Is Heinz 57 Sauce Gluten Free? (No, Here’s Why)


Is Heinz 57 Sauce Gluten Free

Heinz 57 Sauce is a zesty condiment that can be used as a dip or a sauce on meats or as a marinade, a salad dressing and as an ingredient in a variety of recipes.

Heinz 57 is not gluten-free. In fact, none of the three Heinz 57 Sauce varieties are gluten-free because they all contain malt vinegar. Malt Vinegar is made from malted barley, which contains 2% – 5% gluten and is not safe for those with celiac disease or those who are gluten intolerant. The best gluten-free alternative is Primal Kitchen Steak Sauce.

In this article, we’ll look at the ingredients in the original Heinz 57 Sauce and in the two varieties of the sauce – Heinz 57 Steak Sauce and Heinz 57 Sauce with Honey. We’ll also explore how barley is used in making malted vinegar, and how malted vinegar an additive that is used in many foods.

What is Heinz 57 Sauce?

Heinz 57 Sauce is a steak sauce that has been made by H.J. Heinz Company for about 100 years. It has a very distinctive taste and a dark yellow color. Like A1 Steak Sauce and other iconic sauces, Heinz 57 Sauce has a very distinctive taste – one that has a hint of mustard. Two other varieties of Heinz 57 Sauce are currently on the market, but the company makes many different sauces and dressings.

The Story Behind Heinz 57

It all started with pickles – 57 of varieties of pickles to be exact. Company founder Henry J. Heinz threw the slogan out for the first time in 1896 by advertising: “57 pickle varieties”. The first product that was promoted under that slogan was horseradish.

What inspiration for the slogan depends upon who you ask – some say Heinz was inspired by his wife, but most point to an advertisement that Heinz had read, one that pitched 21 varieties of shoes.

What is Barley Malt?

Barley malt powder is used as a flavor and texture enhancer in many different products. Steak sauce is one of them. You’ll also find it in baked goods to help crust browning, drinks and ice creams, syrups and milkshakes. It is made by sprouting barley grain and then grinding it into a powder and it is not gluten-free. Common substitutions for barley malt include coconut milk powder, maca powder and almond milk powder.

What is Malt Vinegar?

Malt vinegar is vinegar made from malted barley and other grains. It has a nutty, caramel flavor and usually is made from the same grains that are used in making beer. It can range in color from a light brown to a darker amber color. Malt vinegar is a common ingredient in chutney sauces, meat marinades, steak and BBQ sauces, and is a traditional ingredient in coleslaw.

Heinz 57 Sauce vs Ketchup

Heinz makes a ton of different kinds of ketchup, but not 57 of them. In fact, ketchup was added to the company’s product list after their original Heinz 57 Sauce was born. Now the company name is almost synonymous with ketchup, but they make a whole slew of other sauces.

Heinz 57 Sauce has a thinner consistency than ketchup and more of a zesty, mustard-inspired flavor.

Is Heinz 57 Sauce Healthy?

When you consider the other options on the market, Heinz 57 Sauce is not the healthiest option at your fingertips. It is full of sugar and contains high fructose corn syrup. The sauce doesn’t have much nutritional value.

Heinz 57 Sauce Original Flavor

Ingredients:

  • Tomato Puree (water, tomato paste)
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Malt Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Modified Food Starch
  • Raisin Juice Concentrate
  • Mustard Flour
  • Soybean Oil
  • Turmeric Spices
  • Apple Puree
  • Sodium Benzoate
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Caramel Color
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Natural Flavors

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 17 g. serving):

  • Calories – 20
  • Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 160 mg / 7%
  • Sugars – 3 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Heinz 57 Sauce with Honey

Ingredients:

  • Tomato Puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Honey
  • Dark Brown Sugar
  • Modified Food Starch
  • Molasses
  • Salt
  • Raisin Juice Concentrate
  • Malt Vinegar (contains barley)
  • Apple Puree
  • Soybean Oil
  • Spices
  • Mustard Flour
  • Turmeric
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Sodium Benzoate
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor
  • Invert Sugar
  • Sugar

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 17 g. serving):

  • Calories – 25
  • Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 120 mg / 5%
  • Sugars – 5 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Heinz 57 Steak Sauce with Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

Ingredients:

