Hot sauce is a 3-billion-dollar industry. You read that correctly 3 billion. People love to add heat and spice to every dish from ramen to tacos. We can’t discuss hot sauces without also discussing where they land on the Scoville Scale of SHU. The number of SHUs that a hot sauce is rated at determines the heat it delivers to your taste buds. Finding a good gluten free hot sauce that also delivers the desired spiciness is what we are here to find out!
Most hot sauces are naturally gluten free, as they contain a mixture of chili peppers, vinegar, and spices. However, if a hot sauce includes certain rice vinegars, soy sauces, or malt vinegars they are typically not gluten free. The best gluten free hot sauces are Frank’s Red Hot, Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce, and Cholula Hot Sauce (Original).
In this article, we will discuss some of the best verified gluten free hot sauces. We will also do a deep dive into if Tabasco Hot Sauce is gluten free. Let’s find out which gluten free hot sauce is the best nutritionally and by SHU. The heat is on!
Scoville Scale and Hot Sauces
Wilbur Scoville wanted a way to measure the heat coming off not just individual chilis but hot sauces made with those chilis as well. The heat unit chosen is call a SHU. For perspective a sweet bell pepper would range as a 0 on the SHU scale or 0 SHU. The infamous Carolina Reaper rates at 2 million SHU. With such a significant range it can be paramount to choose the right heat for your comfort level.
Listed here are the hot sauces we will cover and their Scoville Scale Ratings (SHU):
- Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce – 450 SHU
- Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce- 180,000 SHU
- Cholula Hot Sauce – 3,600 SHU
- Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Pepper Sauce- 128,450 SHU
- Tabasco Hot Sauce – 2,500 SHU
Popular Hot Sauces
Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce
Here is a list of ingredients for Frank’s Red-Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce:
- Aged Cayenne Red Peppers
- Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic Powder
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 5
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 5 calories per teaspoon of Frank’s Red-Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. Franks’ website proudly states that they do not list ingredients in vague language. This deters any question of allergens that may be included. What you see on the ingredients is what you get. With a low Scoville of 450 SHU this heat would be considered mild to most hot sauce advocates.
Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce
Here is the ingredient list for Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce:
- Hot peppers
- tomato paste
- hot pepper extract
- salt
- cane vinegar
- onions
- xanthan gum
- garlic
- citric acid
- spices
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 5
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 5 calories per teaspoon of Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce. On the label for this hot sauce, it states that it contains “no known allergens”. Sold under the brand of Dave’s Gourmet, this Insanity Hot sauce has a Scoville of 180,000 SHU.
Cholula Hot Sauce
The ingredients for Cholula Hot Sauce (original):
- Water
- Piquin Pepper
- Arbol Pepper
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Garlic Powder
- Spices
- Xanthan Gum
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories per teaspoon of Cholula Hot Sauce (original). Cholula Hot Sauce (original) is gluten free, low sodium, vegan, sugar free, and kosher. Coming in with a 3,600 SHU Cholula is a medium heated hot sauce that tastes great on rice and eggs.
Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Pepper Sauce
The ingredients in Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Pepper Sauce are:
- Habanero pepper mash
- Water
- Carrots
- Naga Jolokia pepper
- Onions
- lime juice
- garlic
- salt
- vinegar
- citric acid
- xanthan gum
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories per teaspoon of Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Pepper Sauce. This sauce is kosher but not gluten free. The initial ingredients do not include gluten. However, this hot sauce is made in a facility that also processes tree nuts (coconut), egg, soybeans, wheat, milk. With the addition of the crazy Naga Jolokia Pepper Melinda’s kicks a mighty punch at 128,450 SHU.
Which Hot Sauces are definitely gluten free?
Of the popular brands listed above the following are gluten free.
- Frank’s Red-Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce
- Cholula Hot Sauce (original)
Is Tabasco Gluten Free?
Tabasco is a favorite in the Southern United States as a spicy condiment. While only just below Cholula in heat, tabasco rates at 2,500 SHU.
Proudly proclaimed on the Tabasco website the company states that “the entire family of Tabasco flavors are gluten-free”. Yes, Tabasco is gluten free. Tabasco may have not paid for the official gluten free certified stamp from the FDA. But they do follow CAA (Codex Alimentarius Commission) standards which are similar. This means that all nine of Tabasco’s family of flavors are gluten free. Read on for nutrition info for each tabasco flavor.
Tabasco Original Red Sauce
Tabasco is made in a factory in Louisiana, USA. But it is sold in 195 countries worldwide.
The ingredients for Tabasco Original Red Sauce are:
- Chili peppers
- Salt
- Vinegar
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Original Red Sauce.
With only three simple ingredients Tabasco’s Original Red Sauce is a healthy and pure choice when it comes to a hot sauce choice.
Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce
The Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce is a milder choice than the original with a rating of 650 SHU’s.
