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Top 12 Low Sodium Hot Sauce Brands
Katherine Stallard, Sydney Wexler, Merve Basoglu and Makayla Meixner, MS, RDNPublished: February 26, 2022
Our picks
Why choose low sodium?
How to choose
Key takeaways
We know nothing can get between you and your hot sauce.
But if you’re watching your salt intake, finding a low sodium hot sauce can be difficult. Some brands pack as 410mg — 17% of the daily recommended value (DV) — in a single teaspoon.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of our 12 favorite low sodium hot sauce brands, plus why to opt for low sodium options and how to choose the best product for you.
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Why choose low sodium hot sauce
As it’s been shown to lead to high blood pressure (a major risk factor for heart disease), the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting your sodium intake 2,300 milligrams or less per day (1).
Unfortunately, many brands pack a massive amount of sodium into tiny serving sizes meaning the sodium can add up quickly when you’re loading up on the sauce.
Though it’s still recommended to be mindful of your portion sizes to avoid going overboard on the salt, opting for low sodium varieties can help you stay within the recommended sodium limits per day without sacrificing the flavor or heat you’re looking for.
How to choose a low sodium hot sauce
When it comes to choosing a low sodium hot sauce, here are some key things to be mindful of:
- Sodium content. Aim for a hot sauce that contains less than 140mg (5% of the DV) per serving. However, the lower the sodium content, the better — especially if you’re likely to use more than a single serving, which is typically only 1 tsp.
- Serving size. Many hot sauces have very small serving sizes, such as 1 tsp. To put this into perspective, 1 tsp is about the size of the tip of your index finger. This means your sodium intake can quickly add up — even with low sodium varieties. To avoid overdoing the sodium, be mindful of your portion sizes.
- Flavor & heat. There are a variety of options of chili peppers in your hot sauce, and each of them has a slightly different flavor and heat. Don’t be afraid to test out a wide variety of low sodium hot sauces until you find the perfect fit.
Some hot sauces also contain unnecessary ingredients such as artificial colors and preservatives, including sodium benzoate. While some findings suggest sodium benzoate — and more specifically, a byproduct called benzene — may be potentially harmful, others suggest that the small amount in food is no cause of concern (2).
GreenChoice’s picks
How we choose the best products for you
Every product on this list contains less than 140mg of sodium per serving, sorted from lowest sodium content to highest.
1. Lola’s Trinidad Scorpion Fine Hot Sauce
Lowest in sodium
Lola’s Trinidad Scorpion Fine Hot Sauce has a very high nutritional value, has little to no processing, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: red jalapeno puree (red jalapenos, vinegar), lime juice, vinegar, garlic, trinidad scorpion pepper mash (trinidad scorpion peppers, vinegar, salt)
- Each 1-tsp serving provides 10mg of sodium
- No added sugar
- Certified gluten-free
2. Nitro Records Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce
Nitro Records Gringo Bandito Sauce Hot has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: white vinegar, water, habanero peppers, jalapeno peppers, red japanese chili peppers, salt, spices, and xanthan gum.
- Each 1-tsp serving provides 25mg of sodium
- No added sugar
3. Melinda’s Habanero Honey Mustard Pepper Sauce And Condiment
Melinda’s Habanero Honey Mustard Pepper Sauce And Condiment has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains corn
Made with: habanero pepper mash water, habanero pepper, honey, white vinegar, white onion, mustard flour, sugar, turmeric powder, salt, xanthan gum.
- Each 1-tsp serving provides 35mg of sodium
4. Tabasco Pepper Sauce
Tabasco Pepper Sauce has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: May contain milk, tree nuts, and peanuts.
Made with: Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt
- Each 1-tsp provides 35mg of sodium
- No artificial flavors or additives
5. Siete Family Foods Jalapeno Hot Sauce
Siete Family Foods Jalapeno Hot Sauce has a very high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains chia
Made with: Water, Jalapeno Pepper, Avocado Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Pumpkin Seeds, Garlic, Sea Salt, Tomatillo, Flax Seeds, Quillaja Extract, Chia Seeds, Turmeric
- Each 1-tsp provides 45mg of sodium
- Mild/medium heat
- No sugar added
6. Yai’s Thai Chili Garlic Hot Sauce
Yai’s Thai Chili Garlic Hot Sauce has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 Allergens
Made with: Water, Thai Chilis, Garlic, 100% Lime Juice, Vinegar, Shallots, Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt
- Each 1-tsp of serving contains 40mg of sodium
- Extra hot
- No sugar added
- Gluten-free
7. Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: chili, sugar, salt, garlic, distilled vinegar, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfite as preservatives, and xanthan gum
- Each 1-tsp provides 80mg of sodium
- Medium heat
- Contains added sugar and preservatives
8. Mezzetta Sauce Hot California Habanero
Mezzetta Sauce Hot California Habanero has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: water, california chili peppers, habanero peppers, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, sea salt, garlic, onion, spices, xanthan gum.
- Each 1-tsp provides 80mg of sodium
- No added sugar
9. Cholula Chipotle Hot Sauce
Cholula Chipotle Hot Sauce has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains corn
Made with: water, vinegar, sugar, peppers (chipotle, guajillo, arbol piquin), salt, natural flavors, spices, xanthan gum, silicon dioxide, citric acid caramel.
- Each 1-tsp provides 90mg of sodium
- Gluten-free
- Mild/medium heat
10. Frontera Hot Sauce Sesame Red Chile With Jalapeno And Agave
Frontera Hot Sauce Sesame Red Chile With Jalapeno And Agave has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: filtered water, red jalapeno pepper puree, onions, organic blue agave nectar syrup, tomato paste, salt, garlic, contains less than 2% of chipotle chile, cane sugar, mushroom powder, expeller pressed canola oil, black sesame seeds, sesame seeds, sesame seed oil, acetic acid, paprika, cumin, xanthan gum, oregano.
- Each 1-tsp provides 105mg of sodium
- Contains added sugar
11. Reily Foods Try Me Cajun Sunshine Hot Pepper Sauce Spicy
Reily Foods Try Me Cajun Sunshine Hot Pepper Sauce Spicy has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains corn
Made with: red cayenne peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt and vegetable gum.
- Each 1-tsp provides 115mg of sodium
- No added sugar
12. Texas Pete Sauce Hotter Hot
Texas Pete Sauce Hotter Hot has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a very low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains 0 allergens
Made with: Vinegar, Aged Peppers (Peppers, Salt, Vinegar), Water, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum and Benzoate of Soda
- Each 1-tsp provides 117mg of sodium
- Medium heat
- No added sugar
- Contains preservatives
Key takeaways
If you’re a hot sauce lover, you don’t have to give up on your favorite condiment while following a low sodium diet.
Opting for a low sodium brand that’s less than 140mg (5% of the DV per serving) can help you follow the AHA’s recommendations for daily sodium consumption.
As hot sauces often have very small serving sizes, the salt can quickly add up. Even when using low sodium varieties, consider monitoring your portion sizes.
There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you
Let GreenChoice find the ones that are
Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!
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