Cocktail sauce is a tomato-based condiment which includes ketchup mixed with horseradish and hot sauce. Other ingredients often added are lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. It is traditionally served with seafood such as shrimp, crab, and oysters, but it can be used with many other dishes such as omelets, crab cakes, deep-fried foods, and even mixed into Bloody Mary cocktails.
Cocktail sauce is gluten-free. However, always check the labels to make sure there are no flavored or seasoned vinegars added such as malt vinegar, as they do contain gluten. The best gluten-free cocktail sauces are Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Cocktail Sauce, 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Cocktail Sauce, Trader Joe’s Cocktail Sauce for Seafood, and Schlotterbeck & Foss Cocktail Sauce.
In this article, we will go over how healthy cocktail sauce is, as well as some common brands available in stores. We will then look at some healthier and gluten-free alternatives that you can try instead. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Cocktail Sauce Healthy?
Cocktail sauce can be a healthy condiment if you choose one with simple ingredients and no unhealthy additives. A healthy cocktail sauce is made from a tomato base, horseradish, vinegar, herbs, and spices. A lot of common commercial brands are not made with simple ingredients and include added sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup, synthetic preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are high in sodium content. To find a healthy cocktail sauce, make sure to check the labels and keep reading this article to find some great recommendations below.
Cocktail Sauce Nutrition Information
McCormick Cocktail Sauce for Seafood – Original
McCormick cocktail sauce is gluten-free, but the ingredients include added sugars in the form of high fructose corn syrup, the synthetic preservative sodium benzoate, and artificial flavors. It is also extremely high in sodium providing 900mg per serving, which is 39% of daily limit.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Paste
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Water
- Vinegar
- Horseradish
- Salt
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Onion
- Sodium Benzoate (added as a preservative)
- Red Pepper
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Garlic
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 60mL):
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 900 mg (39% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g (7% DV)
- Total Sugars: 16g
- Includes 15g added sugars (30% DV)
- Protein: 1g
- Potassium: 4%
Heinz Original Cocktail Sauce
Heinz cocktail sauce is gluten-free but is also high in sodium and contains two types of added sugars in the form of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Concentrate (tomato paste, water)
- Distilled White Vinegar
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Horseradish
- Corn Syrup
- Salt
- Soybean Oil
- Dehydrated Onions
- Natural Flavorings
- Spices
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Contains Soybeans
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 60g):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium 590mg (25% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 18g (6% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 4%
- Vitamin C: 2%
- Iron: 2%
Kraft Cocktail Sauce
Kraft cocktail sauce is gluten-free but includes artificial flavors and synthetic food coloring such as Red 40 and Yellow 6.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Tomato Paste
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Horseradish
- Salt
- Contains less than 2% of modified food starch
- Soybean oil
- Lemon Juice
- Sorbic Acid as a Preservative
- Lactic Acid
- Natural Flavor
- Artificial Flavor
- Red 40
- Yellow 6
- Soy Lecithin
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 66g):
- Calories: 60
- Calories from Fat: 5
- Total Fat: 0.5g (1% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 880mg (37% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 11g (4% DV)
- Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 4%
- Vitamin C: 4%
- Iron: 4%
Beaver Brand Horseradish Seafood Cocktail Sauce
Beaver Brand cocktail sauce is gluten-free, but it contains two added sugars in the form of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, two types of synthetic preservatives in the form of sodium benzoate and calcium disodium, as well as artificial flavors and synthetic caramel color.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Paste
- Water
- White Distilled Vinegar
- Grated Horseradish Roots
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Salt
- Onions
- Lemon Juice
- Sugar
- Molasses
- Citric Acid
- Mustard Seed
- Soybean Oil
- Flavors (artificial, natural)
- Gums (cellulose, xanthan)
- Paprika Spices
- Sodium Benzoate (preservative)
- Red Chili Peppers
- Natural Vitamin E (protects flavor)
- Celery Seed
- Celery
- Tamarind Extract
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (retains product freshness)
- Garlic
- Anchovy Extract
- Caramel Color
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 65g):
- Calories: 60
- Calories from Fat: 5
- Total Fat: 0.5g (1% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 640 mg (27% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 14g (5% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (6% DV)
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin C: 15%
- Calcium 2%
- Iron: 4%
Healthier Gluten-Free Cocktail Sauce Alternatives
Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Cocktail Sauce
Primal Kitchen cocktail sauce is a wonderful healthier option. It is gluten-free, certified organic, ketogenic, paleo, dairy-free, and whole30-approved. It has a simple and straightforward ingredient list with lower calories, sodium, carbohydrates, and sugars than common commercial brands. No added sugars, and no synthetic preservatives, color additives or flavors.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Puree (water, tomato paste)
- Horseradish (apple cider vinegar, horseradish, water, salt)
- Balsamic Vinegar (wine vinegar, concentrated grape must)
- Sea Salt
- Parsley
- Tapioca Starch
- Dried Garlic
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Cinnamon
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 66g):
- Calories: 25
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 500mg (22% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 4g (1% DV)
- Fiber: less than 1g (4% DV)
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Includes 0g added sugars
- Protein: less than 1g
- Iron: 2%
- Potassium: 4%
365 Whole Foods Market Organic Cocktail Sauce
365 Whole Foods Market cocktail sauce is gluten-free, certified organic, and vegan. No synthetic or artificial ingredients with low sodium, low carbohydrates, and low sugar content.