The ingredients for Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce are:
- Distilled Vinegar
- Jalapeño Pepper
- Water
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Xanthan Gum
- Ascorbic Acid
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce.
Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce
Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce uses red jalapenos that are smoked over pecan wood. The Scoville rating is 1700 SHU for Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce.
The ingredients for Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce are:
- Chipotle Pepper
- Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Sugar
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Spices
- Red pepper
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce.
Tabasco Cayenne Garlic Sauce
This Tabasco hot sauce is loaded with garlic and notes of smoked oak wood. Hitting a Scoville of 1400 it is spicier than the Original Tabasco Sauce.
The ingredients for Tabasco Cayenne Garlic Sauce are:
- Whole Grain Wheat
- Red Pepper
- Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Cayenne Garlic Sauce.
Tabasco Habanero Pepper Sauce
Using the sweet Caribbean heat of the Habanero Pepper the Tabasco Habanero Pepper Sauce lands at hot-hot heat of 6,800 SHU’s.
The ingredients for Tabasco Habanero Pepper Sauce are:
- Distilled Vinegar
- Habanero Pepper
- Cane Sugar
- Salt
- Mango Purée
- Dehydrated Onion
- Banana Purée
- Tomato Paste
- Tamarind Purée
- Papaya Purée
- Spices
- Garlic
- Dried Red Pepper
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 1g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Habanero Pepper Sauce. With a longer ingredient list than some of its hot sauce predecessors the Tabasco Habanero Pepper Sauce still only has one carb and nothing artificial added.
Tabasco Scorpion Sauce
This Tabasco Scorpion Sauce is the hottest sauce in the Tabasco Brand Family. Coming in HOT with 28,000 SHU’s this sauce delivers a hefty fire-out-the-ears reaction.
The ingredients for Tabasco Scorpion Sauce are:
- Scorpion Peppers
- Distilled Vinegar
- Sugar
- Guava Puree
- Pineapple
- Salt
- Guava Powder
- Pineapple Powder
- Red Pepper
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Scorpion Sauce.
With the use of Scorpion Peppers in the recipe for Tabasco Scorpion Sauce this is one truly hot sauce.
Tabasco Sriracha Sauce
The Tabasco Sriracha Sauce has a thicker smoother consistency than the other Tabasco sauces. Mixes great with mayo or cream for an excellent taco topping. The mild heat with 2,000 Shu’s makes this delicate heat to add a little kick to your meals.
The ingredients for Tabasco Sriracha Sauce are:
- Red Jalapeño Pepper
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Garlic
- Distilled Vinegar
- Xanthan Gum
- Red Pepper
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 5
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 2g
- Protein 0g
- Sugars 1g
There are 5 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Sriracha Sauce.
Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce
If you prefer a sweet and tangy spice to your hot sauces then this Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce could be just your gluten free ticket. Feel free to lather this sauce all over your food. The heat is the mildest of Tabasco’s hot sauces with a low Scoville of 150.
The ingredients for Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce are:
- Red Pepper
- Sugar
- Distilled Vinegar
- Pear Concentrate
- Garlic
- Water
- Onion
- Red Pepper
- Ginger
- Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Spices
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 15
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 4g
- Protein 0g
- Sugars 3g
There are 15 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce. In order to deliver a sweeter taste to their spice the sugar content is substantial compared to the other Tabasco Brand Flavor which have 0 sugars added.
Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce
Made with coating chicken wings, breaded tofu, or fried broccoli in mind this sauce is tangy but relatively mild. Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce’s heat index is 300 Shu’s.
The ingredients for Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce are:
- Red Cayenne Pepper
- Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic
Nutrition summary:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 0g
- Protein 0g
There are 0 calories in one teaspoon of Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce.
Final Thoughts
Not all hot sauces are gluten free. Make sure to read the label. Even when an ingredient list does not include a gluten item, the listed allergens may include wheat or non-gluten free oats.
The best options for gluten free hot sauces than are verified are: Frank’s Red-Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce, Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce, Cholula Hot Sauce (original), and all nine of the Tabasco Brand Family of Flavors.
We hope you find the right spice for your liking while also keeping it gluten friendly.
Related Questions
Is hot sauce Keto?
Yes, if the hot sauce as not additional sugars and is low in carbs then it will fit a Keto Diet. Our top choices are: Tabasco Original, Cholula, or Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce.
Is Tabasco the hottest hot sauce?
Tabasco Original is spicier than Sriracha. However, the Scorpion Tabasco Sauce has 28,000 SHU’s and is their spiciest version of hot sauce. But Tabasco is not the hottest hot sauce around. If you are looking for the hottest gluten free option look no further than Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce with 180,000 SHU or Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Pepper Sauce with 128,450 SHU.
Is yellow mustard gluten free?
Here is a link to our article on this very subject: Is yellow mustard gluten-free?