flavor explosion. (P.S. I might just repost your masterpiece!)
