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. But fear not; we’ve got you covered with the best low, very low, and no-sodium hot sauce options.
Whether you’re watching your sodium intake for health reasons or prefer a less salty taste, we’ve curated a range of sauces to suit every palate – from mild to extreme heat.
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Low sodium, very low sodium, sodium-free… what’s the difference?
Understanding the distinctions between low-sodium, very-low-sodium, and sodium-free hot sauces is crucial for health-conscious consumers. The FDA has set clear guidelines to determine which category a product falls into, providing transparency for consumers to make informed choices.
Firstly, the term “low sodium” is assigned to hot sauces containing 140mg or less sodium per serving. This category caters to those who want to limit their sodium intake without compromising flavor.
Secondly, we have “very low sodium” hot sauces, which boast an impressively low sodium content of fewer than 35mg per serving. These options are ideal for individuals seeking to reduce their sodium consumption significantly.
Lastly, the coveted “sodium-free” label is reserved for hot sauces containing less than .5mg of sodium per serving. These options are a go-to choice for those on a strict sodium-restricted diet or simply aiming to eliminate sodium from their meals.
It’s important to note that a single serving of hot sauce typically amounts to just 1 tsp. However, given its potency, it’s easy to consume multiple servings in one sitting unknowingly, leading to higher sodium intake than anticipated.
Interestingly, not all hot sauce brands capitalize on marketing their products as low sodium, even if they qualify for the designation. Therefore, the most reliable way to determine the sodium content is to check the label before purchasing. By doing so, you can confidently select a hot sauce that aligns with your dietary preferences and sodium goals while enjoying the fiery flavors these sauces bring to your dishes.
Low-sodium hot sauces
Looking for low-sodium hot sauces? With under 140mg of sodium per serving, these sauces are a great option if you’re watching your salt intake.
Remember that 140mg is still 6% of the recommended daily sodium intake of 2,300mg, so while they can be labeled as “low sodium,” your personal definition may vary.
Consider very low sodium or sodium-free options if you’re super sensitive to salt or concerned for your health. Here are a few of my favorite low-sodium hot sauces you’ll love.
Huy Fong Sriracha
Huy Fong Sriracha is an excellent choice for those seeking low-sodium hot sauces, containing only 75mg of sodium per serving. However, due to the current Sriracha shortage, finding it online or at an affordable price might be challenging. I
f you need a similar alternative, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of substitutes for you to explore. These alternatives will deliver comparable flavors and heat, ensuring your culinary adventures remain exciting even during the scarcity of Huy Fong Sriracha — and some of them are low sodium as well!
Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha
If you’re into spicy Korean BBQ flavors, Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha is an excellent alternative to Huy Fong Sriracha. It features gochujang, a Korean chili paste, which gives it a distinct and flavorful taste. With just 65mg of sodium per serving, it’s a low-sodium option that won’t compromise flavor.
Grab Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha here.
Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce
Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce is a top-notch choice for hot sauce enthusiasts. Their commitment to simplicity and premium ingredients ensures a delightful taste experience with each bottle. Packed with heat, this habanero hot sauce is a flavor powerhouse, boasting a well-rounded blend of carrots, tangerine juice concentrate, and garlic. With only 115mg of sodium per serving, it’s an excellent option for those mindful of their sodium intake.
Grab Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce here.
TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce
Discover the distinct and luxurious flavors of TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce. This sauce is known for its unique taste, prominently featuring the richness of black truffles. It offers a delightful flavor experience and comes in different heat levels to suit your preference. You can enjoy the deliciousness without excessive salt with just 40mg of sodium per serving. Add TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce to your culinary repertoire and elevate your dishes with its sophisticated taste.
Grab TRUFF Black Truffle Hot Sauce here.
Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce
Experience the bold and flavorful Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce. This sauce combines red Tabasco peppers and roasted garlic, offering a spicy and warm taste. It has noticeable heat but is not overly spicy, with a prominent garlic-forward flavor. Enjoy the deliciousness without excessive sodium, as it contains only 90mg per serving.
Grab Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce here.
Cholula Original
Much like Huy Fong Sriracha, Cholula Original hot sauce is a popular and widely recognized brand available at most local grocery stores. It offers a flavorful option with 110mg of sodium per serving without excessive salt content. This sauce strikes a medium-low heat level, making it suitable for a wide range of taste preferences.
The versatility of Cholula is one of its strong suits, and I find it particularly delightful when drizzled over eggs and burritos. So, whether you want to add a kick to your breakfast or your favorite Mexican dishes, Cholula Original hot sauce is a go-to choice that won’t disappoint.
Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce is a dependable option from a reputable brand that offers a diverse range of delectable flavors. If you’re craving some serious heat, this ghost pepper sauce will satisfy your taste buds. With 115mg of sodium per serving, it delivers an intense and fiery experience without excessive salt.
Grab Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce here.
