31 Healthy Recipes With Honey

Photo: Jennifer Causey

"Different varieties lend themselves to different uses," says Test Kitchen Pro and Resident Cooking Light Beekepper Adam Hickman. Clover and orange blossom are the workhorse honeys. More abundant (and therefore less expensive), they have a straightforward flavor that's great for cooking, baking, or sweetening iced tea. Harder-to-come-by varietals, like tupelo and sage, "have nuanced flavors you don't want to cook out or mask." These recipes celebrate the pure, sweet liquid gold and make brilliant use of honey's delicious, unique character.

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Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

Did you know? Each bee makes about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its life. Honey is the sweet nectar of a bee's lifetime work. These healthy honey recipes feature several varietals of honey. Consult your local beekeeper for something unique and different if you want to break away from classic clover or orange blossom honey.

Because the wings get a good bit of char, the type of honey you use isn't as important here (it'll lose its subtler nuances). Though we remove the skin from the wings, you'd never know it—they pick up an irresistible crispy crunch as the glaze cooks under the broiler. Give yourself a better grip when skinning each wing by holding it with a paper towel in one hand and pulling the skin with another paper towel in the other hand.

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Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

If you have raw, unheated honey, reach for it first here. Wildflower, which means the bees foraged on everything they could, is also a good choice.

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Kale Salad with All-Day Everyday Dressing

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Kale Salad with All-Day Everyday Dressing

Like wine, honey has distinct characteristics unique to the region, season, and type of nectar it was made from. Varietals range from runny, delicate, almost white acacia to spreadable thick, smoky, dark-as-molasses buckwheat. Use the best honey you have for this easy, versatile dressing. The sweet and tangy taste of the dressing pairs well with the bitter bite of kale and crunch of almonds. It can be drizzled over any salad, but works particularly well with grilled chicken or steak.

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Honey-Brined Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Honey-Brined Grilled Shrimp

This is a dish that impresses, one you want your guests to see and taste. We use honey three ways here: We add it to the brine so the meat absorbs some sweetness, we toss it with the brined shrimp so its sugars allow the shrimp to develop a good char without overcooking, and we drizzle it over the finished dish for depth.

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Bee-Utiful Summer Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Bee-Utiful Summer Salad

Not all produce needs honeybees for pollination, but their sheer numbers and tenacity make bees powerhouse pollinators. If a plant is not wind-pollinated (like corn), you can probably thank honeybees for the produce. All of the ingredients in this recipe (except salt) depend on bees for pollination. Fresh citrus juice, sweet honey, and tangy mustard combine for a finger-licking-good dressing to pour atop melons and cucumber.

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Chile-Infused Honey

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Chile-Infused Honey

Honey will never expire. The acid content is so high that bacteria can't survive and multiply. The high acidity comes from the super-concentrated sugar solution, with only 1/5 of the original water content. But if you leave your honey unsealed, it will absorb water from the air and create a less acidic environment where bacteria can thrive. Bottom line: If you want to keep any honey good forever, keep a lid on it.

You'll love the intense flavor of this infused honey. Use it in salad dressings or marinades; drizzle over cheese, toast, or ice cream; or package in a cute jar, give as a gift, and make someone very happy.

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Bee's Knees Cocktail

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Bee's Knees Cocktail

If you're not familiar with the joy of chewing on a piece of honeycomb, you're in for a real treat with the garnish on this cocktail. Look for comb at specialty and farmers' markets; some honey has it right in the jar. Use your best honey here; the more floral and vibrant it is the better.

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Lemon-Honey Chicken Thighs

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Lemon-Honey Chicken Thighs

These sticky saucy chicken thighs are perfectly paired with any of our grilled zucchini sides. You can also use chicken breasts; just cook them a little longer, about 6 minutes per side.

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Warmed Berries with Honey and Fresh Cheese

Photo: Erin Kunkel

View Recipe: Warmed Berries with Honey and Fresh Cheese

You may adapt this dessert to your taste by adjusting the blend of berries, the amount of honey, or even the amount of cheese. The idea is luxury in the amount of berries. Fromage blanc is wonderfully subtle; you can sub Greek yogurt, which is tangier.

