Barbecue sauce ingredients and more…

Here’s everything you need to know about barbecue sauce:

• What is barbecue sauce?
• Where does barbecue sauce come from?
• What is barbecue sauce made of?
• Is it BBQ sauce or barbecue sauce?
• What are the 4 types of barbecue sauce?
• Is barbecue sauce vegan?
• How do you store barbecue sauce?
• Why is barbecue sauce bad for you?
• Does barbecue sauce contain allergens?
• What sauce is similar to barbecue sauce?
• How long does barbecue sauce last?
• Does barbecue sauce contain gluten?

Now let’s find out the answers to those questions...

What is barbecue sauce?

Barbecue sauce is a type of sauce used as both a condiment and a marinade or baste for meat, predominantly meat cooked using the barbecue method. The exact ingredients and flavour of barbecue sauce can vary greatly - some people describe it as a sweet, caramelised tomato sauce, others as a rich smoky one and everything in between. Barbecue sauce is commonly associated with the South of the United States, where it is a staple of local cuisine.

Where does barbecue sauce come from?

Just like there are many variations of barbecue sauce, there are many stories of its origins. The cooking practice of “barbecue” is said to have been invented in the Caribbean, with the word deriving from the language of the Taino, a Caribbean Indian tribe.

One theory attributes the invention of barbecue sauce itself to a Dominican missionary, but most trace it back to Eastern parts of North and South Carolina, sometimes to enslaved Africans and sometimes to German or other European settlers.

One of the earliest known commercial barbecue sauce was sold by The Georgia Barbecue Sauce Company of Atlanta in 1909.

What is barbecue sauce made of?

Barbecue sauce ingredients vary from recipe to recipe but they usually begin with a tomato base, made either from fresh, pureed tomatoes or tomato ketchup. Brown sugar, mustard and some variety of vinegar are usually among the other key ingredients, with molasses, Coca Cola, paprika (or other spices such as chilli powder), onions, black pepper, liquid smoke flavouring and Worcestershire sauce used in various varieties.

Is it BBQ sauce or barbecue sauce?

Barbecue sauce is sometimes abbreviated to “BBQ” sauce, and both might appear on labels, packets and recipes. However, the abbreviation comes from the spelling “barbeque”, which is very rarely used.

What are the 4 types of barbecue sauce?

There are not 4 official types of barbecue sauce but some people divide them into 4 categories by region style - North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas, whilst others divide into 4 categories by base ingredients - tomato, vinegar, mustard and mayonnaise.

Is barbecue sauce vegan?

Though a lot of varieties of barbecue sauce are plant-based they are not always vegan-friendly, as some types of sugar (a main ingredient in most barbecue sauces) are processed using animal bone char.

Additionally, some varieties of barbecue sauce include animal-derived products among their ingredients, such as fish sauce, mayonnaise (Eggs) and Worcestershire sauce (which might contain Fish).

How do you store barbecue sauce?

Most barbecue sauces have an acidic pH, which make them less susceptible to the bacteria that causes foods to spoil.

This means that it can be safely stored in a cool, dry cupboard at room temperature. Once the sauce has been opened, it is best stored in a fridge.

Why is barbecue sauce bad for you?

Eaten in small quantities, barbecue sauce is not too bad for you, but it has a high concentration of calories owing to its sugar content, which comes not only from sugar among the ingredients, but also from the tomatoes and sometimes from ingredients such as Coca cola. Additional sugar also leads to a high carb content.

Does barbecue sauce contain allergens?

Barbecue sauce might contain a number of the 14 major food allergens, depending on the ingredients.

Ketchup - an extremely common base for barbecue sauce, often contains Celery and/or Mustard, whilst most types of vinegar contain Sulphur Dioxide, fish sauce and Worcestershire sauce can contain Fish, soy sauce is made with Soya, and Eggs are a main component of mayonnaise.

Most barbecue sauces do not contain gluten, but it is always best to check the ingredients label when it comes to allergens.

What sauce is similar to barbecue sauce?

Most barbecue sauces vary from each other, so there is no precise like for like replacement, but Hoisin sauce has some crossover ingredients (vinegar and honey in addition to soy sauce, Sesame paste and chillies) and a similar sweet yet sharp flavour.

Brown sauce has a similar tang to barbecue sauce, but does not contain sugar so it hasn’t the sweetness. Ketchup is the base for some barbecue sauces, and Mustard sometimes a component, so these condiments can also be used.

How long does barbecue sauce last?

Unopened barbecue sauce can last longer a year in a cool, dry place - it is best to check the best before date, as the quality will deteriorate over time even if the sauce remains safe to eat.

Once opened and kept refrigerated, the sauce shouldn’t spoil for 6-9 months - though the quality will deteriorate. You can find out more about Shelf Life here.

Does barbecue sauce contain gluten?

Most varieties of barbecue sauce are made with ingredients that do not involve Cereals containing Gluten, but because ingredients are so varied it is best to check the ingredients label on the bottle to make sure it does not contain any Cereals containing Gluten.