Is Sriracha Keto Friendly? (You’d Be Surprised!)


Is Sriracha Keto

Looking to add some spice to your dish? Sriracha is a thick and flavorful hot sauce that is excellent on many dishes. It’s pretty low in most nutrients and can fit into many lifestyles. But is it okay for the keto diet? Keep reading to find out!

Sriracha is keto-friendly. The Ketogenic Diet is a nutrition plan that is very high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbs. Store-bought Sriracha has no fat but is low in carbs. Sriracha often contains sugar, so it can fit into a ketogenic lifestyle if eaten in moderation. The best keto alternative to Sriracha is Cholula Hot Sauce.

Need to know more? Continue on to learn more about why Sriracha can be included in the keto diet, its ingredients, nutritional value, and alternatives!

All About Sriracha

Sriracha is a spicy sauce created from chili peppers that is pronounced “sr-aa-chuh.” It was first originated in Thailand and is named for the place where it was born, Si Racha. Huy Fong Foods, a Thai company, has been producing it since then all over the world. Surprisingly, the original sauce, which is still available in Asia, is said to be tangier and runnier than the sauce offered in the West. However, the fundamental components in both recipes are the same: chile pepper, distilled vinegar, garlic, and salt.

How is Sriracha Made?

Sriracha is manufactured in a few stages, yet it might take a year to make. Chili peppers, with their seeds, are ground up and blended with distilled vinegar to break down the sauce and preserve it. After that, the mixture is seasoned with salt and other preservatives. The sauce is then kept in barrels, which are subsequently opened and utilized for manufacturing all year round. Sugar and garlic are added immediately before bottling when a barrel is ready to be opened. Then, the mixture is bottled and ready for distribution. It is at this point that additives may be included to preserve the product.

The Keto Diet

The keto diet is a nutrition program where consumers eat a diet very high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates. This means the breakdown of the nutrition plan is about 80% fat, 15% protein, and 5% carbohydrate. Keep in mind that some keto diets vary from this percentage range, these are just estimates. Overall, though, this ratio of nutrients allows the body to go into a state of ketosis, which means it does not use stored glucose from carbohydrates for energy, but instead used fat.

The keto diet has been researched in recent years. Some studies suggest it may be beneficial for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease as well as promote weight loss. Keep in mind, though, that the keto diet does have some downfalls. It can be very hard to sustain due to the strict diet. When a keto dieter eats any amount of carbohydrates over their daily limit, it stops ketosis and reverts your body back to using glucose storing processes. Long-term studies also show poor results for weight loss maintenance.

Review of Sriracha Nutrition

Sriracha is a low-calorie food that is made with only a few ingredients. It does include sugar and some additives, however, that still leaves this condiment at 3g of carbs per serving and 1 gram of net carbs per serving. Therefore, Sriracha is okay for the keto diet and can be used as a condiment for many recipes.

Sriracha’s Health Benefits

Sriracha is a keto-friendly condiment that also packs in some beneficial condiments.  Chili pepper, the main ingredient in this sauce, is a vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Research shows it even has the potential to reduce the risk for heart disease. The key compound in chilis, capsaicin, may also help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain, based on recent studies.

Cons of Sriracha Sauce

Keep in mind, Sriracha, like many other spicy foods, can induce stomach ulcers and gastric reflux. It’s also important to note that if your taste buds are particularly sensitive, spicy foods including Sriracha can potentially harm them. They can even cause skin irritation, redness, and rashes if consumed in large amounts. Sriracha also contains ingredients such as sugar, salt, and additives that some people may not want to include in their diets.

Nutritional Content of Sriracha

Sriracha is a widely known food and it is keto-friendly. There are a few different brands and alternatives that can also fit the keto lifestyle, as well. Below we’ll go over each of these varieties and their nutritional content. We’ll also discuss exactly why Sriracha is okay for the keto diet.

Huy Fong Foods Sriracha

The list of ingredients in Huy Fong Foods Sriracha are:

  • Chile Pepper
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Garlic
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Sodium Bisulfite
  • Xanthan Gum

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):

  • Calories: 15
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 g
  • Sodium: 240 mg
  • Carbs: 3 g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 0 g

Tabasco Sriracha Sauce

The list of ingredients in Tabasco Sriracha Sauce are:

  • Red Jalapeno Pepper
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Garlic
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt)

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):

  • Calories: 5
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 g
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Carbs: 2 g
  • Sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 0 g

Alternatives to Sriracha

Tabasco Hot Sauce

Tabasco Scorpion Hot Sauce (5 Ounce) Tabasco is an American brand of hot sauce and has the unique title of “#1 Hot Sauce Asked For By Name”. It has a thinner and runnier texture than Sriracha. It also is said to have a tangier taste. One serving of Tabasco Hot Sauce is lower in calories, sodium, and carbohydrates than Sriracha. It is also sugar-free and additive-free. Bother are still keto-friendly.

