Is A1 Gluten Free? (We Have the Answer!)


Is A1 Gluten Free

If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, you may spend a lot of time reading labels and keeping an eye out for “gluten-free” on the front of packaging! While it can be a tedious task to constantly do this, it will improve your health and digestion, making it worth it.

Luckily, most sauces and condiments tend to be gluten-free! If you are a fan of the A1 sauces, there is some good news!

A1 sauces are gluten free. They do not contain ingredients such as wheat, rye, or barley. A1 carries a line of delicious sauces that can be used by anyone needing to avoid gluten. The best gluten free alternatives are Ocean’s Halo Organic Korean BBQ Sauce, Flavors of Ernest Hemingway Matador Steak Sauce, and Mr. Spice Organic Thai Peanut Sauce.

In this article we will discuss the different varieties of A1 sauces, their nutritional information, as well as other gluten free alternatives. Let’s dig in!

Is A1 Healthy?

A1 sauces are healthy when consumed in moderation. Each sauce’s ingredients and nutrients vary based on the flavor, but overall they are not the healthiest option. 

The calories and grams of fat tend to be low, making them a good option for you if you are trying to lose weight. But if you eat more than a couple of tablespoons, the calories will add up. It is also important to note that the average serving contains one to six grams of sugar.

High fructose corn syrup is a common controversial ingredient among the products. This syrup first started gaining traction about a decade ago, and the public has learned more about it over time. Many people choose not to eat it because regular consumption puts you at risk for the following:

  • Inflammation
  • Obesity
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

Multiple companies still use this ingredient because it is much cheaper than sugar, yet it is sweeter. If you are wanting to avoid A1 sauces that have this ingredient, the Original Steak Sauce and Steak Sauce Roomservice Jar are your only options.

A1 Nutritional Facts

New York Steakhouse Marinade

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 5g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the New York Steakhouse Marinade:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Contains less than 2% of: onions, black pepper, modified food starch, citric acid, parsley, garlic, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, and calcium disodium EDTA to preserve freshness, caramel color, molasses, corn syrup, sugar, spices (contains celery), tamarind, natural flavor

Original Steak Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 15
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 3g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Original Steak Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Vinegar
  • Corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Raisin paste
  • Crushed orange puree
  • Spices (contains celery)
  • Dried garlic
  • Caramel color
  • Dried onion
  • Xanthan gum

Chicago Steakhouse Marinade

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 1g
  • Total carbohydrate: 3g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Chicago Steakhouse Marinade:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Vinegar
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Red bell peppers
  • Contains less than 2% of: spice, lemon juice concentrate, red bell peppers, garlic, modified food starch, onions, paprika, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, and calcium disodium EDTA to preserve freshness, natural flavor

Classic Marinade

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 4g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Classic Marinade:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Vinegar
  • Corn syrup
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Raisin juice concentrate
  • Contains less than 2% of: crushed orange puree, spices (contains celery), raisin paste, dried garlic, xanthan gum, caramel color, dried onion, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium EDTA (to preserve freshness)

Texas Mesquite Marinade

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 4g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Texas Mesquite Marinade:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Contains less than 2% of: spices (contains celery), corn syrup, crushed orange puree, natural mesquite smoke flavor, xanthan gum, caramel color, raisin paste, dried garlic, dried onion, potassium sorbate, and calcium disodium EDTA (to preserve freshness)

Steak Sauce Roomservice Jar

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 15
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 3g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Steak Sauce Roomservice Jar:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Vinegar
  • Corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Raisin paste
  • Crushed orange puree
  • Spice
  • Dried garlic
  • Caramel color
  • Dried onions
  • Potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness)
  • Xanthan gum
  • Celery seed

Sweet Chili Garlic

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 25
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 6g 
  • Total sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Sweet Chili Garlic:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Vinegar
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Sugar
  • Contains less than 2% of: red bell pepper, raisin paste, modified cornstarch, garlic, chili peppers, crushed orange puree, spices (contains celery), dried onion, dried garlic, caramel color, natural flavor, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness)

Thick & Hearty Sauce

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 5g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Thick & Hearty Sauce:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Vinegar
  • Corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Raisin paste
  • Crushed orange puree
  • Spices (contains celery)
  • Dried onion
  • Xanthan gum
  • Dried garlic
  • Caramel color
  • Potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness)

