A1 steak sauce was a staple in my house growing up. However, I wasn’t introduced to a high-quality and properly cooked steak until later in life. Since keto is full of delicious meat, I naturally wondered if I could still use some A1 as a condiment.
The original A1 steak sauce has 3 grams of net carbs per serving (1 Tbsp). A small amount of A1 may be incorporated into a keto diet but should be consumed very sparingly. However, other A1 variations contain more carbohydrates than the original, making them less ideal.
In this article, I’ll cover why you may or may not want to include a1 in your ketogenic diet, how many carbs are in a1 steak sauce, how to make a lower carb version, and much more.
Can I have A1 Steak Sauce On Keto?
While A1 steak sauce is relatively high in carbohydrates, that doesn’t automatically make it “forbidden” while following a ketogenic diet.
As with most foods, even the ones considered “keto-friendly,” the poison is in the dose, not the food itself. Meaning, if you eat too much of any food, you can easily prevent yourself from getting into ketosis, knock yourself out of ketosis, and/or not lose weight.
You can eat too many vegetables and kick yourself out of ketosis. It may be harder to overeat certain foods like vegetables, but not impossible.
A1 has a relatively high amount of carbohydrates compared to its serving size, which makes it less than ideal to consume while following a ketogenic diet.
Notice I said less than ideal, but not completely off-limits.
If you’re mindful of your serving sizes and fit it into your overall nutrition for the day, there’s no reason you can’t have a tablespoon or two of A1 steak sauce on keto.You must ask yourself if you can limit yourself to a small serving, and if doing so is worth it at the expense of something more filling, such as fibrous vegetables.
How Many Carbs Are In A1 Steak Sauce?
So how many carbs are in A1 steak sauce? How much A1 can you safely consume without being knocked out of ketosis?
For the original A1 steak sauce, there is 3 grams of total carbohydrates per 1 tbsp (17g) serving.
You can see how, if being mindful of your serving size, you may fit one to two tablespoons of a1 steak sauce every so often, and possibly more if you have a higher carbohydrate threshold.
With most individuals limiting carbohydrates to between 20 and 50 grams of net carbs per day, a single tablespoon of a1 steak sauce will only set you back 3g of net carbs.
People may get carried away with what exactly one tablespoon is, and one tablespoon may not be enough to satisfy your A1 craving.
But for some, having a tiny smudge to dip their steak in or add a little zing to a marinade may be worth the 3 grams of carbohydrates.
What Is A1 Steak Sauce?
A1 sauce is semi tart, kind of sweet, and a bit peppery similar to the flavor profile of Worcestershire sauce.
However, A1 steak sauce is more on the tomato’y side versus the vinegar dominance of Worcestershire sauce, and that’s because the base of A1 is tomato puree.
Other ingredients include:
- Tomato puree
- Vinegar
- Corn syrup
- Salt
- Raisin paste
- Crushed orange puree
- Dried garlic
- Caramel color
- Dried onions
- Potassium sorbate
- Xantham gum
- Celery seed
A1 is commonly used to add a little “zing” to beef dishes or some people like to add it on their vegetables for some added flavor.
There’s no right or wrong use for any condiment if you ask me. You like what you like.
Keto A1 Steak Sauce Recipe
If you’re up to the task, making your own keto friendly steak sauce is a great option. For starters, you have full control of the ingredients. Second, you save money in the long run.
Here is a recipe I like to use that is like a1.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup mustard
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (Franks or Sriracha)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 3 tbsp’s sugar equivalent in sweetener (I use Splenda or Stevia)
Oh My Steak Sauce
If you’re looking for a steak sauce recipe, I love this “Oh My Steak Sauce” that is entirely keto friendly.
Photo and recipe courtesy of The Novice Chef Blog
Keto Friendly Alternatives To A1 Steak Sauce
While not completely carb-free, these alternatives provide a lower carb alternative to A1 steak sauce.
Ways To Use A1 On Keto
Here are some common ways people love to use A1 or other alternative steak sauces to spice up their pantry.
- Dip steak
- On burgers
- With vegetables (I like it on mushrooms)
- In marinades
- Keto friendly noodles (shiritaki noodles – also great as a pho noodles on keto)
The Takeaway
A1 steak sauce may not be the most keto friendly option, but if you’re mindful of your serving size, you may fit in small amounts every so often.
Your best bet is to seek lower carb alternatives like the Oh My Steak Sauce recipe above or one of the other keto friendly alternatives on the market today.
