If you’re craving a dish that’s both finger-licking sweet and has just the right kick of heat, you’re going to flip for this Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe. It’s smoky, juicy, and a little spicy with that perfect sticky glaze that clings to every bite. Trust me, once you try it, these skewers will become your go-to for easy weeknight dinners or weekend cookouts. And don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step to make sure they turn out mouthwateringly good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can have these skewers grilled and glazed in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Flavor Balance: The sweet heat from the hot honey meets smoky BBQ sausage and fresh veggies, hitting every craving you didn’t know you had.
- Versatile Serving: Great for a casual meal over rice or as party appetizers that guests adore.
- Customizable: Easily switch up veggies or spice level to make it exactly your style.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe plays a specific role to bring out the best flavors. From the juicy smoked turkey sausage to the colorful bell peppers and onions, everything works together to create a beautiful balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy. I always recommend picking fresh veggies and a BBQ sauce you love, because those small details elevate the whole dish.

- Smoked turkey sausage: It’s leaner than pork sausage but still packed with smoky flavor and perfect for grilling.
- Bell peppers: Choose a mix of colors for sweetness and visual appeal—red, yellow, and green all work great.
- Red onion: Adds a touch of sharpness and sweetness once grilled, softening to a tender bite.
- Kosher salt and pepper: Essential to season everything and highlight natural flavors.
- Your favorite BBQ sauce: This forms the base of our glaze, so something rich and smoky works best.
- Hot honey: The star of the show, delivering a spicy-sweet kick that is irresistible.
- Fresh cilantro: Sprinkled at the end, this herb adds freshness and brightness that cuts through the sweetness.
- Rice: A simple bed that soaks up all those delicious juices and glaze, making the meal hearty and satisfying.
Note:
Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe is how easily you can tailor it for your cravings or what’s in your fridge. I’ve found that swapping veggies depending on the season keeps it fresh and exciting, plus it’s a great way to use up whatever looks good at the market.
- Add some heat: If you like it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce before brushing—I’ve done this when I want the kick to really stand out.
- Veggie swaps: Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms work brilliantly on the skewers and add another layer of flavor.
- Meat alternatives: Sometimes I use spicy Italian sausage instead of turkey sausage for a richer, bolder flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Just double-check your BBQ sauce ingredients or grab a certified gluten-free one.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Grill and Ingredients
Start by heating your grill to high so it’s nice and hot—this gives that lovely char and smoky flavor everyone loves. While the grill warms up, chop your smoked turkey sausage into 1-inch pieces; this size matches perfectly with the bell peppers and onions. Trust me, matching sizes makes for even cooking and an easy-to-eat skewer.
Step 2: Assemble Your Skewers
Thread the sausage, bell peppers, and red onion onto your skewers in whatever pattern you like—no rules here! I usually aim for 4-5 pieces of sausage per skewer, layering with the colorful veggies for an appetizing look. Don’t overcrowd the skewers; give each piece a little breathing room to cook evenly.
Step 3: Mix and Brush the Glaze
Whisk together your favorite BBQ sauce with the hot honey—the key combo that turns these skewers into something extraordinary. Coat each skewer generously with the glaze; at this stage, you’re locking in all those amazing flavors.
Step 4: Grill to Perfection
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes total. Rotate them every 2 to 3 minutes so they get that beautiful caramelized glaze all around without burning. Feel free to brush on a little more hot honey BBQ sauce mixture towards the end for an extra shiny, sticky finish.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is perfectly grilled, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top for a fresh, herbal burst. I like to serve the skewers over fluffy white rice to soak up all that luscious sauce. Seriously, you’ll want to mop up every last drop!
Pro Tips for Making Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe
- Choose quality smoked sausage: Using a good smoked turkey sausage is a game changer, as the smoky flavor carries beautifully with the sweet heat.
- Soak wooden skewers: If you’re using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Keep an eye on the glaze: Because of the sugar in the BBQ sauce and honey, it can burn quickly—rotate often and grill on medium-high if your grill runs hot.
