What could be the biggest mood spoiler while arranging a BBQ party? When you realize at the very last moment that you are out of BBQ sauce. Also, the sauce you have in your pantry has passed the expiry date long ago, so what comes next in your mind? Does the BBQ sauce go bad? Is it safe to use it even after the expiry date? Don’t the vinegar and tomatoes help it to last longer?
Well, for all the questions that you have in your mind right now, we have crafted this guide. Keep on scrolling to know all about BBQ sauce and its longevity.
Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad?
First, let’s jump to our very immediate reaction as to whether or not the BBQ sauce goes bad? Well, it definitely is, given the conditions in which it was stored. The BBQ needs to be stored in cool, dry places like the refrigerator after opening, and if you are retrieving your opened bottle of BBQ sauce from the pantry, it must have gone bad.
Once you answered the question as to whether BBQ sauce goes bad, now let’s get onto the next question. Do vinegar-based bbq sauces last longer than tomato-based sauces?
Why Didn’t The Vinegar Save The Sauce?
If you have purchased BBQ sauce from a reputed brand, then one thing is must that it is made of all-natural ingredients, including tomatoes, vinegar, ketchup, herbs, and spices. And without the addition of additive preservatives, the sauce will have a limited shelf life.
All the natural ingredients used in BBQ sauce tend to degrade over time, and once you open the jar, the oxidation process is initiated. Oxidation causes the breakdown of the ingredients and provides opportunities for foreign objects like fungus and mold to penetrate the sauce.
Although BBQ sauce is made of tomatoes and vinegar, which are known as natural preservatives, these two lost their preservative nature in the presence of other natural ingredients.
How Long Does Bbq Sauce Last in the Refrigerator?
The shelf life of BBQ Sauce depends on the conditions in which it is stored. So, to answer the above question, let’s first break the storing conditions into the following categories.
- An unopened bottle of BBQ Sauce in the refrigerator
- An opened bottle of BBQ Sauce in the refrigerator
Storing the unopened bottle:
If you have an unopened bottle of BBQ Sauce, then it requires a dark and cool place. So, either you can store it in your pantry or refrigerator. In both cases, the bottle can last more than a year without opening.
An opened bottle of BBQ Sauce:
Whereas for an opened bottle of BBQ Sauce, you need to be a bit cautious. Once opened, the BBQ Sauce needs to wave goodbye to the pantry and make a permanent home in a refrigerator. If maintained at specific moisture and temperature level, the refrigerator can retain BBQ Sauce for 6 to 12 months.
How long is bbq Sauce Good for after the Expiration Date?
If your bottle of BBQ Sauce has passed its expiry date even then, it is safe to use until unless you found a mold or fungus inside. But here, we want to mention the significant factor that you tend to sacrifice by using an expired BBQ Sauce, i.e., flavor.
So if you are ready to make this culinary sacrifice, you can use a bottle of BBQ Sauce even after the expiration date.
Can I Use Unopened Expired bbq Sauce?
The unopened bottle of BBQ Sauce can be stored in the pantry for more than one year. Even after the expiry date, if the sauce’s composition or texture feels safe, you can use it. The prime goal is to avoid any oxidation or contamination exposure that might change the chemical composition.
But we always recommend our readers to use fresh products to keep their health and flavors intact.
How Can You Tell If Bbq Sauce Has Gone Bad?
Although BBQ Sauce can be used even after its expiry date, it is subject to some conditions. If you found a bottle of BBQ Sauce whose expiry date has long arrived, then it is prudent to look for the signs of spoilage before consuming. Here are some warning signs that your sauce is not safe to use after the expiry date.
- Pungent smell:
We all adore BBQ Sauce for being sweet, tarty, and smoky, but if you feel that your BBQ Sauce is spicy, foul-smelling, or off-putting, then it’s time to toss it out. The foul odor is the first sign of a bad BBQ Sauce.
- Change in appearance:
Change in appearance is another significant red flag for your BBQ Sauce, and here are some of the factors to base your judgment on.
- Altering color:
If you find a significant difference in the color hue of your sauce, then it is your first alarming signal that something is not right. The change in the color is due to the oxidation process that might have been initiated in your BBQ Sauce.
- Finding mold:
There is one thing that you must never ignore. If you find mold in your BBQ Sauce bottle, it is not healthy or safe to throw it in the garbage right away.
- Clearly separated water:
Although it is completely natural to have some water on the surface of BBQ Sauce and if BBQ Sauce is within the expiry date, you can just shake and use the sauce. If the expiry date is long past and you find separate water and sauce with changed color, then it’s a loud and clear sign to throw the sauce away.
- Change in texture:
The BBQ sauce should be smooth and creamy in texture when fresh, and if you start noticing lumps in it, then it’s better to wave goodbye to it.
BBQ Sauce is our ultimate solution to give our meals that desired smoky taste and look. So it is always wise to use fresh and all-natural BBQ Sauce to give your meals the ultimate taste and color.