Does Sriracha Chili Sauce contain dairy or gluten?

No, Sriracha Chili Sauce is free from dairy, gluten, and major allergens. The ingredients list is plant-based.

Is Sriracha Chili Sauce good for weight loss?

While the calories are very low, the added sugar can trigger cravings. The capsaicin may offer a minor metabolic boost, but it is not a magic weight loss bullet.

Where can I buy Sriracha Chili Sauce?

Sriracha is widely available at major grocery stores, supermarkets, and online retailers like Amazon.

Is Sriracha Chili Sauce safe for kids?

It is generally safe for kids in small amounts, but the spice level and sugar content should be monitored. It does not contain caffeine.

Is Sriracha Chili Sauce Keto?

No, Sriracha Chili Sauce is generally not considered keto-friendly. While it adds a delicious spicy kick to meals, the inclusion of sugar as a primary ingredient makes it a risky choice for maintaining ketosis. In this article, we’ll break down exactly why this popular hot sauce doesn't align with strict keto macros and explore better alternatives.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the label of Sriracha Chili Sauce reveals a fairly straightforward recipe, but one ingredient stands out like a sore thumb for keto dieters. The ingredients are: chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, vinegar, potassium sorbate, sodium metabisulfite, and xanthan gum.

The primary culprit here is sugar. In the world of keto, sugar is the ultimate enemy because it is a carbohydrate that spikes blood glucose and insulin levels, effectively kicking you out of ketosis. Sriracha lists sugar right in the middle of the ingredient list, meaning it is present in a significant quantity—roughly 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon. While the chili peppers and garlic provide the signature heat and savory depth, they are overshadowed by the metabolic impact of the added sucrose.

The other ingredients are generally benign. Vinegar provides acidity and acts as a natural preservative. Xanthan gum is a common thickening agent used to give the sauce its signature viscosity; it is a polysaccharide that is often used in low-carb cooking because it has no net carbs. The preservatives potassium sorbate and sodium metabisulfite ensure shelf stability but have no impact on the diet aspect. However, the sugar content remains the deciding factor.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugar

Nutritional Value

When we analyze the nutritional profile of Sriracha, the numbers seem deceptively small at first glance. A standard serving size of one teaspoon (5g) contains approximately 5 calories, 1 gram of total carbohydrates, and 1 gram of sugar. There is zero fat and negligible protein.

While 5 calories is negligible for almost any diet, the carbohydrate density is the issue for keto. Keto macros usually limit total carbs to under 20-50 grams per day. If you are careful, you might be able to fit a teaspoon of Sriracha into your daily limit. However, the sugar is 'naked' sugar, meaning it lacks the fiber found in whole foods to blunt the insulin response. For individuals who are highly insulin resistant or strictly tracking net carbs, even these small amounts of added sugar can be enough to halt fat-burning processes. It fits the diet limits only if used in microscopic quantities, which for many, defeats the purpose of using a condiment for flavor.