Best low-sodium and sodium-free hot sauces
Hot sauces can be surprisingly high in salt, with some containing up to 17% of your daily value in just one teaspoon.
Fortunately, there are numerous low-sodium, very low-sodium, and sodium-free hot sauce options available. This guide will help you find the best choices, allowing you to enjoy the heat and flavor of hot sauce without the excess salt.
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Understanding the Difference Between Low Sodium, Very Low Sodium, and Sodium Free
Before diving into the best low-sodium and sodium-free hot sauces, it’s important to understand what these terms mean. The FDA provides specific guidelines that classify foods based on their sodium content. Hot sauces fall into three main categories:
- Low-Sodium: Hot sauces labeled as low-sodium contain 140mg or less of sodium per serving. This option is great for those who want to reduce their sodium intake but still enjoy the punch that hot sauce adds to their food.
- Very Low-Sodium: Hot sauces in this category contain 35mg or less of sodium per serving. These are ideal for those with stricter sodium restrictions who are looking to keep their salt consumption to a minimum.
- Sodium-Free: Sodium-free hot sauces contain less than 0.5mg of sodium per serving. These are the best option for people who need to avoid sodium entirely due to dietary restrictions or health conditions.
It’s also worth noting that a serving of hot sauce is typically measured as 1 teaspoon. However, since hot sauce can pack a lot of flavor in a small amount, many people tend to use more than one serving, which can lead to an unexpectedly high sodium intake. Always check the label to understand exactly how much sodium you’re consuming.
Best Low-Sodium Hot Sauces
If you’re looking for hot sauces with 140mg or less of sodium per serving, these options provide plenty of flavor while keeping the sodium content in check.
Huy Fong Sriracha
Huy Fong Sriracha is a popular choice among hot sauce enthusiasts, offering a spicy and flavorful kick with only 75mg of sodium per serving. Despite its lower sodium content, it still delivers a bold taste.
Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha
For those who enjoy the rich, umami flavors of Korean cuisine, Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha is an excellent alternative. It combines gochujang (a Korean chili paste) with the familiar heat of sriracha. With just 65mg of sodium per serving, it’s a great low-sodium option for adding depth and spice to dishes without overwhelming saltiness.
Grab Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha here.
Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce
Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce is known for its clean ingredients and intense flavor. Featuring a blend of habaneros, carrots, and garlic, it brings a well-rounded heat with only 115mg of sodium per serving. This hot sauce is an excellent option for those who want something spicy without excessive sodium.
Grab Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce here.
TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce
For a touch of luxury, TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce offers a unique combination of black truffles and chili peppers. Despite its rich and complex flavor, it contains only 40mg of sodium per serving. This makes it a fantastic choice for those seeking a gourmet hot sauce without a heavy salt load.
Grab TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce here.
Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce
With 90mg of sodium per serving, Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce offers a satisfying balance of heat and flavor. The roasted garlic adds depth and richness, making this sauce a great addition to various dishes without pushing your sodium intake over the edge.
Grab Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce here.
Cholula Original
Cholula is a well-known brand that’s widely available in grocery stores. It offers a moderate 110mg of sodium per serving and provides a balanced heat level. Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of foods, from eggs to tacos, without excessive salt.
Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Wing Sauce
If you’re looking for something with a serious kick, Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Wing Sauce brings the heat with only 90mg of sodium per serving. It’s a great choice for those who love spicy foods but need to watch their sodium intake.
Grab Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce here.
Very low-sodium hot sauces
Very low-sodium hot sauces are perfect for those who want to cut down on salt even further, with 35mg or less of sodium per serving.
Gringo Bandito
Gringo Bandito delivers plenty of heat with just 25mg of sodium per serving. It combines habanero, jalapeño, and red Japanese chilis with garlic to create a flavorful hot sauce that’s easy on the sodium. This makes it a great option for daily use, adding spice without the extra salt.
Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero
With just 20mg of sodium per serving, Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero offers a pineapple-forward flavor that pairs well with its spicy heat. It gained recognition on the popular YouTube show Hot Ones, and its low sodium content makes it a great choice for those looking to limit salt while enjoying a punchy hot sauce.
Grab Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero here.
Dick’s Peachy Green
Dick’s Peachy Green hot sauce is a fruity, mildly spicy option with only 10mg of sodium per serving. Its blend of tropical flavors and a mild kick makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a less intense heat while keeping sodium levels very low.
Grab Dick’s Peachy Green here.
Bravado Spice Co Jalapeño and Green Apple Hot Sauce
Bravado Spice Co. combines jalapeños with green apples for a unique, salsa-like hot sauce that contains just 10mg of sodium per serving. The blend of sweet and spicy makes it a refreshing addition to many dishes, and its very low sodium content ensures you can enjoy it guilt-free.
Grab Bravado Jalapeño and Green Apple here.
Tabañero Extra Hot
Tabañero Extra Hot packs a flavorful punch without overwhelming heat. With only 30mg of sodium per serving, it combines habaneros, onions, garlic, and lime for a well-rounded flavor that’s perfect for adding heat to your meals without the extra salt.
Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce
This hot sauce, with just 10mg of sodium per serving, offers a blend of chayote, papaya, guajillo powder, and mustard. Despite its low sodium content, Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce manages to deliver a complex and satisfying flavor that works well with a variety of dishes.
Grab Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce here.
Sodium-free hot sauces
For those who need to avoid sodium entirely, sodium-free hot sauces are the perfect solution. These sauces contain less than 0.5mg of sodium per serving, offering all the flavor without the salt.
Palo Alto Fire Fighters Habanero Hot Sauce
Palo Alto Fire Fighters Habanero Hot Sauce delivers a significant kick of heat with no sodium at all. Its blend of habaneros, jalapeños, and spices offers a bold flavor that complements many dishes without the need for salt.
Grab Palo Alto Fire Fighter’s Habanero Hot Sauce here.
Brother Bru-Bru’s Hot Sauce
Brother Bru-Bru’s is another excellent sodium-free option. It’s sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making it a versatile choice for those with dietary restrictions. Its blend of habanero and Japanese peppers offers a medium level of heat that adds just the right amount of spice to your food.
Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce
With a sweet and fruity flavor, Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce is a sodium-free option that doesn’t skimp on heat. It combines habaneros with mandarin oranges, mango, and chipotle for a medium-high level of spice that’s perfect for those who want both heat and sweetness without the salt.
Grab Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce here.
Finding low-sodium or sodium-free hot sauces doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re on a low-sodium diet or just looking for healthier condiment options, there are plenty of delicious hot sauces available. From bold and spicy to sweet and tangy, the options above offer a range of flavors and heat levels to suit any palate.
