What is barbecue sauce?

Barbecue sauce is a popular condiment. It’s most often used during cooking to add flavor to cooked meats. But barbecue sauce is also used as a glaze, marinade, and dipping sauce.

What are the main ingredients in barbecue sauce?

Ingredients can vary from brand to brand and sauce to sauce. However, there are some common ingredients that are found in most barbecue sauces, these include: tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar. From there most barbecue sauces include a different blend of spices, mustard, garlic, onions or molasses. Some barbecue sauces are even smoked to add additional flavor.

What are the different types of barbecue sauce?

There are many types of barbecue sauces, and when you think “Texas barbecue” or “Memphis barbecue,” those flavors are brought out in large part because of the sauce that is used. Here are the differences in popular types of barbecue sauce:

Carolina barbecue: These sauces are usually based on mustard, vinegar or both.
Kansas City barbecue: This type of sauce is generally based on tomato and has a thicker, sweeter, tangier taste.
Memphis barbecue: Memphis barbecue sauces are similar to those found in Kansas City barbecue but tend to be less sweet and more spicy.
Texas barbecue: Texas barbecue sauces usually have a vinegar base and are often thinner than other sauces.

How is barbecue sauce used in cooking?

Most commonly, barbecue sauce is used to add flavor to meat while it’s being grilled or smoked. Near the end of the cooking processes, barbecue sauce is brushed onto the meat to provide additional flavor. It’s also used as a marinade for meats and as a dipping sauce.

How should I store barbecue sauce?

You can store barbecue sauce at room temperature until it’s opened. Once the barbecue sauce is opened, it should be refrigerated and used within a couple months. Any version of homemade barbecue sauce should be refrigerated immediately.

Is barbecue sauce gluten free?

Whether barbecue sauce is gluten free or not will vary from brand to brand and even product to product. It’s always best to check the label.

How can I thicken or thin barbecue sauce?

Thickening and thinning barbecue sauce are both easy processes. To thicken it, you simply need to add it to a pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Then add a thickening ingredient like cornstarch or tomato paste.

To thin barbecue sauce, you’ll also want to heat it on the stovetop but add a thinning liquid like vinegar or juice.

What is the shelf life of barbecue sauce?

Shelf life can vary between products. But store-bought barbecue sauce will last for around a year when stored at room temperature and left unopened. Once opened, barbecue sauce will last 2 to 4 months in the refrigerator.

Can barbecue sauce go bad?

Yes, barbecue sauce will eventually go bad whether it is opened or not. Once barbecue sauce goes bad, there will be noticeable changes to its scent, color, and texture. Eventually it begins to mold. If you’re in doubt, it’s best to throw it out.