How long does homemade bbq sauce last without preservatives?
One of the primary ingredients of bbq sauce is vinegar, which is itself a natural preservative. Vinegar is used to preserve a wide range of foodstuff via pickling. For this reason bbq sauce can be generally maintained at room temperature for long periods with no ill effect. Of course there are specific situations that could result in harmful organisms growing, for example a bowl of sauce where meat is dipped into it would risk becoming contaminated with bits of meat. Also large amounts of sugar with small amounts of vinegar could leave the sauce vulnerable to fermentation if unrefrigerated. Manufacturers of prepared sauces recommend discarding unrefrigerated sauce that has been opened after a month. Refrigerated it can last indefinitely.