Bold and Spicy Sauce Made with Tabasco

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 5g
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Bold and Spicy Sauce Made with Tabasco:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Vinegar
  • Corn syrup
  • Raisin paste
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Pepper sauce (distilled vinegar, red pepper, salt)
  • Crushed orange puree
  • Spices (including celery seed)
  • Caramel color
  • Xanthan gum
  • Potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness)
  • Dried garlic
  • Dried onions

Sweet Hickory Sauce Made with Bull’s-Eye BBQ

Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):

  • Calories: 25
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrate: 5g
  • Total sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 0g

These are the ingredients in the Sweet Hickory Sauce Made with Bull’s-Eye BBQ:

  • Tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Vinegar
  • Raisin paste
  • Salt
  • Contains less than 2% of: spices, garlic, natural flavor, natural smoke flavor, onion, celery seed, potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness), caramel color, xanthan gum

Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to A1 Products

Ocean’s Halo Organic Korean BBQ Sauce

(2 Pack) Ocean's Halo, Organic Soy-free Spicy Korean BBQ sauce, 12 ounce Both soy-free and gluten-free, this sauce is a tasty alternative to A1!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 40
  • Total fat: 2g
  • Total carbohydrates: 5g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Tahini
  • Red jalapeno pepper puree (red jalapeno peppers, salt, vinegar)
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • Rice vinegar
  • Onion
  • Sea salt
  • Molasses
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Corn starch
  • Garlic
  • Lime juice
  • Fruit and vegetable juice (color)
  • Ginger
  • Natural flavor
  • Red pepper
  • Kelp
  • Mushroom 

Mr. Spice Organic Thai Peanut Sauce

Mr. Spice Organic Thai Peanut Sauce - Salt-Free - Low Fat Marinade - Gluten Free - Vegan Mr. Spice’s peanut sauce is gluten-free, vegan, low-fat, and salt-free!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 25
  • Total fat: 1g
  • Total carbohydrates: 3g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 0.4g

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Cane sugar
  • Peanut butter
  • Blackstrap molasses
  • Grain vinegar
  • Rice starch
  • Ginger puree
  • Potassium chloride
  • Herbs and spices
  • Onion
  • Natural flavor
  • Garlic
  • Xanthan gum
  • Lemon juice
  • Natural peanut flavor
  • Gum arabic
  • Spice extract

Flavors of Ernest Hemingway Matador Steak Sauce

Flavors of Ernest Hemingway Sauces, Matador Steak Sauce, 12ozs, 2 Pack, - Gluten Free, No MSG, No HFCS This alternative steak sauce is gluten-free and comes in a variety of delicious flavors!

Nutrition Info:

  • Calories: 20
  • Total fat: 0g
  • Total carbohydrates: 4g
  • Total sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

  • Natural ketchup (tomato concentrate, sugar, vinegar, salt, onion powder, spices, natural flavors)
  • Red wine
  • Worcestershire sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, water, salt, caramel color, sugar, spices, anchovies, natural flavor, tamarind)
  • Mustard (water, distilled vinegar, mustard seed, mustard bran, turmeric)
  • Brown sugar
  • Molasses
  • Apple cider vinegar 
  • Hot sauce
  • Horseradish
  • Lime juice
  • Spices 

Final Thoughts

If you are eating gluten-free, A1 sauces are a viable option for you. They do not contain any ingredients such as wheat or rye and should not cause a reaction in anyone with celiac disease. 

While there are multiple delicious flavors, A1 sauces tend to be unhealthy and should only be consumed in moderation. They contain a higher amount of sugar, and high fructose corn syrup is a common sweetener. If high fructose corn syrup is ingested regularly, it can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes.

If you are wanting to try a replacement for the A1 sauces, Ocean’s Halo Organic Korean BBQ Sauce, Mr. Spice Organic Thai Peanut Sauce, and Flavors of Ernest Hemingway Matador Steak Sauce are just a few of many tasty gluten-free sauces at your local grocery store!

Related Questions

Is A1 Dairy-Free?

Yes, A1 sauce is dairy-free!

Is A1 Vegan?

A1 doesn’t contain any animal products.

Is A1 Keto?

Because the sauces contain relatively small amounts of carbohydrates per serving, A1 is keto-friendly.

Is A1 Vegetarian?

Yes, A1 can be consumed by vegetarians.

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Christine VanDoren

Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her passion is helping others learn how strong and healthy they can become by transforming their daily habits. Christine spends most of her time in the gym, hiking, painting, and learning how she can influence others through positivity!

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