Everything tastes better with a dash of ketchup, mayo, or mustard, but the sodium content in condiments can be high if you’re living a low sodium lifestyle. Here are the best low sodium condiments you buy or make.
When you’re living a low sodium lifestyle, you learn to monitor the sodium content in everything you eat, and it’s easy to let some foods, especially foods that aren’t part of your main dish, slip through the cracks. Condiments are some of those foods. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or eating out, it’s common to research the sodium content in the foods you’re eating, and it’s essential to include the sodium in the condiments you add to your food. Ketchup, mayo, and mustard all contain sodium, and you might be surprised at how much. Buying or making low sodium condiments can make enjoying your favorites, like burgers and fries, possible and better for your health.
The Best Low Sodium Condiments
Ketchup
The average store-bought ketchup contains more than 150 mg of sodium in just one tablespoon. If you like to slather your french fries in ketchup as much as I do, you know one tablespoon just won’t cut it! As much as we love ketchup in our house, it’s not worth the sodium investment, so we rely on our grocery store’s no-salt-added ketchup varieties. Here are a couple of low sodium options.
Mrs. Taste Zero Sodium Ketchup
Sodium: 0 mg
Heinz No Salt Added Tomato Ketchup
Sodium: 5 mg per tablespoon
Mayonnaise
On average, one tablespoon of standard mayonnaise contains 100 mg of sodium. Even if you’re not eating much more than that, less sodium is always better. Mrs. Taste offers a no-sodium mayo, and Kraft makes a version of Miracle Whip with 50% Less Sodium & Cholesterol, which contains about 50 mg of sodium per tablespoon. Remember that products labeled reduced or less sodium can still contain a lot of sodium, just less than the original product. (link to what low so labels really mean)
Mrs. Taste Zero Sodium Mayonnaise
Sodium: 0 mg
Kraft Miracle Whip 50% Less Sodium & Cholesterol Dressing
Sodium: 50 mg per tablespoon
Mustard
One tablespoon of yellow mustard can contain about 150 mg of sodium and a tablespoon of dijon mustard 327 mg. Luckily, there are several low and no-sodium mustards available.
Boar’s Head 54% Lower Sodium Yellow Mustard
Sodium: 25 mg per tablespoon
Westbrae Natural No Salt Added Stoneground Mustard
Sodium: 0 mg
Mrs. Taste Zero Sodium Mustard
Sodium: 0 mg
Marinades
Marinades are another item you might not consider for sodium content. Both of these are sodium free!
Sodium: 0 mg
Hacking Salt’s Tequila Lime Marinade
Sodium: 3.3 mg per serving
Low Sodium Condiments FAQs
Can I make my condiments?
Yes! You can make your condiments from scratch. If you have the time and energy and can do so, making them yourself is an option. All it takes is a few ingredients and a little time. You can find recipes for homemade low sodium mayo, ketchup, and mustard linked here.
How do homemade low sodium condiments differ from store bought?
Homemade condiments will be significantly lower in sodium than the reduced sodium store-bought versions. Since they don’t contain the preservatives and sodium added to extend their shelf life, your homemade versions won’t last as long as the commercially-produced versions. Check each recipe to determine how long each will last in your fridge.
Have questions about low sodium condiments or suggestions for new products to add to the list?
Let me know by leaving a comment below. Share a picture of this recipe on Facebook or Instagram with #SaltSanity. Watch the web story here.
Miracle Whip is not mayonnaise.
Thanks, Beverly. I’m aware. Some people do use mayo and Miracle Whip interchangeably, which is why I included it.
Thanks so much for including the Miracle Whip on the list. My sandwiches has been so bland since placed on this sodium restriction!
Yes, some people use miracle whip instead of mayonnaise.
Now where to purchase low/no salt items mentioned??
Hi James, if you click on each product mentioned it links to sites where you can find or purchase these products.
James, depending on where you live Kroger and Walmart have a pretty good selection of low sodium or no sodium snacks, sauces and soups. Check out their website to see what’s available in your area. Search “low sodium”
I recently found a 50% less sugar and sodium BBQ sauce from Kroger. Still has 200mg of sodium in a 2tsp serving, but happy to have an option to use on occasion.
I make my own BBQ sauce with zero sodium. It’s easy and it tastes great. Use this recipe and leave out the Worcestershire sauce. https://www.sodiumoptional.com/barbecue-sauce/#tasty-recipes-5032-jump-target
Dollar General stores have a mayo with 70 mg of sodium per tablespoon. Not the lowest ever but it’s a good option for me.