Sauce, ready-to-serve, pepper, TABASCO
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
TABASCO brand pepper sauce is a globally recognized, thin, vinegar-based condiment made from aged red tabasco peppers, salt, and distilled vinegar. It delivers a sharp, pungent heat with a distinctive tangy, acidic kick that cuts through rich or fatty flavors. Nutritionally, it is extremely low in calories (12 kcal/100g) and contributes negligible macronutrients, making it a virtually calorie-free way to add intense flavor.
Calorie split: 34% protein · 21% carbs · 45% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love TABASCO for its iconic, sharp heat and tangy vinegar punch that instantly elevates dishes like eggs, soups, and Bloody Marys. Its cultural status as a classic American hot sauce, with a history dating back to 1868, makes it a staple on tables worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The intense vinegar acidity and capsaicin heat can irritate sensitive stomachs, acid reflux, or ulcers. To counteract, dilute the sauce in a broth or creamy base, or pair it with starchy foods like rice or bread to buffer the acidity and heat.
Key benefits
- Virtually calorie-free flavor enhancer
- Contains capsaicin, a compound from chili peppers
- Adds heat without added sugar or fat
- Long shelf life due to vinegar preservation
- Versatile across many cuisines and dishes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
TABASCO sauce is aged for up to three years in white oak barrels, a process that develops its unique flavor profile and reduces the raw pepper's harshness.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 95.2 g |
| Energy | 12.0 kcal |
| Energy | 50.0 kj |
| Protein | 1.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.76 g |
| Ash | 2.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.80 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.60 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.13 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 12.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 23.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 128 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 633 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.16 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 0.18 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.15 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 82.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 919 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 62.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 68.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1640 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 10.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.11 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.40 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.40 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.02 g |
| Threonine | 0.05 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.04 g |
| Leucine | 0.07 g |
| Lysine | 0.06 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.04 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.03 g |
| Valine | 0.06 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.05 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.18 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.17 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.06 g |
| Serine | 0.05 g |
FAQ
Is TABASCO sauce high in sodium?
Yes, it contains about 35mg of sodium per teaspoon (5g), so while a small amount is low, frequent use can contribute significantly to daily sodium intake.
Can TABASCO sauce help with metabolism?
Capsaicin, the active compound, may temporarily boost metabolism and reduce appetite, but the effect is modest and not a substitute for a balanced diet.
Is TABASCO sauce gluten-free?
Yes, the original TABASCO pepper sauce is made from peppers, vinegar, and salt, with no gluten-containing ingredients, and is certified gluten-free.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.12 kcal/g · 43% calories from protein · 0.6 g fiber · 0.1 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.95 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.