How Much Sugar Is in Salsa?
Two tablespoons of salsa have only about 1.5 g of sugar — a genuinely low-sugar condiment, since it's mostly tomatoes, onion, and pepper.
in 2 tbsp (30 g) · about 0.4 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 1.5 g
- Per 100 g
- 5 g
- Type
- Mostly natural
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 0.4 tsp
An easy fit for a low-sugar day.
Salsa is one of the few condiments that lives up to its healthy reputation: two tablespoons have only about 1.5 g of sugar (5 g per 100 g), almost all of it the natural sugar already in tomatoes and onion. A classic recipe has no added sugar at all.
That puts it in a different category from sweeter sauces like ketchup or teriyaki, which lean on added sugar for flavour. Watch only for sweetened or 'mild fruit' salsas with mango or pineapple added — those can carry noticeably more sugar than a classic tomato salsa.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Choose a classic tomato-based salsa over sweetened fruit salsas
- Use salsa in place of ketchup or a creamy dressing for flavour without added sugar
Frequently asked questions
- Is salsa a low-sugar condiment?
- Yes — a classic tomato salsa has almost no added sugar, just the natural sugar in the vegetables.
- Do all salsas have low sugar?
- No — fruit-based salsas with mango or pineapple, and some jarred 'sweet' varieties, add noticeably more sugar than a classic tomato salsa.
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Sugar values from USDA FoodData Central; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-09.