How Many Calories Are in Char Siu Sauce?

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition labels for major brands like Lee Kum Kee, a single tablespoon of char siu sauce contains approximately 50 calories. Understanding how many calories are in char siu sauce is crucial for anyone monitoring their dietary intake, as the amount can vary based on brand, recipe, and portion size.

Quick Summary

Char siu sauce calorie counts vary, but most range from 25 to 50 calories per tablespoon, deriving mainly from sugar and carbohydrates. Both commercial and homemade varieties can be high in both sugar and sodium.

Key Points

Typical Calorie Count: Bottled char siu sauce typically contains 25 to 50 calories per tablespoon, with popular brands like Lee Kum Kee averaging around 50 kcal.
High in Sugar and Sodium: The majority of calories come from sugar and honey, and the sauce is also notoriously high in sodium due to ingredients like soy sauce.
Control Over Ingredients: Homemade char siu sauce allows for greater control over calorie and sodium content, enabling you to use healthier sweeteners or low-sodium soy sauce.
Mindful Portions: Serving size is critical, as a larger portion can quickly increase the total calorie count of a meal, especially when used for marinating or glazing.
Healthy Alternatives: Reduce calories by using sugar substitutes, low-sodium soy sauce, or by incorporating more calorie-free flavorings like garlic and ginger.

What are the Typical Calories in Char Siu Sauce?

The calorie content of char siu sauce is not fixed and varies significantly depending on whether it is a mass-produced, bottled product or a homemade recipe. Commercial sauces tend to be highly concentrated and packed with sugars for flavor and preservation. A popular brand like Lee Kum Kee lists its char siu sauce at about 50 calories per tablespoon (21g). Another brand, Stick & Tine, has a lower count at 25 calories per tablespoon. The discrepancy highlights the importance of checking the nutritional label for the specific product you are using. The bulk of these calories come from the sauce's high carbohydrate content, particularly from added sugars and honey.

How Ingredients Influence Calorie Count

The primary ingredients of char siu sauce heavily influence its caloric profile. Key components include:

Sugar and Honey: These sweeteners are the main contributors to the sauce's high calorie and carbohydrate content. Honey, often used for its flavor and glossy finish, also adds a significant amount of sugar.
Fermented Soybean Paste and Soy Sauce: While soy sauce provides minimal calories, the overall sodium content is very high, which is an important health consideration.
Modified Corn Starch: Used as a thickener, modified corn starch also adds carbohydrates and, consequently, calories.
Fats: Some recipes may include sesame oil or other oils, which add a small amount of fat and a rich flavor.

Bottled vs. Homemade Char Siu Sauce

Creating your own char siu sauce at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing for healthier modifications. Bottled sauces offer convenience but often come with more sodium and sugar.

Char Siu Sauce Calorie Comparison


Feature	Popular Bottled Sauce (e.g., Lee Kum Kee)	Homemade Recipe (e.g., Rasa Malaysia)
Calories (per tbsp)	~50 kcal	Varies, potentially lower if modified
Sugar (per tbsp)	~13g	Can be significantly reduced with alternatives
Sodium (per tbsp)	High	Can be controlled using low-sodium soy sauce
Ingredients	Pre-determined, often includes high-fructose corn syrup	Customizable, uses whole ingredients like honey, soy sauce, hoisin
Control	None	Full control over sugar, sodium, and flavor

Nutritional Breakdown of Char Siu Sauce

Beyond calories, it's important to understand the full nutritional composition of char siu sauce. A typical breakdown per tablespoon is heavily skewed toward carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates: The primary macronutrient, contributing most of the calories. This includes both natural and added sugars from honey and sugar.
Fat: Usually very low, often less than 1 gram per serving.
Protein: Minimal, often less than a gram per serving.
Sodium: A major concern, with many commercial sauces containing a very high percentage of the daily recommended intake. This is due to soy sauce and other salty ingredients.

Tips for a Healthier Char Siu Sauce

For those watching their calorie or sodium intake, several strategies can make char siu sauce a healthier option:

Reduce Sugar: Instead of the full amount of honey or sugar, use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. This can drastically cut calories without sacrificing sweetness.
Use Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Swapping regular soy sauce for a low-sodium version can significantly decrease the total sodium content of the sauce.
Control Portion Size: Be mindful of how much sauce you use. Instead of basting heavily, use a small amount for a glaze or as a dipping sauce to limit intake.
Add Flavor Without Calories: Enhance the flavor with more garlic, ginger, or Chinese five-spice powder rather than relying on more sweeteners. You can also add a small amount of water to thin the sauce without increasing calories.

The Importance of Serving Size

While a tablespoon of char siu sauce may seem low in calories, it's easy to use more than one serving, especially when marinating or glazing. A recipe for char siu pork might call for half a cup or more of sauce, distributing the calories over the final dish. A larger portion of sauce, for instance, a quarter cup (4 tablespoons), would contain approximately 200 calories just from the sauce alone. Being mindful of serving size is key to keeping total meal calories in check.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of calories in char siu sauce can range from 25 to 50 kcal per tablespoon, with the final value depending heavily on the brand or recipe used. The high sugar content is the primary source of these calories, and the sauce is also notably high in sodium. While convenient, bottled versions are less flexible. For a healthier alternative, making a homemade sauce allows for greater control over sugar and sodium levels. By managing serving sizes and using mindful ingredients, you can enjoy the classic flavor of char siu sauce without overindulging in calories or sodium. For a guide on making your own version, check out this Homemade Char Siu Sauce recipe from Rasa Malaysia.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, calorie counts for char siu sauce vary significantly by brand and recipe. Commercial brands like Lee Kum Kee are typically around 50 calories per tablespoon, while other versions can be lower. Homemade sauce calories depend on the specific ingredients used.

The primary caloric contributors in char siu sauce are sugar and honey. Other ingredients like fermented soybean paste, modified corn starch, and hoisin sauce also contribute to the total carbohydrate content.

Homemade sauce can be a healthier option because it gives you control over the amount and type of sugar and salt used. Bottled sauces often contain more sugar, sodium, and sometimes high-fructose corn syrup.

Yes, you can substitute traditional sugars and honey with low-calorie sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit. This can drastically reduce the calorie count while maintaining a sweet flavor profile.

Yes, char siu sauce is typically high in carbohydrates, with the majority of the content being sugars. A single tablespoon can contain around 13 grams of carbs, nearly all from sugar.

Char siu sauce is generally very high in sodium. The high salt content from ingredients like soy sauce and fermented soybean paste can make it a major contributor to your daily sodium intake.

To reduce calories, use sugar substitutes, incorporate low-sodium soy sauce, and add more spices like garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder to enhance flavor naturally. You can also dilute the sauce with a bit of water.

Char siu sauce typically has a very low fat content, often less than 1 gram per tablespoon. Any fat present usually comes from trace amounts in ingredients like sesame oil.