Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Steak Sauce healthy?
Steak Sauce
Longevity Score
76/100
Food Integrity Score
55/100
Limit When Possible
Mixed or weaker nutrition and ingredient signals suggest looking for better options when you can.
Quick answer
Limit When Possible
Trader Joe's steak sauce is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 76 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 55 out of 100. Moderate sugar, minimal protein, and high sodium. Strengths include whole tomato puree, natural flavors, and no saturated fat, while main considerations include high sodium content, sugar, and caramel color.
Longevity Score 76/100Food Integrity Score 55/100
What helped the score?
- Contains whole tomato puree
- Includes natural flavors
- No saturated fat
What held the score back?
- High sodium content
- Contains sugar
- Includes caramel color
Ingredients
Ingredient list
TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), ONION PUREE, SUGAR, MOLASSES, WHITE VINEGAR, HORSERADISH (HORSERADISH, VINEGAR, WATER, SALT , SOYBEAN OIL), SALT, SOYBEAN OIL, ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, ANCHOVY PASTE (SALTED ANCHOVIES, OLIVE OIL, ACETIC ACID), ROASTED GARLIC PUREE (GARLIC, WATER, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID), JALAPENO PUREE (JALAPENO PEPPERS, VINEGAR, SALT), SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), NATURAL GRILL FLAVOR, NATURAL MALT FLAVOR, ANCHO CHILI POWDER, NATURAL HICKORY SMOKE FLAVOR, GROUND MUSTARD SEED, BLACK PEPPER, CARAMEL COLOR, CLOVES, XANTHAN GUM.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 17 g (1 Tbsp)
- Calories151% DV
- Protein0g0% DV
- Total Carbs3g1% DV
- Fiber1g4% DV
- Total Fat0g0% DV
- Saturated Fat0g0% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Steak Sauce
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Condiments & Sauces (source: Ketchup, Mustard, Bbq & Cheese Sauce)
- GTIN / UPC
00000000507516- Serving size
- 17 g (1 Tbsp)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Lower net carbs (2g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Low saturated fat (0g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
GLP-1 Eating Support
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (0g)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Sweetener signals (sugar, molasses)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Modest calories per serving (15 kcal)
Athletic Fueling
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower carbs for fueling (3g)
Workout Recovery
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (0g)
Strength & Protein Focus
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (0g)
Vegetarian
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Meat/seafood ingredients (Mentions "anchovy", "anchovy". See ingredients for details.)
Vegan
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "anchovy", "anchovy". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "anchovy", "anchovy". See ingredients for details.)
Pescatarian
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Seafood ingredients (Mentions "anchovy". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Lower net carbs (2g)
Keto-Style Eating
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Very low net carbs (2g)
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "malt". See ingredients for details.)
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, molasses)
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, molasses)
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, molasses)
Mediterranean-Style Eating
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Whole-food signals (tomato puree, onion puree)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "soy". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Trader Joe's Steak Sauce highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Ultra-processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Trader Joe's Steak Sauce shows about 1g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Steak Sauce: 3g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar, molasses. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Contains whole tomato puree; Includes natural flavors; No saturated fat.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: High sodium content; Contains sugar; Includes caramel color.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same condiments & sauces differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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