Can You Order a Burger Without a Bun at Wendy's? Your Low-Carb Guide

October 27, 2025 •

3 min read

For those on a low-carb or gluten-free diet, a common question is: Can you order a burger without a bun at Wendy's? According to Wendy's themselves, the answer is yes, and ordering one is a simple process. Removing the bun significantly cuts down on carbohydrates, making their customizable menu a viable option for a diet-conscious fast-food meal.

Quick Summary

Wendy's allows customers to order any burger without a bun, which can be served in a bowl or as a lettuce wrap. This customization is ideal for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets.

Key Points

Order 'No Bun' or 'Lettuce Wrap': You can easily customize any burger at Wendy's to be bunless, either by serving it in a container or wrapping it in lettuce.
Cuts Carbs Significantly: Removing the bun is the quickest way to reduce the carbohydrate and calorie content of a Wendy's burger, making it suitable for low-carb and keto diets.
Customize Your Condiments: To keep your meal low-carb, avoid sugary sauces like ketchup and stick to low-carb options like mustard and mayonnaise.
Consider Other Options: Beyond bunless burgers, Wendy's also offers low-carb alternatives like grilled chicken sandwiches (without the bun) and customizable salads.
Use the App for Customization: For the most control over your order, use the Wendy's app to specify "no bun" and manage your choice of toppings.
Mind Cross-Contamination: While bunless is an option for gluten-sensitive diets, be mindful of potential cross-contamination in shared fast-food kitchen environments.

Ordering a Bunless Burger at Wendy's

Ordering a burger without a bun at Wendy's is straightforward, whether you're at the counter, in the drive-thru, or using the mobile app. Simply specify "no bun" when you place your order. The meal will be served in a bowl with a knife and fork, containing the burger patty, cheese, and your chosen toppings. Alternatively, you can request a "lettuce wrap" for a hand-held option. This replaces the bread with a crisp, large lettuce leaf, providing a convenient and refreshing way to enjoy your burger.

Customizing Your Low-Carb Meal

While the bun is the primary source of carbs in a typical burger, some condiments and toppings can also add hidden sugars and carbohydrates. Being mindful of these choices will help you maintain your low-carb diet.

Toppings to include:

Cheese
Bacon
Onions
Pickles
Lettuce
Tomato
Mayonnaise (generally low in carbs)
Mustard (generally low in carbs)

Condiments to limit or avoid:

Ketchup (high in sugar)
BBQ Sauce (high in sugar)
Sweet sauces or dressings

Nutritional Breakdown of Bunless Options

Removing the bun from a Wendy's burger has a significant impact on its nutritional profile, particularly in reducing carbohydrates and overall calories. The protein and fat from the meat and cheese remain, but the high-carb element is eliminated.

Example: A bunless Baconator®

A standard Baconator® contains a significant amount of carbs from the bun and ketchup. By ordering it as a lettuce wrap and holding the ketchup, you can create a high-fat, high-protein, and very low-carb meal. One bunless Baconator® has a macronutrient breakdown that is approximately 69% fat, 26% protein, and just 5% carbs, assuming you add lettuce, pickles, and tomato. The total calories are also significantly reduced by removing the bun.

Comparison of Standard vs. Bunless Burgers

Here is a comparison of two popular Wendy's burgers with and without the bun, based on available nutrition information. The bunless versions assume no ketchup or other sugary condiments.


Menu Item	Standard (with bun)	Bunless (no bun, no ketchup)
Dave's Single®	~570 calories, 40g carbs	~340 calories, 5g carbs
Baconator®	~960 calories, 45g carbs	~700 calories, 3g carbs
Jr. Cheeseburger	~320 calories, 26g carbs	~170 calories, 3g carbs

Beyond Burgers: Other Low-Carb Wendy's Choices

Wendy's offers other low-carb options that can complement a bunless burger or serve as a meal on their own.

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches: Order the Grilled Chicken sandwich without the bun or honey mustard sauce for a low-carb alternative. A grilled chicken club with no bun has significantly fewer carbs than its standard version.
Salads: While seemingly healthy, many salads come with croutons and high-sugar dressings. Opt for a salad like the Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad, but be mindful of dressing portions. For a truly low-carb meal, choose a lower-carb dressing or use your bunless burger contents on top.
Chili: Wendy's chili is a hearty option, but it does contain a moderate amount of carbs (19 grams for a small). This may be suitable depending on your daily carb goals.

Tips for a Successful Bunless Order

To ensure your order is prepared to your dietary needs, follow these tips:

Use the App: The Wendy's app often allows for detailed customization of ingredients, making it easier to ensure your order is correct.
Be Specific: When ordering, explicitly state "no bun" and list any toppings you want added or removed. Mentioning a "lettuce wrap" is also a good specific request.
Mind Cross-Contamination: If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy, be aware of the risk of cross-contamination in a fast-food environment where common surfaces are used for preparation. Wendy's provides food allergen information but cannot guarantee items are completely free of allergens.
Check Macros: Online tools and nutrition calculators can provide detailed macro breakdowns for customizable menu items.

Conclusion

Navigating a fast-food menu on a low-carb or keto diet can be challenging, but Wendy's proves to be a flexible option. By knowing that you can order a burger without a bun at Wendy's and understanding how to customize your condiments, you can enjoy a satisfying and compliant meal. The availability of lettuce wraps and clear nutritional information makes Wendy's a viable choice for those prioritizing a low-carbohydrate nutritional diet. For the most accurate and up-to-date nutritional data, refer to the official Wendy's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can request a lettuce-wrapped burger at Wendy's. This provides a hand-held option for your bunless burger, replacing the bread with a large, crisp lettuce leaf.

Yes, a bunless Baconator is a popular keto-friendly choice at Wendy's. By ordering it without the bun and holding the ketchup, you get a meal with high protein and fat and very low carbs.

Generally, Wendy's does not charge extra for omitting the bun. You are simply ordering a standard menu item with a modification.

The carb count varies by burger, but it is very low. For example, a bunless Jr. Cheeseburger contains only about 3g of carbs, while a bunless Triple has around 6g.

For low-carb or keto diets, safe sauce options generally include mustard, mayonnaise, and occasionally a low-sugar ranch. It's best to avoid ketchup and BBQ sauce due to their high sugar content.

Yes, you can order Wendy's breakfast sandwiches, like the Breakfast Baconator, without the bun or biscuit to make them low-carb.

While the focus is on bunless, it is worth noting that Wendy's buns are not vegan. Ordering a burger without a bun is necessary for vegan and other dietary needs involving avoiding bread products.

For the most accurate order, use the mobile app to customize your meal. If ordering in person, clearly state "no bun" or "lettuce wrap" and specify any desired toppings or condiments.