Calories in Every Condiment and Sauce: The Per-Tablespoon Reference (2026)

Most condiments fall between 5 and 100 calories per tablespoon: mustard and hot sauce are nearly free at 3 to 5 calories, ketchup is about 15, mayonnaise is about 90, and oils and butter top the list at 100 to 120. Vinegar, mustard, salsa, and hot sauce are the lowest. Oil-based and mayo-based condiments are the calorie-dense ones, while soy sauce and fish sauce are low in calories but high in sodium.

Condiment calories per tablespoon are driven almost entirely by fat, so oil- and mayo-based sauces are dense while vinegar, mustard, and hot sauce are nearly free. These figures are anchored to USDA FoodData Central and standard product labels. Note sodium is shown where it matters.

How Many Calories Are in Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, and Basics?

Everyday table condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise vary widely in calorie content. Mustard and ketchup are low in calories, while mayonnaise and aioli are high because they are oil-and-egg emulsions.

Condiment (1 tbsp)	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Yellow mustard	3	55
Dijon mustard	5	120
Salsa	5	95
Cocktail sauce	15	200
Ketchup	15	155
Worcestershire sauce	15	170
Sweet pickle relish	20	120
Hummus	25	55
Sour cream	30	10
Cream cheese	50	45
Tartar sauce	70	100
Mayonnaise	90	90
Aioli	95	90

Mustard is about 3 calories per tablespoon while mayonnaise is about 90, a 30-fold difference driven by fat.

How Many Calories Are in Hot Sauces and Asian Sauces?

Most hot and Asian sauces are low in calories, with thin sauces running from 0 to 35 per tablespoon and only peanut satay sauce higher at about 60, but soy sauce, fish sauce, and teriyaki carry heavy sodium. These sauces often enhance flavor without adding significant calories.

Hot or Asian sauce (1 tbsp)	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Hot sauce (Tabasco style)	0	130
Sriracha	5	100
Fish sauce	5	1,400
Chili garlic sauce	10	240
Soy sauce	10	900
Ponzu	10	690
Oyster sauce	10	490
Teriyaki sauce	15	690
Sweet chili sauce	35	130
Hoisin sauce	35	260
Peanut (satay) sauce	60	90

Soy sauce has about 10 calories but around 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon, and fish sauce about 1,400 mg, so these are sodium concerns more than calorie ones.

How Many Calories Are in BBQ and Sweet Sauces?

BBQ and sweet sauces primarily derive their calories from sugar rather than fat. As a result, honey, maple syrup, and jam cluster around 50 to 60 calories per tablespoon, while BBQ sauce is lower at about 30.

BBQ or sweet sauce (1 tbsp)	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Cranberry sauce	25	5
BBQ sauce	30	175
Balsamic glaze	30	10
Steak sauce (A1 style)	15	280
Apple butter	30	0
Chocolate syrup	50	15
Jam or jelly	50	0
Maple syrup	52	2
Marshmallow fluff	40	10
Caramel sauce	60	35
Honey	60	0

Honey (about 60), maple syrup (about 52), and jam (about 50) are sugar-driven, not fat-driven.

How Many Calories Are in Salad Dressings?

Vinaigrettes, which are oil-and-vinegar dressings, differ from creamy dressings like ranch, Caesar, and blue cheese. Creamy dressings tend to run higher in calories compared to vinaigrettes.

Salad dressing (1 tbsp)	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Balsamic vinaigrette	45	130
Italian	45	145
Light ranch	35	140
French	70	130
Honey mustard	55	110
Thousand Island	60	130
Caesar	80	160
Ranch	65	135
Blue cheese	75	165
Green goddess	65	130

A vinaigrette is about 45 calories per tablespoon while ranch is about 65 and Caesar about 80, because creamy dressings carry more oil and dairy.

How Many Calories Are in Oils, Butter, and Spreads?

Pure fats are the most calorie-dense condiments because they are nearly all oil. Oils, butter, and nut butters sit at the top at 80 to 120 calories per tablespoon.