Very low-sodium hot sauces
Very low-sodium hot sauces are a fantastic option for those who want to minimize their sodium intake. These sauces contain 35mg or less of sodium per 1 tsp serving, making them a great choice for health-conscious individuals. The market offers a wide variety of very low-sodium hot sauces to cater to different heat preferences, ensuring you can enjoy the perfect spiciness level without compromising your dietary goals.
Gringo Bandito
Gringo Bandito is a straightforward yet flavorful hot sauce. With just 25mg of sodium per serving, it aligns perfectly with very low sodium dietary preferences. This sauce features a harmonious blend of habaneros, jalapeños, red Japanese chilis, and garlic, resulting in a rich and satisfying taste. The heat level strikes a balance that makes it ideal for everyday use, offering a pleasant kick without being overly spicy.
Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero
Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero is an excellent choice for those seeking a very low-sodium hot sauce, as it contains only 20mg of sodium per serving. This sauce boasts a pineapple-forward flavor profile, providing a delightful tropical twist without added sugar. Notably, it gained recognition on season 9 of Hot Ones, a testament to its outstanding taste and heat. With habanero and jalapeños as its fiery base, Sauce Bae strikes the perfect balance, offering noticeable spiciness without being overwhelming.
Grab Sauce Bae Skinny Habanero here.
Dick’s Peachy Green
Dick’s Peachy Green is a hot sauce that promises a fruity and tropical taste sensation, offering a dynamic flavor profile that delights the palate. With just 10mg of sodium per serving, it aligns perfectly with very low sodium preferences. This sauce perfectly balances sweetness and a subtle kick of spiciness, making it a delightful choice for those who enjoy a milder heat level. Often compared to chutney in taste, Dick’s Peachy Green is a unique and flavorful addition to your culinary adventures.
Grab Dick’s Peachy Green here.
Bravado Spice Co Jalapeño and Green Apple Hot Sauce
Bravado Spice Co Jalapeño and Green Apple Hot Sauce offers a delightful taste experience with its unique combination of flavors, with only 10mg of sodium per serving. This hot sauce boasts a mild heat level, making it a good choice for those who prefer a gentler kick. The star ingredients, green apples and jalapeños, take center stage, creating a distinct and memorable taste. Likened to salsa rather than a traditional hot sauce, Bravado Spice Co Jalapeño and Green Apple Hot Sauce brings a refreshing twist to your dishes.
Grab Bravado Jalapeño and Green Apple here.
Tabañero Extra Hot
Tabañero Extra Hot hot sauce offers a flavor-forward experience with the perfect heat balance. Despite being labeled as “extra hot,” it’s not overly spicy, making it a suitable choice for those who enjoy a medium heat level. Tabañero takes pride in crafting high-quality sauces that prioritize taste above all else. This hot sauce features a delectable blend of red habaneros, onion, garlic, and lime juice, ensuring a delightful and memorable flavor with every drop. With just 30mg of sodium per serving, you can enjoy the taste without worrying about excessive salt intake.
Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce
Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce is a distinct hot sauce with only 10mg of sodium per serving. What sets it apart is the unique blend of flavors, combining chayote, papaya, guajillo powder, mustard, and an array of spices. Despite the challenge of achieving complexity without excessive salt, this sauce rises to the occasion, delivering a truly satisfying taste experience. Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce is the product of a Black, woman, and veteran-owned business.
Grab Grandma’s Trini Pepper Sauce here.
Sodium-free hot sauces
Locating sodium-free hot sauces can be challenging, but they do exist. To meet the criteria for being sodium-free, the sauce must contain .5g of sodium or less per serving. Although rare, these sodium-free hot sauces provide a perfect option for those strictly monitoring their sodium intake or following a low-sodium diet.
Palo Alto Fire Fighters Habanero Hot Sauce
Palo Alto Fire Fighters Habanero hot sauce is a flavorful sauce with a noticeable kick, thanks to its blend of jalapenos, habanero, paprika, and spices. It offers a satisfying heat level without being extremely spicy, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy a little kick in their food. Best of all, this hot sauce contains 0mg of sodium per serving, making it an excellent sodium-free option.
Grab Palo Alto Fire Fighter’s Habanero Hot Sauce here.
Brother Bru-Bru’s Hot Sauce
Brother Bru-Bru’s Hot Sauce is a sodium-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly option with 0mg of sodium. It brings a flavorful punch with a medium level of heat, featuring a delightful blend of habanero and Japanese peppers.
Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce
Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce is a fruity and hot blend featuring habaneros, mandarin oranges, mango, and chipotle. With 0mg of sodium per serving, this sauce fits any low-sodium diet. This sauce leans towards the sweeter side of hot sauces, with a medium-high level of heat that adds just the right amount of spiciness to your dishes.
Grab Crazy Jerry’s Brain Damage Hot Sauce here.
Finding low-sodium hot sauces doesn’t mean compromising on flavor or heat. Whether you’re on a low-sodium diet or simply looking for healthier condiment choices, these sauces offer a delicious way to spice up your meals without excessive salt.
