Everything You Need to Know About BBQ Sauce

Love it or hate it BBQ sauce is popular around the world. Some people swear by it others are adamant that a perfect piece of meat should need no sauce at all. Some like it sweet, some like it spicy. Whatever your thoughts, you almost certainly have a bottle in the cupboard or know somebody who does.

What Is BBQ Sauce?

BBQ sauce is a type of sauce used for marinating, basting, or topping barbecue meat such as pork, ribs, or chicken. It has its roots in, and is ubiquitous to, Southern United States cooking but has since grown to become a staple around the world. Early simple recipes generally used vinegar, salt, and pepper. Modern-day sauce can vary greatly by region but common ingredients include ketchup, mayonnaise, sugar, liquid smoke, onion powder, and spices.

Who Invented BBQ Sauce?

The exact origins of BBQ sauce are heavily disputed, but most agree that modern barbecue sauce has it’s roots in the American colonies of the 17th century. In 1698 Père Labat, a Dominican missionary, traveled to the French West Indies and saw cooks using lime juice and hot peppers on barbecued meat. Today many variations of BBQ sauce exist and can be attributed to a large number of different regions.

Does BBQ Sauce Need to be Refrigerated?

Food with less than 4.5 pH is too acidic to allow spoilage bacteria to grow. Due to its main ingredients of vinegar and salt, BBQ sauce has a pH level generally in the region of about 4 pH. This means that BBQ sauce can be kept at room temperature and has a long shelf life. However, some have suggested that refrigerating the bottle after opening can lengthen the life of the sauce. Personally I always refrigerate mine after opening as it makes me feel that it will keep fresher.

How Long is BBQ Sauce Good for in the Fridge

BBQ sauce stored in the fridge, unopened can last up to 2 years. Most store-brand bottles have a best-by date of 1.5 to 2 years. Bottles that have been opened and stored in the fridge should last between 6 to 9 months. They can generally last longer than that as mentioned above but you will eventually start to notice that the taste changes.

The Range of BBQ Sauces Available are Never Ending

How to Thicken a BBQ Sauce

There are a variety of different methods that can be used to thicken a thin watery sauce. The first method here involves removing ingredients instead of adding them. Evaporate excess water and vinegar by heating your sauce in a small pan over low heat. Stir occasionally, and do now allow the sauce to boil. The next method involves adding starch to your sauce. Flour is an easy way to thicken sauce because it helps absorb liquids. It is also great to use because it is flavorless therefore it will not change the flavor or spice level of your sauce. If you go with the adding option we recommend mixing 2 tbsp. flour + 1/4 cup water in a bowl and set aside. Add your BBQ sauce to a small pan on medium heat. Once simmering, slowly add in the flour prepared earlier and mix well. Stir for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce is at your desired consistency.

How to Get BBQ Sauce out of Clothes

BBQ sauce can be quick to set inside the fabric of clothing, making your clothes easily stainable. If the stain is fresh it can be quickly removed using cold water and liquid laundry detergent. Using hot water causes protein-based stains to become stubborn. Making sure both sides of the fabric are covered, let the detergent set for 10 minutes before washing your clothes as normal. If the stain has already been set, the removal can become more complicated. If the clothes are white, the bleaching properties of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar on a sponge can be used to dampen the stain. If you have colored clothes you can skip the previous step and go straight to a liquid or gel stain remover. Apply to both sides of the fabric for 15 minutes before doing a normal wash.

Can You Freeze BBQ Sauce?

Freezing BBQ sauce is a great way to keep it fresh longer! Let your sauce get to room temperature before placing it in your freezer. Remember that BBQ sauce cannot be refrozen after being thawed once so you should freeze your sauce in smaller containers if you have a large portion.

Is BBQ Sauce Vegetarian?

Most BBQ sauces are not only vegetarian but vegan as well. Generally, there is no need to look for vegetarian or vegan-specific sauces. There are some exceptions though and one of the more common animal products to look out for is honey.

How Long Does Homemade BBQ Sauce Last?

Unfortunately, homemade BBQ sauce has a significantly shorter life span than store-bought sauce. Homemade sauce can stay fresh in your fridge for 7 to 10 days. It can be kept in a freezer for up to 1 year. Using fresh ingredients and clean tools when preparing your sauce can help keep it fresh longer.

How Many Carbs are in BBQ Sauce?

BBQ sauce generally has 7 – 12 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon. This can vary greatly depending on the ingredients and recipe used. Generic store-bought sauce is generally around 9g tbsp.

Is BBQ Sauce Acidic?

With a pH level around 4 BBQ sauce can be quite acidic. This is due to its base ingredients of ketchup and vinegar. This can cause heartburn in people who suffer from acid reflux or indigestion.

What other questions do you have about BBQ sauce? Let’s see if we can get them answered for you. Leave a comment and we will look into it.

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