Is old barbeque sauce safe to eat?
Last summer I made a batch of BBQ sauce. The recipe contains bourbon, lemon juice, Worcestershire, vinegar and dark molasses. It was simmered before being bottled. It's been sitting in a capped jar in the fridge since then. I know the flavor might not be optimal now, but is it safe? It's at least six months old.
Best Answer
Rule #1 is always: When in doubt, throw it out. Nobody here can guarantee that it is safe. If you didn't pasteurize (or sterilize depending on acidity) then there is always a chance of dangerous contamination.
That being said, Worcestershire and and molasses are both shelf-stable while bourbon (alcohol), lemon juice (acid), and vinegar (acid) are all types of preservatives. So if that is the complete list of ingredients (no garlic or other perishable food) then the chances of this mixture developing any harmful bacteria, especially if it's been sealed and refrigerated all this time, are slim to nil.
I'd still throw it out. Your health is worth more than the $2 and 10 minutes it costs to make a new batch. Even if it won't harm you, it can't be very good in terms of quality anymore.
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Quick Answer about "Is old barbeque sauce safe to eat?"
Is old BBQ sauce safe to eat? Generally, yes, assuming there is no mold or signs of spoilage. But, by consuming BBQ sauce well past its prime, you're sacrificing something much greater than your culinary morals: flavor.What happens if you eat expired BBQ sauce?
Remember that BBQ sauce, like a lot of other condiments, usually has a best by date and not a use by date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use BBQ sauce to compliment your favorite meals or snacks even after the best by date has lapsed.Can you get sick from eating old BBQ sauce?
At the end of the day, the shelf life of bbq sauce is usually about its quality, not safety. As long as the sauce is safe to consume and tastes good enough, it's fine to eat it, even if it's out-of-date for a few months. That's the gist of it.What happens if you eat expired sauce?
At worst, you could develop food poisoning or be exposed to dangerous amounts of harmful bacteria. "If you do eat a food past the expiration date [and the food] is spoiled, you could develop symptoms of food poisoning," said registered dietitian nutritionist Summer Yule, MS.How long is barbeque sauce good for?
Barbecue sauce can last up to nine months. According to Still Tasty, barbecue sauce that's been opened and stored in the pantry is good for about a month. To get more out of your barbecue sauce, consider storing it in the refrigerator. It should last for six to nine months there.What's The Best BBQ Sauce? Taste Test
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Answer 2
I wouldn't trust it to still be safe. You didn't sterilize the container first, and you absent any qualitative analysis of the overall Ph of your ingredients, I would assume it's not acidic enough to inhibit growth.
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