Is Fish Sauce Keto?

Do you want to try some fish sauce but not whether in doing so, you risk being thrown out of ketosis? Well, this is all that you need to know about this fermented condiment and whether it really is keto-friendly.

So, is fish sauce keto? Fish sauce is generally a keto-friendly option with the average serving having between 0-1 grams of net carbohydrates. That being said, some brands or recipes of fish sauce may include added sugars as an ingredient, so you do have to be careful and mindful when and where you consume this sauce.

Fish sauce is generally a great option; besides, you are not going to find many sauces as versatile, flavorsome, and with such a low carb count as this.

Nevertheless, let us now discuss how you can enjoy fish sauce in your keto diet, some of the best brands to get, and some quick keto-friendly dish ideas for inspiration, should you decide you want to get some!

Can You Have Fish Sauce On Keto?

You can have most brands and recipes of fish sauce on keto. That being said, you do need to be careful when eating out or with particular brands as some are known to contain a significantly higher carbohydrate count than others.

For the most part, however, this is quite a low-carb sauce.

The average recipe only calls for minimal ingredients, as we can see in the ever-popular Red Boat fish sauce.

Anchovies, sea salt.

That’s right.

Two ingredients.

Fish and salt.

So as you can imagine, the carbohydrate content is minimal!

Here is what you can find on the back of the Red Boat bottle:

Name	Total
Calories	15
Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	0g
– of which sugars	0g
Protein	4g
Fiber	0g
Sodium	1490mg

So this is a particular sauce you can consume pretty liberally.

You get a decent amount of protein too, might I add.

But there is a lot of sodium, just be mindful there.

But back to your Keto macronutrients, though a little goes a long way, this particular condiment is really not going to pose much of a risk.

It’s what you put it on, for the most part.

But not so fast.

There is a caveat.

Not all fish sauces are like this.

Let’s take another popular brand on the market – Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce.

Here are the ingredients for it:

Anchovy (Fish), Sea Salt, Water & Sugar.

And the resulting nutritional content:

Name	Total
Calories	10
Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	1g
– of which sugars	1g
Protein	2g
Fiber	0g
Sodium	1480mg

Sugar as an ingredient.

Not ideal.

Making this particular fish sauce more challenging. You would need to eat it in moderation. You would need to be much more careful.

And that’s the thing.

Some restaurants will add sugar to their recipe too.

And in restaurants, it’s just thrown in.

It’s a lot less precise.

The moral of the story.

Either seek out a particular brand, check the ingredient and nutrition labels closely, or ask how the fish sauce has been made.

Otherwise, consume in moderation – to be safe!

What Are The Best Keto-Friendly Fish Sauce Brands

The best keto-friendly brands of Fish sauce include Red Boat, Squid Brand Fish Sauce, and Suchi.

All of which are available for purchase on Amazon.

In fact, can buy Red Boat a lot more easily than some of those other brands mentioned there.

It’s available in the major grocery store chains, such as Walmart, for instance,.

And in all honesty, you really won’t go wrong with the Red Boat brand.

That’s what I’d recommend.

Minimal ingredients.

Fair price.

Readily available.

Other than that you could always try Squid or Suchi brand, or look for others.

Just check the nutrition labels. Many brands squeeze in sugar as a final ingredient so be vigilant.

And while a fish sauce with added sugar is not the end of the world (you can still consume it), it just makes the whole process a little more challenging.

It’s best avoided.

Keto Fish Sauce Recipe Ideas

Naturally, you’ll want to know how you can even incorporate fish sauce into your ketogenic diet. Well, the following are some of the best ways to do so.

Remember, a little goes a long way.

You don’t need much – a few drops should suffice!

With Meats

Due to the high sodium content of fish sauce, it pairs particularly well with meat.

Beef in particular is an excellent pairing.

Just rub the fish sauce into the beef prior to cooking.

It’s also great for braising too.

Soups or Broths

If you enjoy a low-carb soup or are into your chicken broth, try adding a splash or two of fish sauce for a more intense flavor.

Stir-Fries

Particularly those that are a dark-green leafy vegetable rich; such as kale and spinach.

Dipping Sauce

Get yourself, or prepare some keto tortilla chips and try dipping them into a small bowl of fish sauce.

It’s unbelievable, trust me.

A great snack.

Salad Dressing

If you love a good salad, you can even drizzle fish sauce over the top as a dressing.

Add in some chicken breast and you’ve got another great combination!

Finally

For the most part, fish sauce is one of the best keto-friendly options out there.

But just like with many foods and condiments; there are always those to watch out for and be careful with.

Some can be quite sugar-loaded.

And if they are you either need to forgo altogether or work it into your carbohydrate allowance.

So my advice; stick to those brands where anchovies and salt are the only ingredients.

You can’t go wrong, that way.

Related Questions

Wondering what other sauces you can have while on keto? Check out my following guides to find out!