Whether you’re watching your weight or just curious about the calorie content of your favorite burger, it’s helpful to know how many calories are in a ButterBurger with cheese from Culver’s. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie count so you can make an informed choice next time you visit Culver’s.
A Quick Overview of ButterBurgers
For those unfamiliar, ButterBurgers are a signature menu item at Culver’s restaurants. They feature a lightly buttered and toasted bun, two fresh beef patties, cheese, and classic burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.
Culver’s ButterBurgers are known for their juicy beef patties, which have a lightly seasoned flavor. The lightly buttered and toasted bun also provides a nice contrast to the savory beef. Adding cheese like American, cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or blue cheese kicks up the flavor even more.
Calories in a Single ButterBurger with Cheese
Many factors determine the total calorie count, including patty size, type of cheese, and any additional toppings or condiments. Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories in a standard ButterBurger with cheese from Culver’s:
Calories in a Single Beef Patty
A single ButterBurger patty at Culver’s contains approximately 275 calories. The patties are lightly seasoned 100% fresh beef cooked medium or well done on a flat top grill.
Calories in Burger Bun
The lightly buttered and toasted bun contributes around 210 calories to the total ButterBurger count.
Calories in Cheese
A single slice of cheese will add about 50-80 calories depending on the type:
- American cheese: 70 calories
- Cheddar cheese: 80 calories
- Swiss cheese: 80 calories
- Pepper Jack cheese: 50 calories
- Blue cheese: 60 calories
Calories in Standard Toppings
The typical burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard add around 60 calories total.
Total Calories in a ButterBurger with Cheese
Adding up the calories for each component, a standard single ButterBurger with cheese from Culver’s contains approximately:
| Component | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 Beef Patty | 275 |
| 1 Bun | 210 |
| 1 Slice Cheese | 70 |
| Standard Toppings | 60 |
| Total Calories | 615 |
So a single ButterBurger with cheese from Culver’s contains about 615 calories. This number can vary slightly depending on the patty size and toppings, but this gives a good general estimate.
How the ButterBurger Calories Fit into a 2,000 Calorie Diet
To put the 615 calories into perspective, here is how a ButterBurger fits into a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet:
- One ButterBurger with cheese = 615 calories = 31% of calories in a 2,000 calorie diet
- That leaves 1,385 calories remaining for other meals and snacks throughout the day.
So while the ButterBurger is a higher calorie menu item, it can reasonably fit into a balanced 2,000 calorie day. Some ways to accommodate it include:
- Have a lighter breakfast and lunch before your burger
- Split the burger in half and share it with a friend
- Pair it with lower calorie side items like a salad instead of fries
- Complement it with lighter snacks later in the day
Ways to Create a Lower Calorie ButterBurger
If you’re looking to lighten up your ButterBurger, here are some ways to reduce the calories:
Skip the Bun
Going bun-less eliminates about 210 calories. Enjoy your patty and toppings wrapped in lettuce instead.
Choose a Leaner Meat
Opt for a turkey or veggie patty to slash calories. A turkey burger patty may have around 200 calories versus 275 calories in beef.
Limit Cheese
Skip the cheese or ask for just half a slice to cut 50-80 calories.
Load Up on Veggies
Pile on lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and other fresh veggies to add volume and nutrients without a ton of calories.
Use Lower Calorie Condiments
Mustard, salsa, and other tangy spreads have fewer calories than ketchup or mayo-based sauces.
Skip Fries for a Side Salad
Pairing your burger with a side salad instead of fries can shave off hundreds of calories from your meal.
Should You Eat a ButterBurger Every Day?
While an occasional indulgence in a ButterBurger is unlikely to negatively impact your health, eating one every day could make it tough to maintain a balanced diet and healthy weight.
According to the USDA Dietary Guidelines, most adults should aim for 2,000-2,500 calories per day. Eating a 615 calorie burger daily would use 25-30% of your calories in just one meal!
It would also be high in saturated fat and sodium, which the Guidelines recommend limiting. Over time, a daily ButterBurger habit could potentially increase the risk for conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure.
For the best nutrition, the Guidelines recommend focusing on whole, minimally processed foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. A burger now and then can fit into an overall healthy pattern, but making it a daily staple is probably not the best idea for most people.
The Bottom Line
A standard ButterBurger with cheese from Culver’s contains approximately 615 calories. While not exactly diet food, it can reasonably fit into a balanced 2,000 calorie diet when enjoyed occasionally. There are also ways to tweak your order to cut some calories, like skipping the bun or cheese. Overall, enjoying a ButterBurger as an occasional treat is unlikely to be harmful for most people.