  • Tomato Paste
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Malt Vinegar
  • Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, water, sugar, salt, onions, anchovies, garlic, cloves, tamarind extract, natural flavorings, chili pepper extract)
  • White Distilled Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Raisin Concentrate
  • Mustard Flour
  • Caramel Color
  • Soybean Oil
  • Turmeric
  • Spices
  • Apple Puree
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Sodium Benzoate
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Natural Flavors
  • Water

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 17 g. serving):

  • Calories – 20
  • Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 210 mg / 9%
  • Sugars – 4 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Healthy & Gluten-Free Alternatives to Heinz 57 Sauce

There are dozens of gluten-free alternatives to Heinz 57 Sauce that fall into both the steak sauce and the barbecue sauce categories. Just because a sauce is gluten-free, doesn’t mean it’s healthy, though. Take Sweet Baby Ray’s, for example, which contains high fructose corn syrup.

Primal Kitchen Steak Sauce

Primal Kitchen's Steak Sauce Organic and Sugar Free, 8 oz, Pack of 2 This steak sauce is certified gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian and is made from all organic ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Balsamic Vinegar (wine vinegar, concentrated grape must)
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Sea Salt
  • Tamarind
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Orange Juice Concentrate
  • Ground Ginger
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Mustard Flour
  • Sage
  • Black Pepper
  • Allspice
  • Cloves
  • Celery Seed

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 16 g. serving):

  • Calories – 10
  • Total Carbohydrates – 1 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 300 mg / 13%
  • Sugars – 0 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Primal Kitchen BBQ Sauce

Primal Kitchen's Classic BBQ Sauce, Organic & Unsweetened, 8 oz, Pack of 2 This BBQ sauce is certified gluten-free, made from all organic ingredients, is paleo and dairy-free.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Dijon Mustard (apple cider vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, spices)
  • Sea Salt
  • Coriander
  • Cumin
  • Black Pepper
  • Onion Powder
  • Chipotle Powder
  • Natural Smoke Flavor
  • Garlic
  • Cinnamon
  • Garlic Powder

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tbsp / 31 g. serving):

  • Calories – 15
  • Total Carbohydrates – 3 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 160 mg / 7%
  • Sugars – 2 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Primal Kitchen Golden BBQ Sauce

Primal Kitchen's Golden BBQ Sauce, Organic & Unsweetened, 8 oz, Pack of 2 This variety of Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce is certified gluten-free, made from all organic ingredients, is paleo and dairy-free.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Yellow Mustard (water, vinegar, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Sea Salt
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Cumin
  • Black Pepper
  • Onion Powder
  • Chipotle Powder
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Mustard Flour
  • Natural Smoke Flavor
  • Ancho Powder
  • Garlic
  • Garlic Powder

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 15 g. serving):

  • Calories – 15
  • Total Carbohydrates – 3 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
  • Sodium – 160 mg / 7%
  • Sugars – 1 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Kevin’s Keto BBQ Sauce

Kevin's Natural Foods - Korean BBQ Sauce - Keto and Paleo Simmer Sauce - Stir-Fry Sauce, Gluten Free, No Preservatives, Non-GMO - 3 Pack (Korean BBQ) This sauce is certified gluten-free, keto, paleo-friendly and is made from all organic ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Coconut Aminos (coconut nectar, water, sea salt)
  • Coconut Sugar
  • Sesame Oil
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Vinegar
  • Lemongrass Puree (lemongrass, water)
  • Yeast Extract
  • Ginger
  • Spices
  • Cilantro
  • Dehydrated Garlic
  • Dehydrated Onion
  • Shitake Mushroom
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Sesame Seed
  • Citric Acid
  • Monk fruit Extract

Nutrition Facts (per 2 tbsp / 31 g. serving):

  • Calories – 30
  • Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
  • Total Fat – 1 g / 1%
  • Sodium – 170 mg / 7%
  • Sugars – 2 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Hughes Original Recipe Steak Sauce

G Hughes Sugar Free Steak Sauce 1 Bottle 13 oz. Ingredients:

  • Tomato Puree (water, tomato paste)
  • Plum Puree
  • Cider Vinegar
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Salt
  • Onion
  • Canola Oil
  • Cracked Black Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Tamari Soy Sauce (water, soybeans, salt)
  • Spices
  • Caramel Color
  • Natural Hickory Smoke
  • Xanthan Sum
  • Sucralose

