Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce Recipe

Popeyes sweet heat sauce recipe can be made right in your own kitchen with a few ingredients and in just 5 minutes. Use this fast food restaurant copycat to spruce up your next stir fry dish or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken!

Why This Recipe Works

I have fond memories of my husband’s and my early days in marriage when we’d find little bits of time to get away for a dinner date. One of our favorite places to go was an Asian restaurant chain that had bowls of Thai sweet chili sauce at every table.

Since it was there and since it was so delicious, we’d spoon it onto everything we ordered. It was sooo good and made our favorite dishes even better.

I have the same fond feelings about this copycat Popeye’s sweet heat sauce recipe. It’s so yummy in the restaurant, but even better at home because you can literally eat it with everything. And we do.

This delicious sauce is sweet, spicy and versatile. I eat it with chicken, fries, seafood, salads and eggs. It never lasts long. If you love the famous sauce from Popeyes restaurant chains, I have good news! It is so easy to make and having a batch in your very own kitchen will make your taste buds sing!

Recipe Ingredients

Apple cider vinegar – Other varieties may be used in place of apple cider, such as white vinegar or red wine vinegar.

Brown sugar – Dark brown sugar or light brown sugar will both work great, but the dark variety gives the final flavor an added depth.

Hot sauce – My favorite brand is Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, but any variety will work.

Cayenne pepper – This ingredient really makes this the spicy sauce it is known for. Cater the amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe to adjust the level of heat. Add more (in 1/4 tsp increments) to make it even spicier!

Garlic salt and garlic powder – Doubling up on garlic? Yes! This sauce is known for having an extra garlic kick, so don’t skip out on it. If you’re curious why there’s no salt in the recipe, the 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt does the trick.

Paprika – Add a delicious smoky flavor by using smoked paprika vs regular!

How to Make Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the following ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Hot sauce
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic salt
• Garlic powder
• Paprika powder

Step 2

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Notes

I love keeping my homemade sauce recipes as simple as possible, but there are always ways to dress them up! Here are a few options to boost the heat and flavor in this simple sauce:

• Squirt lime juice into the mixture.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder for an extra spicy twist.
• Include 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Add red pepper flakes or chili flakes to kick up the heat even more.
• A splash of soy sauce adds a delicious touch.
• Add an extra sweet flavor by drizzling in a bit of sweet honey.

Ways To Use Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

• Doused on Popeyes chicken, of course.
• Use as stir fry sauce in your next Asian-inspired dish.
• This is the perfect sauce for dipping chicken tenders, chicken nuggets or fried chicken.
• Drizzle it over baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.
• It is the perfect marinade for chicken, salmon, shrimp, fish or pork.
• Drizzle it over a salad for a zingy dressing.
• Spread a thin layer of butter on a piece of bread, topped with a layer of this sauce and broil it for a few minutes in the oven.
• Use as a dip for French fries, tater tots or potato chips.
• Top scrambled or fried eggs with it.

How Long Is Sweet Heat Sauce Good For

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, either in a bowl covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

Homemade Sauce Recipes

• Cilantro Lime
• Subway Chipotle Sauce
• Alfredo Sauce
• Barbecue Sauce
• McDonald’s Copycat Breakfast Sauce
• Taco Sauce
• Seasoned Sour Cream

18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later

Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier! Homemade all the way!

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