Hot honey was a niche thing in 2017 and is somehow on every restaurant menu in 2026. Trader Joe’s, late as always but never absent, has had their version for a few years now. It costs about half what Mike’s does. So the question is whether the Mike’s premium is real.
Tasted side by side: Mike’s is hotter, more honey-forward, and has a cleaner pepper finish. The TJ’s is sweeter up front, milder on the heat, and has a slightly thicker pour. Both are more honey than hot — neither is going to scare anyone — but Mike’s is closer to what you imagine when someone says “hot honey.”
That said: TJ’s is genuinely good. On fried chicken it’s the same experience for half the money. On pizza it’s a touch sweeter than ideal but still works. In a salad dressing or marinade it’s actually preferable, because the sweeter base plays nicer with vinegar and olive oil.
If you use hot honey three times a week, get the Mike’s. If you use it occasionally, the TJ’s is the obvious pick. If you have a Trader Joe’s near you and aren’t already buying this, you’re leaving money on the table for no reason.