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A thick, glossy pale pink-orange sauce sits in a small mound, with a smooth creamy surface and a few tiny darker flecks.
●Low GI

Special sauce Calories

Typically a mayonnaise- and ketchup-based creamy, mildly sweet-savory sauce

CALORIES · 100 G

430kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

110mg

FIBER · 100 G

0.6g

Quick answer

1 tablespoon (medium) of Special sauce (15 g) has 65 calories. That works out to 430 calories per 100 g. It contains 2.5 g of carbs, 0.2 g of protein, 6.1 g of fat and 0.1 g of fiber. Its 6.3 µg of Vitamin K covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Special sauce Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 15 g

65

KCAL / 15G

Carbs

2.5g

· 1% DV

Protein

0.2g

· 0% DV

Fat

6.1g

· 8% DV

Fiber

0.1g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 15% · Protein 1% · Fat 84%

Special sauce nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (15 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories65 kcal
Total fat6.1 g8%
Saturated fat0.93 g5%
Trans fat0.03 g
Sodium117 mg5%
Total carbohydrate2.5 g1%
Fiber0.1 g0%
Protein0.2 g0%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Special sauce?

ServingAmountCalories
1 tablespoon (medium)15 g65 kcal
1 teaspoon (small)5 g22 kcal
1 pack (mini)10 g43 kcal
1 serving (small)20 g86 kcal
2 tablespoon (double)30 g129 kcal
1 serving (medium)35 g151 kcal
1 serving (large)50 g215 kcal
100 g100 g430 kcal

Calculated from 430 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special sauce

What is special sauce made of?

Special sauce is usually a creamy blend of mayonnaise and ketchup, often with mustard, relish, or chopped pickles. Recipes vary by restaurant and brand, so the name does not refer to one fixed ingredient list.

How do you make special sauce at home?

Mix mayonnaise with ketchup, then add a little mustard and finely chopped pickle or relish for a homemade special sauce. Stir until smooth and chill it briefly before serving so the flavors can combine.

Is special sauce the same as Big Mac sauce?

No, not necessarily. Special sauce is a broad name for creamy condiments, while Big Mac sauce has its own familiar flavor profile and is commonly made without ketchup. Restaurant recipes and versions sold in stores can differ.

What does special sauce taste like?

Special sauce usually tastes creamy, mildly sweet, tangy, and savory. Mayonnaise gives it body, while ketchup adds sweetness; mustard or pickles can make a particular version sharper or more tangy.

What foods go well with special sauce?

Special sauce is commonly served with burgers, fries, and sandwiches. Its creamy, tangy flavor also works as a dip for fried foods, but it can overwhelm dishes with delicate flavors.

How long does special sauce last after opening?

Refrigerate packaged special sauce after opening, keep the lid tightly closed, and follow the storage directions on its label. Discard it if its smell, color, or texture changes noticeably rather than relying on taste to check it.

Can you freeze special sauce?

Freezing special sauce is not recommended. Mayonnaise-based sauces can separate or turn watery when thawed, leaving a grainy texture that is difficult to restore by stirring.

Can you cook or heat special sauce?

Special sauce is usually served cold, not cooked. Heating a mayonnaise-based sauce can cause it to split, so add it after cooking or serve it on the side instead of simmering it in a hot dish.

Why does special sauce make a burger bun soggy?

Special sauce can soften a burger bun when too much is added or when it sits against the bread for a long time. Spread on a thin layer just before serving, or toast the cut sides of the bun first.

Is special sauce the same as Thousand Island dressing?

No, they are not always the same. Both can be creamy and include ketchup or relish, but Thousand Island dressing often has a sweeter, pickle-forward profile, while special sauce recipes vary and are often tailored for burgers.

Special sauce Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin K

6.3µg · 5% DV

Vitamin E

0.32mg · 2% DV

Biotin

0.27µg · 1% DV

B12

0.02µg · 1% DV

Minerals

Sodium

117mg · 5% DV

Selenium

0.42µg · 1% DV

Phosphorus

3.6mg · 1% DV

Potassium ⭐

17mg · 1% DV

Special sauce Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0.5
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Special sauce

To burn the 65 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (15 g):

🚶

16min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

7min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

9min

Cycling

🏊

8min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Special sauce?

Special sauce is a creamy condiment, usually made with mayonnaise and ketchup, though recipes may add mustard, relish or spices. The name covers many versions rather than one fixed recipe, and it is especially familiar from burger restaurants and homemade burger recipes.

Its mild sweetness and savoury tang work well with burgers, fries and sandwiches; it is also served alongside grilled food. It is energy-dense and mostly contributes fat rather than protein, so a modest spoonful can add plenty of flavour. For a lighter meal, use it sparingly and pair it with fresh salad or vegetables.

How Nutritious Is Special sauce?

Nutrient density

Low

18/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Low

5/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Special sauce Processed?

NOVA 3

Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Special sauce Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs yes
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Special sauce Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Special sauce Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.93g

MONOUNSATURATED

1.62g

POLYUNSATURATED

1.52g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 49:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (49:1).

Compare Special sauce

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Foods Similar to Special sauce

🧴

Hawthorn Vinegar

18 kcal

🌯

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210 kcal

🌯

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195 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.