- Don’t overcrowd the grill: Leave space so heat circulates, ensuring even cooking without steaming your veggies and sausage.
How to Serve Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe

Garnishes
I always top my skewers with plenty of fresh chopped cilantro—it adds that fresh, green pop against the smoky-sweet glaze. Sometimes, I add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a bit of brightness or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to kick up the heat even more.
Side Dishes
These skewers shine when paired with simple, comforting sides like a fluffy bed of white or brown rice—I usually go for jasmine rice. Cornbread, grilled corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad help round out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gatherings, I’ve served these Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe on a big platter lined with fresh greens and extra chopped herbs, making it easy for guests to grab and go. Another favorite is serving them as sliders by adding sausage and grilled veggies between soft buns, drizzled with extra hot honey BBQ sauce—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover skewers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually stash them in the fridge overnight and enjoy them cold or reheated the next day, which still tastes delicious.
Freezing
I’ve frozen fully cooked and glazed skewers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in freezer bags. They keep well for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer a quick pop under the broiler or on a hot grill pan for a few minutes to bring back that caramelized glaze and fresh grill flavor. Microwaving works too, but you might lose some crispness on the veggies.
FAQs
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Can I make Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe indoors without a grill?
Absolutely! You can use a grill pan over your stovetop or even bake the skewers in the oven at 425°F (220°C) on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through, and brushing with the sauce to get that sticky, caramelized finish.
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How spicy is the hot honey glaze?
The hot honey adds a gentle heat with a touch of warmth rather than overwhelming spice. If you prefer it spicier, you can always add more hot honey or some chili flakes to the BBQ sauce mixture.
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What kind of BBQ sauce works best for this recipe?
I like using a smoky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce to complement the hot honey, but feel free to pick your favorite—whether it’s tangy, spicy, or thick and rich, it will shine here.
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Can I use wooden skewers directly on the grill?
Yes, but make sure to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning or catching fire.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe is one of those dishes I always come back to because it’s simple, flavorful, and just downright fun to eat. I love how the smoky sausage pairs with the sweet and spicy glaze—it never fails to impress my family and friends. So the next time you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe, give this one a shot. You’ll be glad you did!
Print
Hot Honey BBQ Sausage Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Grilled Hot Honey BBQ Smoked Sausage Skewers combine smoky turkey sausage with vibrant bell peppers and onions, glazed in a spicy-sweet hot honey BBQ sauce. Perfectly grilled and served over rice with fresh cilantro, this recipe offers a flavorful and colorful meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Skewers
- 13 ounces smoked turkey sausage
- 3 bell peppers, chopped into pieces
- 1 red onion, chopped into pieces
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- ¼ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
To Serve
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
- Rice, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to high heat to ensure a nice sear and even cooking of the skewers.
- Prepare Sausage: Cut the smoked turkey sausage into 1-inch pieces to match the size of the chopped peppers and onion for easy threading onto the skewers.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the sausage pieces, bell peppers, and red onion onto skewers in any order you prefer, typically 4 to 5 sausage pieces per skewer layered with vegetables.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the BBQ sauce and hot honey until well combined.
- Brush Sauce: Brush the hot honey BBQ mixture generously over all sides of the assembled skewers to coat them evenly.
- Grill Skewers: Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes to grill all sides until the vegetables are tender and sausage is heated through.
- Final Glaze: Optionally brush additional hot honey BBQ sauce onto the skewers after grilling for extra flavor.
- Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the skewers and serve them hot over a bed of cooked rice.
Notes
- Use metal or soaked wooden skewers to prevent burning on the grill.
- You can substitute smoked turkey sausage with smoked kielbasa or your favorite smoked sausage.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey according to desired spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the BBQ sauce is gluten-free.
- Vegetables like zucchini or cherry tomatoes can be added to the skewers for variety.