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Honey-Lemon Spritz

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Honey-Lemon Spritz

Slap the verbena leaves lightly between your palms before you garnish to release essential oils. For ease, make the simple syrup a day ahead and mix just before serving. Opt for a floral honey here, like blueberry or orange blossom. The unique qualities of the honey you use will really shine is this refreshing cocktail.

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Honey Mustard Glazed Carrots

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Honey Mustard Glazed Carrots

When carrots steam or roast, their natural sweetness really shines. The honey-butter combo we use in this recipe elevates simple sautéed carrots to a whole new flavor level. Try this dressing on any root vegetables you might have, including radishes and turnips. You may be surprised how something so easy can turn almost any vegetables into a delicious side.

Partially cover the pan as the carrots steam so they retain some texture. They will continue to soften as the glaze reduces in the pan.

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Honey-Ginger Glazed Salmon

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Honey-Ginger Glazed Salmon

The sweet-sticky glaze makes this salmon dinner a winner with the kids. The honey-ginger glazes packs a ton of flavor without a long list of ingredients or extra time in the kitchen. With such little preparation, these salmon filets are the perfect weeknight meal that you can easily add into your cooking rotation. Complete the meal with a side of roasted or steamed carrots and a hearty spoonful of brown rice for a well-balanced meal.

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Honey-Glazed Almonds

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Honey-Glazed Almonds

Spiced nuts are usually baked; this stovetop version speeds up the process. The smoky-spicy snack will store well in an airtight container for several days.

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Orange, Sesame, and Honey Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Orange, Sesame, and Honey Cookies

Finish off an Asian-inspired dinner with a tray of these delicious, easy-to-make cookies.

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Honey and Lemon Dip

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Honey and Lemon Dip

The tangy flavor of lemon and Greek yogurt combined with sweet honey make a perfect dip to serve with strawberries.

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Honey-Orange Pork Tenderloin

Photo: Brian Woodcock

View Recipe: Honey-Orange Pork Tenderloin

If you’re not in the mood for fish, opt for simply roasted pork tenderloin. Pigs symbolize progress, perhaps because they nose their way forward as they sniff the ground for something good. They also might remind you of a certain money saving device for the spare change you’re likely to collect over the coming year. Intensely floral, faintly bitter orange marmalade is the base for a beautiful sticky glaze that’s brushed on the tenderloin before roasting.

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Honey-Ginger Chicken Bites

Photo: Lee Harrelson

View Recipe: Honey-Ginger Chicken Bites

Ditch the greasy fried chicken fingers in favor of these sweet glazed chicken bites. They're the perfect size for popping into your mouth or serving on skewers. This dish is prepared with boneless, skinless chicken thighs but feel free to use chicken breasts if you have them on hand.

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Orange-Honey Rolls

Photo: Brian Woodcock

View Recipe: Orange-Honey Rolls

If you have leftover pizza or bread dough, put it to delicious use in this simple dinner roll recipe. These honey-brushed rolls are ready in just 11 minutes, so you can let the dough come to room temp while you prepare the rest of your meal. Then, just before dinner time, pop them in for a sticky-sweet treat with your meal. They're best served warm, but they will last a few days in an airtight container.

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Honey-Lime Chicken Kebabs with Mango Slices

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Honey-Lime Chicken Kebabs with Mango Slices

Quick-broiled chicken kebabs with mango, honey, lime, and a pinch of chili powder makes an ideal tropical-inspired meal when you aren’t up for outdoor grilling. Pair with your favorite whole grain or a simple green salad to complete the meal.

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Honey-Roasted Butternut Squash

Photo: Chris Court

View Recipe: Honey-Roasted Butternut Squash

This side is simple and fabulous. The cooking is mostly hands-off, and the prep is easy. Serve the tender butternut squash in large pieces to catch every last bit of the honey-butter drizzle.