The list of ingredients in Tabasco Hot Sauce are:

  • Tabasco peppers
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Salt

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):

  • Calories: 1
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 g
  • Sodium: 30 g
  • Carbs: 0 g
  • Protein: 0.1 g

Cholula Hot Sauce

Cholula Original Hot Sauce 12 fl oz Multipack, 3 count | Crafted with Mexican Peppers and Signature Spice Blend | Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Low Sodium, Sugar Free Cholula is a Mexican hot sauce that is used for many different dishes, including chicken wings, burgers, pizza, and bowls. It has a similar ingredient list to Sriracha but uses different chili peppers, which give it a tangier taste. This hot sauce is also runnier than Sriracha but can be used in place of it on any keto recipe.

The list of ingredients in Cholula Hot Sauce are:

  • Water
  • Peppers (Arbol and Piquin)
  • Salt
  • Vinegar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Spices
  • Xanthum Gum

Nutrition Facts (per 1 teaspoon):

  • Calories: 0
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 g
  • Sodium: 110 g
  • Carbs: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g

Gai Gan Thai Chili Hot Sauce

This hot sauce is another Thai condiment with a similar ingredient list to Sriracha. However, it also includes vitamin C rich bell peppers for a sweeter flavor. It is also lower in sodium than Sriracha but rings in about the same amount of carbs per serving. That being said, both are still okay for keto. Replace Sriracha with GaiGan Thai Chili Sauce in any recipe for similar flavor and spice. This sauce also offers a similar texture, so you can hardly tell the difference.

The list of ingredients in Gai Gan Thai Chili Hot Sauce are:

  • Water
  • Vinegar
  • Pure Cane Sugar
  • Garlic
  • Bell Pepper
  • Red Ripe Thai Chili

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):

  • Calories: 0
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 g
  • Sodium: 135 g
  • Carbs: 3 g
  • Protein: 0 g

Final Thoughts

Because Sriracha is a low carbohydrate food, we can conclude that it is suitable for the ketogenic diet. It is also low in calories and net carbs, which supports this conclusion even further. However, each serving does include some small amounts of sugar and additives, therefore you can skip over this condiment if that is a concern to you. Alternatives include other hot sauces from all around the world, each of which has similar ingredient and nutrient profiles. Therefore, whether you are adding Sriracha or another hot sauce listed above to your next plate, it will fit within the keto diet.

Related Questions

Is Sriracha okay for heartburn?

No, if you experience frequent heartburn or gastric reflux, it is recommended to avoid spicy foods, including Sriracha. Try going for other condiments that do not cause issues such as sweet mustards and low-fat dressings or mayonnaise.

Is Sriracha gluten-free?

Sriracha sauce is gluten-free. It doesn’t include any wheat or gluten-containing components, and it’s seldom prepared in gluten-producing factories. However, if cross-contamination is a problem for you, you should always check the label.

Is Sriracha sugar-free?

No, Sriracha is not sugar-free. However, given the modest size of each serving, each tablespoon contains just a little bit of sugar. While the small quantity of sugar added to this serving does not significantly raise the carb count, some customers may choose to avoid it if they are avoiding all added sugar in their diets.

Is Sriracha vegan?

Sriracha sauce is a vegan condiment. Therefore, there is not any animal meat or products in it. Some Asian sauces, such as fish sauce and oyster sauce, do include animal ingredients, though, so read the label carefully to be sure you’re getting the proper one.

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Kelsey Butler

Kelsey Butler is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Masters in Nutrition Sciences. She is an expert in nutrition research, recipe and menu development, dietary advice, and food sciences. Currently she is working on a culinary nutrition certification, as well as working as a nutrition researcher for a health app and starting a meal planning business. Kelsey takes a mindful approach at nutrition and values the creation of healthy relationships with all foods. She also understands the importance of providing others with information about different food that anyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary restrictions or preferences. When she's not focusing on the world of nutrition, Kelsey has a passion for cooking, enjoys the outdoors, stays active, and loves to travel.

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