Ingredients:
- Organic Tomato Puree (filtered water, organic tomato paste)
- Organic Horseradish (organic horseradish, organic apple cider vinegar, water, salt, organic cornstarch, organic cane sugar, citric acid, organic expeller pressed soybean oil)
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Distilled White Vinegar
- Salt
- Organic Worcestershire Sauce (organic distilled white vinegar, organic molasses, water, organic cane sugar, sea salt, organic caramel color, organic garlic powder, organic black pepper, organic spices [organic allspice, organic nutmeg, organic cloves, organic ginger], organic cayenne peppers, xanthan gum)
- Organic Onion Powder
- Organic Cayenne Powder
- Contains Soy Ingredients
Nutrition Facts (per 2 Tbsp. 30mL):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 290mg (13% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 5g (2% DV)
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 4g
- Includes 3g added sugars (6% DV)
- Potassium: 2%
Trader Joe’s Cocktail Sauce for Seafood
Trader Joe’s cocktail sauce is another great alternative. It has a simple ingredient list and nothing artificial.
Ingredients:
- Concentrated Crushed Tomatoes
- Grated Horseradish Root
- Sugar
- Distilled Vinegar
- Cayenne Pepper
- Spices
- Dried Onion
- Salt
- Dried Garlic
- Guar Gum
- Xanthan Gum
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 60g):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 440mg (19% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 14g (5% DV)
- Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Includes 9g added sugars (18% DV)
- Protein: less than 1g
- Iron: 2%
- Potassium: 2%
Schlotterbeck & Foss Cocktail Sauce
Schlotterbeck & Foss cocktail sauce is gluten-free and made with all natural ingredients. It also does not contain any added sugars, as well as no synthetic or artificial ingredients; however, the sodium content is somewhat high at 820mg per serving. Carbohydrates and sugar are also higher than the two healthier options listed above. It is a healthier option nonetheless than the common commercial brands.
Ingredients:
- Horseradish (horseradish, vinegar, salt)
- Concentrated Tomatoes
- Water
- Cane Sugar
- Distilled Vinegar
- Sea Salt
- Garlic
- Onion
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural vitamin E added to protect flavor
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ cup 67g):
- Calories: 80
- Calories from Fat: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 820mg (34% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 19g (6% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (6% DV)
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin C: 25%
- Vitamin A: 4%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 2%
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
If you want the healthiest gluten-free cocktail sauce, your best option would be to make your own. It is actually rather easy to make and does not require any unusual ingredients. The recipe below is a sugar-free version so it will have a low carbohydrate and sugar content. Check out the recipe below:
Sugar-Free Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened ketchup (see below – Primal Kitchen Unsweetened Organic Ketchup)
- 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish (see below – Gold’s Prepared Horseradish)
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (see below – The Wizard’s Organic Gluten-free Vegan Worcestershire Sauce)
- Hot sauce to taste (see below – Tabasco Sauce)
- Black pepper to taste
How to Prepare:
- Mix together all the ingredients
- Refrigerate until ready to use
Brands of Products to Use In Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Primal Kitchen Unsweetened Organic Ketchup
This ketchup is not only the healthiest ketchup on the market, it is also gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients:
- Organic Tomato Concentrate
- Organic Balsamic
- Less than 2% of salt
- Organic Onion Powder
- Organic Garlic Powder
- Organic Spices
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Tbsp. 15g):
- Calories: 10
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 105mg (5% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 2g (1% DV)
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 0g
Gold’s Prepared Horseradish
Ingredients:
- Horseradish
- Vinegar
- Salt
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Tsp. 5g):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 30mg (1% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The Wizard’s Organic Worcestershire Sauce
This Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Molasses
- Wheat-free Tamari (water, soybeans, salt)
- Filtered Water
- Cane Sugar
- Salt
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Ginger Puree
- Tamarind
- Chili Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Xanthan Gum
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Orange Extract
- Lemon Extract
- Smoke Flavor
- Onion Oil
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Tsp.):
- Calories: 5
- Total Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 130mg (5% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Sugars: 1g
Tabasco Sauce
Ingredients:
- Distilled Vinegar
- Red Pepper
- Salt
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Tsp.):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 35mg (1% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
Related Questions
Is cocktail sauce keto-friendly?
No, cocktail sauce is not keto-friendly because it typically contains high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar. A good keto-friendly cocktail sauce is Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Cocktail Sauce. It has 4g carbohydrates and 2g sugar per serving.
Is cocktail sauce vegan?
Some cocktail sauces are vegan and some are not. Look out for ingredients such as anchovies or Worcestershire sauce, which contains anchovies.
Is cocktail sauce high in sugar?
Yes, cocktail sauce is typically high in sugar content, but you can look for unsweetened brands such as Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Cocktail Sauce or make your own. See the homemade cocktail recipe above.