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Whole-Grain Honey Bread

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Whole-Grain Honey Bread

Montina grass flour, made from Indian rice grass that is very high in protein, fiber, and iron, flecks this hearty whole-grain gluten-free bread. Honey replaces white sugar as the sweetener, good news for the taste as well as the nutritional information. It lends a fruitiness and delicate floral sweetness to this tasty all-purpose loaf of bread. Make this loaf to impress guests and switch things up from your normal store-bought whole-grain loaf.

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Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce

View Recipe: Honey-Chipotle Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

This recipe yields slow-cooked barbecue flavor in less than an hour. The sandwiches need to be broiled at the last minute, but the rest of the menu can be made ahead of time.

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Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies

These cute little cookies will be a hit at your Easter celebration. Wrap them up in a sweet little box as a gift or arrange them on a platter for a light dessert treat.

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Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine

View Recipe: Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce

Beer gives tremendous flavor to this chicken. Opt for an inexpensive, full-flavored domestic beer, like Blue Moon wheat ale.

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Honey Taffy

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Honey Taffy

Both kids and adults will enjoy stretching the honey into taffy, and the longer you stretch the honey, the easier and more pliable the taffy becomes. To avoid a sticky situation, make sure any surface you set the taffy on is thinly coated with cooking spray. You can also wear latex gloves (coated with canola oil) to make the pulling a little easier.

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Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Tomato Salad

Photo: Stephen Devries

View Recipe: Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Tomato Salad

This meal halves easily, but consider roasting all the tomatoes; use leftovers in omelets or sandwiches. The corn cakes can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in an airtight container. Reheat them in the microwave.

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Grilled Peaches with Honey Cream

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Grilled Peaches with Honey Cream

Grilling brings out the sweetness in peaches, and the caramelization created by the fruit on the searing hot grates adds a bittersweet bite you'll never forget. You can use apricots or nectarines instead of peaches if you have those. Garnish with mint, if desired.

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Cucumber, Honey, and Thyme Margarita Slush

Photo: Hector Sanchez

View Recipe: Cucumber, Honey, and Thyme Margarita Slush

This simple margarita comes together in no time flat. The cucumber infuses the slush with a cool flavor, which balances the sweet notes from honey at the end of each sip.

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Honey-Lime Drumsticks with Snow Peas and Brown Rice

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Honey-Lime Drumsticks with Snow Peas and Brown Rice

The vibrant glaze—which pulls bold flavors from soy sauce, honey, lime juice, fresh ginger, and garlic—would be equally delicious on chicken breasts or pork chops.

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Citrus Salad with Balsamic Honey and Pistachios

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Citrus Salad with Balsamic Honey and Pistachios

Blood oranges are a little bit tart; navels are sweeter—try a mix of the two for a colorful, tasty combo. The acidic, citrus flavor is complemented by the sweetness of the honey, creating a balanced, healthy salad that is simple to prepare. Crunchy texture, added by pistachios and jicama, makes it a satisfying side.

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Orange, Honey, and Thyme Biscuits

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Orange, Honey, and Thyme Biscuits

Clove honey, fresh thyme, and grated orange rind give this breakfast dish its zing. Bake biscuits up to a day ahead, and keep in a sealed zip-top plastic bag.

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Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

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Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

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Kale Salad with All-Day Everyday Dressing

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Honey-Brined Grilled Shrimp

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Bee-Utiful Summer Salad

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Chile-Infused Honey

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Bee's Knees Cocktail

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Lemon-Honey Chicken Thighs

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Warmed Berries with Honey and Fresh Cheese

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Honey-Lemon Spritz

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Honey Mustard Glazed Carrots

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Honey-Ginger Glazed Salmon

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Honey-Glazed Almonds

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Orange, Sesame, and Honey Cookies

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Honey and Lemon Dip

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Honey-Orange Pork Tenderloin

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Honey-Ginger Chicken Bites

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Orange-Honey Rolls

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Honey-Lime Chicken Kebabs with Mango Slices

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Honey-Roasted Butternut Squash

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Whole-Grain Honey Bread

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Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce

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Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies

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Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce

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Honey Taffy

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Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Tomato Salad

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