Does Sauer’s original barbecue sauce contain dairy or gluten?

No, the ingredients list does not contain dairy (milk, cheese, whey) or gluten (wheat, barley, rye). It is safe for those with lactose intolerance or celiac disease.

Is Sauer’s original barbecue sauce good for weight loss?

It is low in calories, but the high sugar content can spike insulin. Use it sparingly if you are trying to lose weight.

Where can I buy Sauer’s original barbecue sauce?

Sauer’s is a historic brand and is widely available at major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and on Amazon.

Is Sauer’s original barbecue sauce safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for kids. It does not contain caffeine or spicy heat levels that are dangerous for children, though the sugar content should be monitored.

Is Sauer’s original barbecue sauce Vegan?

The short answer is MAYBE. Sauer’s original barbecue sauce does not contain obvious animal products like meat, dairy, or eggs. However, strict vegans often flag the sugar content because it may be processed with bone char. If you follow a strict plant-based diet, you might want to look for a certified vegan alternative.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at ingredients through a specific lens: sourcing and processing. When we analyze Sauer’s original barbecue sauce, the list looks surprisingly clean compared to many other commercial brands. The base consists of distilled and cider vinegar, water, and tomato paste. These are unequivocally plant-based and form the acidic, tangy foundation of the sauce.

The sweeteners listed are brown sugar and white sugar. This is where the investigation gets interesting for the vegan community. While sugar itself is a plant product (sugarcane), the processing method in the United States often involves filtering the sugar through bone char (charred animal bones) to achieve that pure white color or light brown hue. Because Sauer’s does not specify 'organic' or 'unrefined' sugar, strict vegans usually flag this ingredient.

Looking at the flavor enhancers, we see mustard, spices, paprika, oleoresin paprika, onion, and garlic. All of these are plant-derived. The preservative sodium benzoate and the thickener xanthan gum are synthetic or microbial products, making them vegan-friendly. There are no hidden animal derivatives like Worcestershire sauce (which often contains anchovies) or liquid smoke derived from meat processing.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugar

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Sauer’s original barbecue sauce is relatively low in calories, with a standard serving containing roughly 15 to 20 calories. The primary macronutrient is carbohydrates, derived almost entirely from the brown sugar and white sugar. There is negligible fat and zero protein.

The sugar content is the main concern for health-conscious consumers. A single serving can contain 4 to 5 grams of sugar. While this fits within standard diet limits, it is a concentrated source of added sugar. For those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet, this sauce is not ideal. However, for the average person looking for a flavorful condiment without added high-fructose corn syrup (which this sauce avoids), it is a reasonable choice in moderation.