This glaze was born from a craving for something vibrant to elevate a simple roasted chicken, and it delivered beyond expectations. With the warmth of brown sugar and cinnamon, the brightness of citrus, and the smoky kick of chipotle, it brings bold, balanced flavor to any dish. It’s the kind of sweet-and-spicy concoction that transforms everyday meals into unforgettable showstoppers. Whether brushed onto a holiday ham, drizzled over grilled corn, or used as a finishing touch for tofu or salmon, this homemade glaze is a go-to secret for mouthwatering results.

Homemade Spicy Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

1- 1¼

cups

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

A rich, sweet-and-spicy glaze made with brown sugar, citrus, chipotle, and cinnamon. Great for meats, veggies, or tofu. Yields about 1 cup. Store up to 1 week in the fridge..

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Ingredients

4 tbsp Butter
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Fresh Orange Juice
1/2 tsp Orange Zest
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Chipotle Powder
1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1-2 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice

Directions

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the brown sugar and stir until almost dissolved and slightly thickened.
Pour in the orange juice and stir in the orange zest.
Add the salt, chipotle powder, black pepper, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
Add the salt, chipotle powder, black pepper, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Add the lime juice and simmer for another 1–2 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Use as desired!

Notes

This recipe is perfect for glazing roasted vegetables, grilled meats, holiday hams, or even drizzling over sweet potatoes and baked tofu.
You can easily adjust the heat by reducing the chipotle powder or swap it with smoked paprika for a milder version.
The glaze can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just reheat gently before serving.