Ketchup vs BBQ Sauce: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Ketchup contains 117 calories and 1.1 g of protein, while BBQ sauce has 172 calories and 0.7 g of protein. Ketchup is lower in calories and higher in protein.

Ketchup and BBQ sauce are popular condiments with different flavor profiles and nutritional content. Understanding their differences can help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Ketchup and BBQ Sauce?

Ketchup is a thick sauce made primarily from tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar, often used as a condiment. It is known for its sweet and tangy flavor. BBQ sauce is a sauce used as a marinade or condiment, typically made from tomatoes, vinegar, and various spices. It is characterized by its smoky and sweet flavor.

Ketchup vs BBQ Sauce: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of ketchup and BBQ sauce, highlighting their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Ketchup	Barbecue sauce
Calories	117 kcal	172 kcal
Protein	1.1 g	0.7 g
Carbs	26.8 g	40.8 g
Sugar	22.8 g	32.3 g
Fat	0.6 g	0.6 g
Fiber	0.3 g	0.4 g
Sodium	949 mg	1242 mg

Which Is Better, Ketchup or BBQ Sauce?

For weight loss: Ketchup has 117 calories per 100 g, while BBQ sauce has 172 calories. Choosing ketchup may be more beneficial for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Ketchup contains 1.1 g of protein per 100 g, whereas BBQ sauce has 0.7 g. Ketchup is the better option for protein content.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Ketchup has 26.8 g of carbs and 22.8 g of sugar per 100 g, while BBQ sauce contains 40.8 g of carbs and 32.3 g of sugar. Ketchup is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Ketchup and BBQ sauce Accurately

Serving sizes can vary greatly, making it easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a nutritionist for personalized guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Ketchup has 1.1 g of protein per 100 g, while BBQ sauce has 0.7 g. Therefore, ketchup has more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Ketchup contains 117 calories per 100 g, while BBQ sauce has 172 calories. Ketchup has fewer calories.

What is the sugar content in BBQ sauce?

BBQ sauce contains 32.3 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much sodium is in ketchup?

Ketchup has 949 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in BBQ sauce?

BBQ sauce contains 0.4 g of fiber per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in ketchup?

Ketchup has 26.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Ketchup has 117 calories per 100 g.
• BBQ sauce has 172 calories per 100 g.
• Ketchup contains 1.1 g of protein per 100 g.
• BBQ sauce contains 0.7 g of protein per 100 g.
• Ketchup has 22.8 g of sugar per 100 g.
• BBQ sauce has 32.3 g of sugar per 100 g.