Does Barbecue Sauce Go Bad? Yes, Here’s Why Store-bought & Homemade BBQ Sauce Go Bad

Can Barbecue Sauce Go Bad: When you have arranged a BBQ party in your backyard, and at the very last moment, if you see that the barbecue sauce that is having is past the expiry date, it will be the biggest mood spoiler.

The next thing that comes into your mind is can barbecue sauce go bad, is it safe to use even if it is expired? How long does it last? and you may start searching about this on the internet. And finally, you may have landed on our page, Right?

Don’t worry, we have answers to all your questions and also you can know the Barbecue Sauce shelf life, storage, and many more. Keep on scrolling to know everything about the BBQ sauce!!

Can Barbecue Sauce Go Bad

How Long Does BBQ Sauce Last?

Normally, when you buy the BBQ sauce in the store it will come with the “best before date”. And any BBQ sauce will have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years. But the shelf life will change to 4 months once it is opened. By storing it properly the sauce will last long. And one more thing is, every store-bought barbecue sauce comes with preservatives added to it, so they will not go bad that easily. Check out the shelf life of BBQ sauce, with the periods.

 TypesPantryFridge
BBQ Sauce (unopened)Best by + 6 months Not recommended
BBQ Sauce (opened) 1 – 4 weeks4 months
Homemade BBQ Sauce7 – 14 days Not recommended

Shelf life of BBQ sauce

Note: The period that we are providing above is for best quality only. Sometimes, the sauce may stand out more than the period we have shown, but there will not be good quality.

Does BBQ Sauce Go Bad?

Yes, the barbecue will go bad as it cannot last forever, but it will not go bad that easily. Because the BBQ sauce contains a lot of preservatives like vinegar, sugar, and lemon juice that makes the sauce quite resistant. All you need to do is you need to store it properly, if it is unopened you can keep it at room temperature in the pantry, but once it is opened it is better to place it in the refrigerator. So that it can keep the quality for months. If you keep the BBQ sauce for a year by opening it, it will go bad and have mold.

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Signs of Spoilage

Without proper storage, BBQ sauce will go bad easily, and when you take out BBQ sauce after a long time from your pantry or refrigerator, if you see any of the signs that are given below, then throw that BBQ sauce immediately.

Change in Color

When you open the sauce if you see any change in the color of BBQ sauce, then it is a sign that the sauce has gone bad. If it comes closer to expiry it will have a deeper, darker hue. It might happen due to oxidation.

Separation of Liquid

It is another sign to know that the BBQ sauce has gone bad. Normally, when you keep it in the refrigerator without using you may see separation and if it comes closer to the expiry date then also you may see separation. Anyways, when you see the separation of liquid, give a shake to mix the ingredients. It if mixes up everything uses it, or throws it.

Change in Texture

Barbecue sauce should be smooth, spreadable, and vicious. But if you see that the BBQ sauce is slimy, thick, or clumpy. Then it’s time to throw the sauce in the trash.

Pungent Smell

If you cannot see any of the visual signs then it’s time to check the smell of the BBQ sauce if it is opened after a long time. Basically, barbecue sauce will get a smell like little tart, sweet or smoky. But if you get pungent, bad, or downright gag-inducing then toss it off.

Mold Growth

When you open the bottle of Barbecue sauce if you see any mold in the sauce bottle, as it is not healthy to eat, you just discard it.

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Can Barbecue Sauce Go Bad

How To Store BBQ Sauce

To ensure that your BBQ sauce keeps as long as possible, make sure that you are storing it correctly. If you do not know how to store the BBQ sauce properly, follow the guidelines that are given below.

  • If you have the unopened bottle of barbeque, place the bottle in a cool, dry, and dark place.
  • And keep that bottle away from the heat elements and avoid any potential oxidation or contaminant exposure.
  • If you have any homemade BBQ sauce, put it in an air-tight container and place it in the refrigerator.
  • Even if it is store-bought BBQ sauce, once after opening it should be stored in the refrigerator.
  • Always store the bottle upside down which helps to retain the quality for longer.
  • After every use of BBQ sauce, keep the cap clean and dry, and keep the lid tightly.
  • Use clean and dry spoons to take out the sauce.

Does BBQ Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?

Yes, you need to store the BBQ sauce in the refrigerator once after opening. If it is made at home then also we will keep the BBQ sauce in the refrigerator. If it is an unopened bottle there is no need of keeping it in the refrigerator you can keep it in the pantry. If you leave the BBQ sauce at room temperature, it will go bad within a few weeks. If you think that the opened bottle of barbecue sauce will complete within a week, then you can leave it in the pantry or kitchen cabinet.

FAQs on Can BBQ Sauce Go Bad

1. Can I use unopened expired barbecue sauce?

The unopened bottle of BBQ sauce was stored in the pantry for more than one year. Even if it is past the expiry date if you have not seen any spoilage signs, it is still safe to use it.

2. Why didn’t the vinegar save the sauce?

If you have purchased the BBQ sauce from the best brand,  as we have many ingredients and preservatives, once after opening everything will degrade over time. Oxidation causes the breakdown of objects like fungus and mold growth. So, vinegar can saves the sauce once it is oxidized.

3. Can Old BBQ Sauce Go Bad?

Yes, but it will go bad if there is no proper storage. Even if it is old you can consume it until it doesn’t have any visual signs.

In a Nutshell

Hope that the information that was provided regarding can BBQ sauce go bad is useful for you. Still, if you have any doubts about this article you can comment to us in the comment section. To avoid the wastage of sauce, store the sauce properly and enjoy long-serving BBQ sauce. Stay connected to our site for more interesting articles.

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