Preserving Bbq Sauce: Tips For Long-Lasting Flavor

Preserving your own barbecue sauce is a great way to ensure you always have a supply of your favourite condiment. The process of preserving BBQ sauce is known as canning, and it involves preparing your sauce, bottling it, and then processing it in a boiling water bath. This method will ensure your sauce is safe to eat and will last for months without needing to be refrigerated. The process is simple, but it does require some special equipment and careful attention to safety guidelines.

Sterilise your bottles and jars

To preserve your BBQ sauce for a long time, you must sterilise your bottles and jars. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Wash your jars and bottles

Wash your glass mason jars and bottles with warm, soapy water. Rinse them thoroughly to ensure there is no soapy residue left.

Step 2: Sterilise your jars and bottles

There are several ways to sterilise your jars and bottles. One way is to put them in a boiling water bath canner and bring them up to temperature. Another way is to fill them with hot water, put them in the microwave, and blast them. You can also use a dishwasher if it has a "sterilise" setting.

Step 3: Prepare your lids

Warm the lids in hot water to ensure that the plastisol is ready to form a good seal. This is important for ensuring your jars and bottles are properly sealed.

Step 4: Fill your jars and bottles

Once your jars and bottles are sterilised and still hot, it's time to fill them with your BBQ sauce. Use a wide-ish funnel to avoid splatters and mess. Fill the jars to approximately 1/2 inch headspace, leaving some room for the sauce to expand.

Step 5: Seal your jars and bottles

After filling your jars and bottles, wipe the rims and twist on the lids. For mason jars, use the screw-on lids and tighten them securely. For bottles with lug lids, twist the lids tightly enough to ensure the plastisol comes into contact with the rim of the jar.

Step 6: Process your jars and bottles

Place your sealed jars and bottles in a boiling water bath canner and process them for the recommended time, usually around 15-20 minutes. This step is crucial for killing any bacteria and ensuring your BBQ sauce is safe for long-term storage.

Step 7: Cool and store

After processing, remove the jars and bottles from the canner and let them cool. Listen for the popping sound as the jars seal. Once cooled, check the seals and tighten the lids if needed. You can now store your BBQ sauce in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry, for several months.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your BBQ sauce is properly preserved and safe to consume for an extended period.

Use a water bath canning method

To preserve your BBQ sauce using the water bath canning method, you'll first need to make your sauce. Here's a sample recipe:

Ingredients:

• One 114 oz (7lb 2 oz) jug of Heinz ketchup
• 2 cups Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 10 cups of water

Method:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large pot.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, then cook over medium heat for 30 minutes more.
• Put the sauce through its final taste tests, adding spices as you like. If it tastes too vinegary, you can add more sugar, or you can take the bite out of the vinegar by adding 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir it in, watch the foam subside, and taste again. If it is still too vinegary, add some more.
• Now it's time to bottle your sauce. Fill clean, new, sterilized glass mason jars within 1/8 inch from the top with hot barbecue sauce.
• Prepare your water bath canner by filling a large pot with enough water to cover the jars by 2 inches. Get the water boiling hot.
• Process the jars in the boiling water bath for 15 minutes, making sure the jars are covered by two inches of boiling water while they process.
• After 15 minutes of boiling, remove the jars and let them cool. Listen for the pops as the jars seal, then check the seals and tighten the mason jar lids.
• Add a label and store the jars in your pantry.

Your BBQ sauce will keep for a couple of years if you use the water bath canning method.

Add preservatives like sodium benzoate

Sodium benzoate is a popular preservative used in food items, medicines, and cosmetics. It is also known as benzoate of soda and is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is used to prevent food from moulding and to keep products shelf-stable for at least 2 years.

To use sodium benzoate to preserve your BBQ sauce, you must first make your sauce. This can be done by combining ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices, and vinegar, and cooking them until the vegetables are soft. You can then add sweeteners like sugar or honey to taste.

Once you have made your sauce, you can add sodium benzoate as a preservative. The typical concentration of sodium benzoate used in food products is less than 0.5% by volume, and the maximum allowed amount is 0.1%. Therefore, for every 100 ml of BBQ sauce, you would add a maximum of 0.1 ml of sodium benzoate. It is important to note that sodium benzoate should not be the only preservative you use and that it works best in conjunction with other preservation methods.

After adding sodium benzoate to your sauce, you should bottle it in clean, sterile glass mason jars, leaving about 1/8 inch of space at the top. You can then process the jars using the water bath method, ensuring that the jars are covered by 2 inches of boiling water for about 15 minutes. This will help to kill any bacteria and seal the jars for long-term storage.

By following these steps and using sodium benzoate as a preservative, you can extend the shelf life of your BBQ sauce and safely store it for a good long while.

Store in a cool, dry place

Storing your barbecue sauce in a cool, dry place is a great way to preserve it. This could be a pantry or cupboard, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.

If you're storing an unopened bottle of barbecue sauce, a cool, dry place is ideal. Most commercially produced barbecue sauces have preservatives that allow them to remain stable at room temperature. An unopened bottle can last for up to its best-by date, or even up to two years, when stored in a cool, dry place.

However, once the bottle is opened, refrigeration is necessary to maintain the sauce's quality and safety. This is true for both store-bought and homemade barbecue sauces. The introduction of outside bacteria and oxygen can cause the sauce to spoil, so it's best to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.

If you're looking for long-term storage, you can freeze barbecue sauce. However, this may affect the texture and taste, so it's best to use a freezer-safe container and follow proper defrosting procedures.

Refrigerate once opened

Refrigeration is key to preserving your barbecue sauce once it has been opened. This is true for both store-bought and homemade varieties. By keeping your sauce chilled, you effectively slow down the growth of bacteria, preventing spoilage and maintaining food safety.

It is recommended to seal the BBQ sauce container tightly and store it in the fridge. This will help maintain the sauce's desired taste and keep it safe for future use. The consistent cool temperature of the refrigerator ensures that the ingredients do not separate and that the sauce's texture and flavour remain intact.

Opened BBQ sauce, when stored in the refrigerator, can last anywhere from 1 month to 6-12 months, depending on various factors. The acidity levels and preservative content of the sauce play a crucial role in determining its shelf life. The higher the acidity, the longer the sauce will last, with some sources stating a shelf life of up to 6 months.

It is important to note that refrigeration may slightly alter the flavour profile of the sauce, muting its complex flavours. Hence, it is advisable to take the sauce out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature before use to enhance its taste.

Frequently asked questions