BBQ sauce is made primarily from tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, and some other ingredients. It is used as a condiment to other dishes or to marinate meat.
It is usually sweet, spicy, sometimes tangy, and has such a long shell life that many people wonder if BBQ sauce goes bad.
Since some of its ingredients, like vinegar, sugar, and lemon juice are natural preservatives, it lasts for much longer than the printed ‘best before’ date suggests.
It sometimes happens that after preparing a BBQ menu, on getting to where your remaining sauce is stored, you find it open, past its best by date, and just can’t figure out its smell and look.
Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad?
Yes, like every other sauce, BBQ sauce can go bad, especially when not stored properly. They last for one or two years unopened and can last for six to 12 months when open, provided you store them properly. The worst that could happen with proper storage is loss of quality but it won’t quickly go bad.
How to Tell if BBQ Sauce is Bad?
Depending on the ingredients used, a darkened BBQ sauce may be normal. The following signs can help you identify bad BBQ sauce:
- Bad BBQ sauce becomes thicker with a smell that puts one off. It might also be slimy
- It becomes tasteless
- It may have mold on it
- If it’s well past its shell life, it most likely is unfit for consumption
Some notice separation in their BBQ sauce and feel that it has gone bad. Well, separation in BBQ sauce is NORMAL. All you have to do is shake it up so it blends back together. But if it has a pretty solid base and a liquid top, it has probably sat too long and has most likely gone bad.
How Long Can BBQ Sauce Last in the Fridge?
Unopened BBQ sauce can last a year or two or even longer in the fridge with no worries. When opened, it can last for about 6-9 months. Since it contains natural preservatives like vinegar, salt, sugar, it lasts long even when opened. Some manufacturers indicate how long it can last on the bottle.
Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad in the Fridge?
BBQ sauce comes with a long shelf life. However, like every other condiment, it’s not made to last forever even when it’s stored in the fridge. In there though, it can last up to and even above its shelf life. Often, a BBQ sauce is done when it loses its taste. Even if it looks fine after its shelf life has been exceeded, if it doesn’t taste good, it’s no good even if it hasn’t gone bad.
Can You Freeze Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Yes, you can. You can make use of a mason jar or freezer bag to freeze your homemade BBQ sauce.
How Long is Homemade BBQ Sauce Good For?
Many recipe makers encourage using homemade BBQ sauce within a week. This is because it goes bad fast unlike the ones bought at a store because of preservatives used and the process of production. When making BBQ sauce at home it’s advisable to make only what you can use within 7 days.
Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad If Left Out?
It does, when opened. The longer BBQ sauce is left out, the faster it will spoil. Once open, it is best to seal tight and refrigerate. But if unopened and stored at room temperature, it would at the very least, last a little past its best by date.
Does Unopened BBQ Sauce Go Bad?
Yes, it does. If it’s well past its expected shelf life, it would have lost quality and would eventually go bad.
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How Long Does BBQ Sauce Last Past Expiration Date?
Expiration is not really a fixed date. Many bottles carry a “Best Before” date but this is not usually an expiry date. It’s more about food quality, the producer’s way of telling you when the product will no longer be fresh.
BBQ sauce can last for a few more months after the indicated expiration date. The easiest way to go about it is to check for spoilage signs. If it passes all the tests, your BBQ sauce is good to go even when it is past the stated expiration date.
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Can Old BBQ Sauce Make You Sick?
While it is more delicious and enjoyable to eat fresh BBQ sauce if BBQ sauce is stored properly and there are no signs of spoilage it can be edible and poses no known health risks.
