Honey can add sweetness and aroma to savoury food as well as desserts. Start with a little, taste as you go and choose the variety for the dish rather than a promised health effect.
1. Dress a salad
Whisk a little honey into olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar and mustard. Adjust the balance for the leaves or vegetables you are serving. Our honey-mustard dressing article offers a fuller recipe.
2. Finish breakfast
Drizzle over plain yoghurt, oats or toast. Fruit, nuts and seeds add different textures; check allergies when sharing.
3. Pair with cheese
Serve honey separately so each person can choose the amount. Compare a floral honey with a richer variety and notice how the cheese changes the pairing.
4. Make honey butter
Beat softened butter with honey to taste, then refrigerate. Our honey-butter recipe gives quantities and serving ideas. Treat it as butter-based food, not a shelf-stable honey jar.
5. Add a glaze
Use a little honey in a glaze for cooked vegetables or a suitable meat recipe. Honey can brown quickly, so follow the recipe and watch the heat. It does not make raw or undercooked food safe.
6. Sweeten a drink or bake
Stir into tea or coffee for flavour. For baking, use a recipe developed with honey: replacing dry sugar changes moisture, sweetness and browning. There is no universal substitution that works in every cake.
Once mixed with water, dairy or fresh ingredients, store the finished food appropriately. Do not use honey as an untested home-preservation method. Honey-containing foods are not suitable for infants under 12 months.
