BBQ sauce didn't freeze completely

I put some homemade BBQ sauce in the freezer a few weeks ago and it never froze completely (fat or alcohol content, maybe?). It's very cold, but still somewhat soft. How long is it safe to store something like this?

Julie
  • Posted by: Julie
  • August 13, 2015
  • 24001 views
  • 3 Comments

3 Comments

Smaug
Smaug August 13, 2015
Most likely the sugar or alcohol, both of which lower the freezing temperature. In my refrigerator's freezer, not nearly as cold as the regular freezer, lemonade will not quite solidify, while orange juice right next to it will- more sugar. And sweet peppers always remain slightly pliable. They are still at regular freezing temp., and don't seem to spoil any faster than things that do freeze solid in the same freezer.
 
Susan W.
Susan W. August 13, 2015
Marcella Hazan's tomato sauce is the same way. I blame it on the butter. I'm still using the last bit from just about a year ago and it's still awesome. My frozen basil paste, however, really declines after 30 days, so like cv said, just use your judgement and tastebuds.
 
702551
702551 August 13, 2015
It's probably the fat and sugar, a bit like ice cream.

It should be fine for a couple of months, but everything that is frozen suffers from slow degradation over time. How much is acceptable? It's really up to you to decide, some people are more sensitive to freezer burn, or won't be happy with inferior quality. Heck, some people may be perfectly fine using such a thing in six months.

Again, it's really up to your own taste buds and the particular recipe you used.

Personally, I keep a basic two-month limit for items in my freezer, but that's mostly to reduce clutter.
 
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