Oil, butter, or spread (1 tbsp)	Calories	Sodium (mg)
Cooking spray (1 second)	5	0
Light mayonnaise	35	110
Pesto	80	130
Tahini	90	5
Peanut butter	95	75
Almond butter	95	0
Margarine	100	80
Butter	100	90
Ghee	115	0
Coconut oil	120	0
Olive oil	120	0
Vegetable oil	120	0

Olive oil and other oils are about 120 calories per tablespoon, and a heaped tablespoon of peanut butter or oil is easy to underestimate.

Which Condiments Have the Fewest Calories?

The lowest-calorie condiments include mustard, hot sauce, and salsa.

1. Hot sauce (Tabasco style) (1 tbsp): 0 kcal
2. Yellow mustard (1 tbsp): 3 kcal
3. Sriracha, salsa, or fish sauce (1 tbsp): 5 kcal
4. Soy sauce (1 tbsp): 10 kcal
5. Ketchup (1 tbsp): 15 kcal

Which Condiments Have the Most Calories?

The highest-calorie condiments include mayonnaise and various oils and butters.

1. Olive, coconut, or vegetable oil (1 tbsp): 120 kcal
2. Ghee (1 tbsp): 115 kcal
3. Butter or margarine (1 tbsp): 100 kcal
4. Mayonnaise, aioli, or peanut butter (1 tbsp): 90 to 95 kcal
5. Pesto and tahini (1 tbsp): 80 to 90 kcal

How to Track Condiment Calories Accurately

Condiments are easy to forget when logging a meal, yet a few tablespoons of oil, mayonnaise, or dressing can add more calories than the food they top. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies sauces and spreads from a photo, estimates the amount, and returns calories, sodium, and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million verified foods. It also supports voice logging for quick entries like "one tablespoon of olive oil." Nutrola is available from €2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see the most calorie-dense foods and every soft drink ranked by calories and sugar.

How We Calculated These Numbers

Values are per level tablespoon, which is about 15 milliliters or, for thick spreads like peanut butter and butter, roughly 14 to 16 grams. Figures are anchored to USDA FoodData Central and standard product labels, then rounded to the nearest 5 calories (or the nearest whole number for items under 5). Sodium is shown in milligrams and rounded, because for soy sauce, fish sauce, and teriyaki the sodium, not the calories, is the number that matters; the daily limit is 2,300 mg. Branded recipes vary, so light and reduced versions differ from the full-fat originals, and a heaped tablespoon of a thick sauce can hold noticeably more than a level one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the lowest-calorie condiment?

The lowest-calorie condiments are mustard, hot sauce, and salsa, which contain between 0 to 5 calories per tablespoon. These options can enhance flavor without significantly impacting caloric intake.

How many calories are in a tablespoon of mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise contains about 90 calories per tablespoon. This high calorie count is primarily due to its fat content, as it is an oil-and-egg emulsion.

How many calories are in a tablespoon of ketchup?

Ketchup contains about 15 calories per tablespoon. This relatively low calorie count makes it a popular choice for adding flavor without a significant caloric burden.

Is soy sauce high in calories?

Soy sauce is low in calories, containing about 10 calories per tablespoon. However, it is high in sodium, with approximately 900 mg per tablespoon, which is a consideration for those monitoring sodium intake.

Which salad dressing has the fewest calories?

The salad dressings with the fewest calories include light ranch and vinaigrettes, typically around 35 to 45 calories per tablespoon. These options provide flavor with fewer calories compared to creamier dressings.

Are condiments bad for weight loss?

Condiments can vary widely in their impact on weight loss. Mustard, hot sauce, and salsa are nearly free in calories, making them good choices, while oils and mayonnaise are calorie-dense. Additionally, soy and fish sauce add significant sodium, which can be a concern.

Key Takeaways

• Mustard, hot sauce, and salsa are the lowest at 0 to 5 calories per tablespoon.
• Ketchup is about 15 calories per tablespoon.
• Mayonnaise is about 90 calories per tablespoon and oils and butter range from 100 to 120 calories.
• Sweet sauces like honey and maple syrup are sugar-driven at about 50 to 60 calories.
• Soy sauce and fish sauce are low in calories but high in sodium, with about 900 and 1,400 mg per tablespoon.
• Because a heaped tablespoon holds more than a level one, logging condiments from a photo beats guessing (Nutrola can help with this).