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 15 g. serving):

  • Calories – 5
  • Total Carbohydrates – 1 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 150 mg / 7%
  • Sugars – 0 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Steve’s PaleoChef Steak Sauce

Steve's PaleoGoods, PaleoChef Steak Sauce, 12 oz This steak sauce is gluten-free and paleo.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Tomato Puree (tomatoes, water)
  • Honey
  • Orange Juice
  • Olive Oil
  • Vinegar
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Anchovy
  • Sea Salt
  • Spices
  • Onion
  • Natural Hickory Liquid Smoke

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 14 g. serving):

  • Calories – 15
  • Total Carbohydrates –2 g
  • Total Fat – 1 g / 1%
  • Sodium – 75 mg / 3%
  • Sugars – 2 g
  • Protein – 0 g

The New Primal Classic Marinade & Cooking Sauce

Noble Made by The New Primal, Marinade And Cooking Sauce Classic, 12 Fl Oz Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Coconut Aminos (coconut flower blossom nectar, water, sea salt)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Pineapple Concentrate
  • Lemon Juice Concentrate
  • Dehydrated Garlic
  • Dehydrated Onion
  • White Pepper
  • Sea Salt
  • Smoked Sea Salt
  • Paprika
  • Dehydrated Ginger
  • Black Pepper

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 16 g. serving):

  • Calories – 15
  • Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 200 mg / 8%
  • Sugars – 3 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Sabatino Tartufi Truffled Steak Sauce

Sabatino Tartufi Truffle Steak Sauce, All Natural Gourmet Steak Sauce ,Infused With Black Truffles, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian, BBQ, Barbecue Sauce, 10 Ounce This steak sauce is labeled gluten-free and made from all organic ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Tomatoes
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Molasses
  • Brown Sugar
  • Water
  • Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (water, soybeans, salt, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, lactic acid)
  • Dijon Mustard (water, mustard, vinegar, salt, turmeric, spices)
  • Olive Oil
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Black Truffle
  • Spices
  • Natural Truffle Flavor

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 17 g. serving):

  • Calories – 25
  • Total Carbohydrates – 5 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 115 mg / 5%
  • Sugars – 4 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Rufu’s Teague Steak Sauce

Rufus Teague - Spicy Steak Sauce - Premium Steak Sauce - 7 oz. Bottles - 2 Pack This sauce is certified gluten-free.

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Raisin Paste
  • Sugar
  • Tamari Soy Sauce (water, soybeans, salt, sugar)
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Tomato Paste
  • Anchovy Paste (anchovies, sea salt, water)
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Spice
  • Dried onion
  • Brown Mustard
  • Salt
  • Orange Juice from Concentrate

Nutrition Facts (per 2 Tbsp / 32 g. serving):

  • Calories – 50
  • Total Carbohydrates – 11 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 360 mg / 16%
  • Sugars – 6 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Golding Farms Vidalia Onion Steak Sauce

According to the manufacturer, this sauce is gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free.

Ingredients:

  • Tomato Concentrate (water, tomato paste)
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Molasses Vinegar
  • Vidalia Onions
  • Salt
  • Dried Onion
  • Dried Garlic
  • Natural Flavors
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Caramel Color
  • Citric Acid

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp / 17 g. serving):

  • Calories – 20
  • Total Carbohydrates – 5 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 95 mg / 4%
  • Sugars – 4 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Related Questions

Is Heinz 57 vegan?

Heinz 57 Sauce does not contain any animal ingredients but might not be satisfactory for some vegans. The sauce does contain a small amount of caramel coloring, some of which is made using cane sugar. Cane sugar is bleached using animal bone char.

Is Heinz 57 kosher?

Yes, Heinz 57 Sauce has been certified kosher by the Orthodox Union.

Are there allergens in Heinz 57?

Heinz 57 Sauce contains gluten in the form of caramel color and malt vinegar, as well as soybeans.

Related Guides

Jessica Else

Jessica Else is a nutrition writer who has a passion for health and wellness. As a breast cancer survivor and a celiac, Jessica sticks to a gluten-free, nutrient-dense diet and lives an active lifestyle. Yoga, hiking and gardening are her favorite ways to stay healthy and engaged with life and she’s dedicated to helping others discover what they can do to boost wellness in their own lives.

Recent Posts