Rosemary Mustard Chicken Wings are an incredibly satisfying appetizer to make on the grill. Hardwood-smoked and generously coated with a homemade rosemary mustard sauce, these wings deliver a wonderful balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. They make a perfect start to any cookout or game-day spread and pair well with other grilled appetizers.
Hearty appetizers shine on the grill. If you enjoy variety, consider pairing these wings with other crowd-pleasing items like steak and cheese bites, jalapeño poppers with brisket and bacon, or grilled shrimp tossed in a honey garlic glaze. With a fire going and the right sauce on hand, you can build a full menu centered around bold, smoky flavors.

No matter the occasion, firing up the grill is one of the best ways to bring people together. These grilled rosemary mustard chicken wings were a hit with family and friends. The smoke from hardwood like pecan or hickory complements the tangy mustard, while fresh rosemary and a touch of brown sugar add depth and balance. The method below gives you tender, smoky wings finished with a sticky, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients for Rosemary Mustard Chicken Wings:
- chicken wings (about 2 pounds)
- prepared yellow mustard (1 cup)
- brown sugar (2/3 cup)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
- fresh minced rosemary (1 tablespoon)
- onion flakes (1 tablespoon)
- granulated garlic (1 tablespoon)
- black pepper (1 tablespoon)
- kosher salt (1 teaspoon)

How to Grill Rosemary Mustard Chicken Wings:

- Combine the prepared yellow mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, fresh rosemary, onion flakes, granulated garlic, black pepper, and kosher salt in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring or whisking until the brown sugar dissolves and the sauce is well combined. Remove from heat and let cool. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
- Prepare your grill for indirect cooking and build a fire to maintain an internal grill temperature around 350°F. Use pecan or hickory chunks for a mild, complementary smoke flavor.
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels and arrange them on a clean baking sheet or tray.
- Place the wings on the grill over indirect heat, close the lid, and smoke for about 20 minutes. This initial smoke phase cooks the wings gently and infuses that smoky character.
- Check the wings with a digital thermometer; they should reach about 160°F internal temperature before saucing.
- Pour about 1 cup of the rosemary mustard sauce into a large bowl. Add the wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
- Return the sauced wings to the grill and cook for another 8–12 minutes with the lid closed, rotating as needed so the sauce caramelizes without burning. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is glossy and slightly charred in spots.
- Remove the wings from the grill and serve immediately while hot. Reserve extra sauce for dipping if desired.

How to Store and Reheat:
- Refrigerate leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooked wings for up to 3 months; label with the date.
- To reheat refrigerated wings, preheat the oven to 350°F and warm on a lined baking sheet for about 10–12 minutes until heated through.
- To reheat from frozen, brush wings with additional sauce, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until fully heated; remove foil for the last few minutes to allow the skin to crisp slightly.

More Delicious Grilling Appetizers:
To expand your appetizer spread, try grilled honey garlic shrimp for a quick seafood option or peach BBQ meatballs for a sweeter, heartier bite. For a charcuterie-style addition, smoked summer sausage adds rich, savory flavor alongside cheeses and pickles.

If you are searching for a new appetizer for your next cookout, these rosemary mustard chicken wings are an excellent choice. The combination of smoky chicken, tangy mustard, brown sugar, and fresh rosemary creates a memorable flavor profile that’s hard to beat.
Rosemary Mustard Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, thawed
- 1 cup prepared yellow mustard
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary
- 1 tablespoon onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the rosemary mustard sauce by combining the mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, onion flakes, garlic, pepper, and salt in a saucepan and cooking over medium heat until the sugar melts.
- Whisk to combine thoroughly, then set aside to cool or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Build a grill fire to about 350°F using pecan or hickory for smoke.
- Pat wings dry and place on a clean baking sheet.
- Cook wings over indirect heat with the grill closed for about 20 minutes.
- Check internal temperature; target about 160°F before saucing.
- Pour 1 cup of sauce into a large bowl, add wings, and toss to coat evenly.
- Return wings to the grill and cook about 10 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and sauce has caramelized.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes from refrigerated, or brush with sauce and bake covered from frozen for about 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Per serving (approximate): Calories 458 kcal | Carbohydrates 30 g | Protein 21 g | Fat 29 g | Sodium 1080 mg