Calories in BBQ sauce
Calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat per 100 g and per serving, from the USDA reference database — plus what actually changes the number on your plate.
Short answer
100 g of BBQ sauce contains 192 kcal, with 1 g of protein, 46.1 g of carbohydrate and 0.4 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 tablespoon, about 17 g — is roughly 33 kcal.
That is a moderate calorie density, in the same range as cooked grains and lean meat.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 tablespoon (17 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 192 kcal | 33 kcal |
| Protein | 1 g | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46.1 g | 7.8 g |
| Sugars | 38.4 g | 6.5 g |
| Fibre | 1.3 g | 0.2 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g | 0.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sodium | 765 mg | 130 mg |
| Potassium | 235 mg | 40 mg |
| Calcium | 11 mg | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.4 mg | 0.2 mg |
| Water | 50 g | 9 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 17 g | 33 | 0.2 g | 7.8 g | 0.1 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies BBQ sauce on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Calories by weight
Use this table when you know the weight but not the serving:
| Amount | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 g | 48 | 0.2 g | 11.5 g | 0.1 g |
| 50 g | 96 | 0.5 g | 23 g | 0.2 g |
| 100 g | 192 | 1 g | 46.1 g | 0.4 g |
| 150 g | 288 | 1.4 g | 69.1 g | 0.6 g |
| 200 g | 384 | 1.9 g | 92.2 g | 0.9 g |
| 250 g | 480 | 2.4 g | 115.2 g | 1.1 g |
| 300 g | 576 | 2.9 g | 138.2 g | 1.3 g |
Where the calories come from
Calories come from three macronutrients: protein and carbohydrate at 4 kcal per gram, fat at 9 kcal per gram. For BBQ sauce the split is:
- Protein: 1 g × 4 = 4 kcal — 2% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 46.1 g × 4 = 184 kcal — 96% of calories
- Fat: 0.4 g × 9 = 4 kcal — 2% of calories
- Most of the energy in BBQ sauce comes from carbohydrate (96% of calories).
- 38.4 g of its carbohydrate per 100 g is sugar.
- It is high in sodium: 765 mg per 100 g.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 105 g.
What actually changes the number
Barbecue sauce is around 190 kcal per 100 g, about a third of it sugar, and a tablespoon is 30 kcal. Glazed ribs or wings can carry a quarter-cup of sauce — 120 kcal that a photo reads as "shine".
How accurate are these numbers?
The values on this page are reference averages from the USDA FoodData Central database (SR Legacy release), measured on samples of BBQ sauce as sold and prepared in the United States. Your portion will differ: produce varies by variety and ripeness, meat by cut and trim, and anything cooked by the fat and water it gained or lost.
For most foods the per-100 g figure is reliable to within about 10%. The larger uncertainty is almost always the weight of what is on your plate and the cooking fat you cannot see — the two things worth checking before you worry about the database.
How accurate are AI calorie counting apps? →
Related foods
More in Oils, sauces and condiments →
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of BBQ sauce?
100 g of BBQ sauce contains 192 kcal (1 g protein, 46.1 g carbohydrate, 0.4 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of BBQ sauce?
A typical serving of BBQ sauce — 1 tablespoon, about 17 g — has roughly 33 kcal. Weigh your own portion once to see how it compares; serving sizes vary more than the food does.
How much protein is in BBQ sauce?
BBQ sauce: 1 g of protein per 100 g, which is low. Foods above about 15–20 g per 100 g, or where protein supplies a third or more of the calories, are usually considered high-protein.
What amount of BBQ sauce equals 200 kcal?
At 192 kcal per 100 g, about 105 g of BBQ sauce equals 200 kcal.
Can I track BBQ sauce by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies BBQ sauce on the plate and estimates the portion from the image. The estimate is most accurate when you confirm the weight or the count, and tell the app about anything the camera cannot see — cooking oil, butter, dressings and sauces.
Source
Nutrition data: U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central — SR Legacy, FDC ID 171827: "Sauce, barbecue, SWEET BABY RAY'S, original". Values are per 100 g of edible portion. Serving weights are USDA household measures or typical retail sizes; check the label where one exists. View the USDA record.
Wellix provides general nutrition information and is not medical advice. Nutrition values are reference averages and individual foods vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies BBQ sauce on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
