Does Cracker Barrel Have Low Carb Options? Your Guide to Navigating the Menu

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition experts, eating out on a low-carb diet is possible with a little planning and smart menu choices. For those wondering, does Cracker Barrel have low carb options?, the good news is that you can find plenty of satisfying meals by making simple substitutions and focusing on certain protein-rich dishes.

Quick Summary

Cracker Barrel offers several low-carb options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner through strategic ordering and side dish substitutions. Focus on grilled proteins and non-starchy vegetables while avoiding biscuits, gravy, and other breaded items to stay on track.

Key Points

Prioritize Grilled Proteins: Choose grilled meats like steak, chicken, or trout to avoid high-carb breading found in fried dishes.
Substitute Starchy Sides: Swap hashbrown casserole, mashed potatoes, and biscuits for low-carb vegetables like fresh steamed broccoli or country green beans.
Customize Your Breakfast: Order eggs with bacon or sausage and ask to omit the biscuits, grits, and toast for a simple, low-carb start.
Be Mindful of Sauces: Request sauces and dressings on the side or opt for simple oil and vinegar to control for hidden sugars and carbs.
Build Your Own Salad: Use the house salad as a base, but remember to hold the croutons and choose a keto-friendly dressing.
Avoid All Fried Items: Steer clear of anything described as fried, battered, or crispy, as these are typically coated in high-carb ingredients.

Cracker Barrel is a popular destination for comfort food, but a menu filled with biscuits, gravy, and sugary fried apples can seem daunting for those following a low-carb diet. However, by understanding the menu and knowing what substitutions to request, a fulfilling and delicious low-carb meal is well within reach. From customizable breakfasts to savory grilled dinners, Cracker Barrel can accommodate a low-carb lifestyle with a little forethought.

Low-Carb Breakfast Options at Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel's all-day breakfast menu provides an excellent foundation for a low-carb meal, as eggs and meat are staple keto-friendly ingredients. The key is to skip the high-carb accompaniments like pancakes, grits, and biscuits.

The Old Timer's Breakfast: Order this with two eggs and your choice of meat, such as smoked sausage or thick-sliced bacon. Politely ask to hold the hashbrown casserole, gravy, and biscuits, and instead request a side of country green beans or fresh steamed broccoli.
Two Egg Whites with Turkey Sausage: For a leaner, high-protein start, this option has very few carbs. Just be sure to forgo any toast or biscuits that may be offered.
Customize Your Own Omelet: Many diners offer omelets, and Cracker Barrel is no exception. While not on every printed menu, you can often request a custom order of eggs with low-carb fillings like cheese, bacon, and sausage. Confirm that no pancake batter is used in the egg mixture.

Lunch and Dinner Entrees for Low-Carb Dieters

When it comes to lunch and dinner, the best strategy is to look for simple, unbreaded protein options and customize the sides. Grilled meats and seafood are your best bet.

Grilled Sirloin Steak: At just 1 gram of carbs, the grilled sirloin is an excellent, filling main course.
Lemon Pepper Grilled Rainbow Trout: This flavorful, high-protein fish dish is a great choice. It has a higher fat content than some other protein options, which is beneficial for those on a keto diet.
Spicy Grilled Catfish: Another grilled seafood alternative, the catfish contains just 2 grams of carbs per two fillets.
Grilled Chicken Tenderloins: These tenderloins are a solid, low-carb choice, but be mindful of the dipping sauce. The Honey Mustard is high in sugar, so ask for it on the side or avoid it altogether.

Low-Carb Sides and Substitutions

This is where you can make or break your low-carb meal. By swapping out starchy, carb-heavy sides for vegetable-based ones, you can easily maintain your diet.

Country Green Beans: These are a fantastic go-to side, containing only around 7 grams of carbohydrates.
Fresh Steamed Broccoli: A standard vegetable option, steamed broccoli is always a safe, low-carb choice.
Turnip Greens: Similar to green beans, turnip greens offer a savory and low-carb alternative.
House Salad (customized): Order a house salad but ask to hold the croutons and choose a low-sugar dressing, such as a full-fat ranch or simple oil and vinegar. Always get dressings on the side to control the amount.

Customizing Your Order for Success

To successfully navigate Cracker Barrel's menu on a low-carb diet, a few key strategies are essential. Always check the menu online ahead of time if possible to plan your meal.

Ask for Modifications

Don't be afraid to ask for a bunless burger, or to have your entree served without the starchy sides. Most restaurants are accustomed to accommodating dietary requests.

Watch Out for Hidden Carbs

Many sauces, glazes, and dressings are loaded with hidden sugars. Ask about ingredients or request sauces on the side. Barbecue sauce, for instance, is typically high in sugar.

Avoid Breading and Batter

Fried foods are a no-go on a low-carb diet. This means skipping items like the fried chicken, catfish, and fried okra. Stick to grilled or baked items to avoid the carb-heavy coatings.

Example Low-Carb Meal Plan

Breakfast: The Old Timer's Breakfast with two eggs, sausage patties, and a side of green beans instead of biscuits and hashbrowns.
Lunch: A side of grilled chicken tenderloins with a house salad (no croutons) and oil and vinegar dressing.
Dinner: Grilled sirloin steak with steamed broccoli and turnip greens.

High-Carb vs. Low-Carb Cracker Barrel Meals


High-Carb Meal	Carbohydrate Source	Low-Carb Swap	Carb Count Reduction
Country Fried Steak Platter	Breading, gravy, mashed potatoes, biscuits	Grilled Sirloin Steak with green beans and turnip greens	Significant
Momma's Pancake Breakfast	Pancakes, syrup, hashbrown casserole	Old Timer's Breakfast (Eggs, bacon) with broccoli	Major
Fried Chicken Tenderloins	Breading	Grilled Chicken Tenderloins	Moderate
Meatloaf Dinner	Meatloaf filler, mashed potatoes	Hamburger Steak (no bun) with side salad and broccoli	Significant

Conclusion

While Cracker Barrel's menu might seem intimidating for those on a low-carb diet, with a bit of strategy, it's very possible to enjoy a satisfying and delicious meal. The key is to focus on simple grilled or plain proteins, make smart substitutions for high-carb sides, and be cautious of hidden sugars in sauces and dressings. By doing so, you can indulge in the restaurant's famous hospitality without compromising your nutritional goals.

For more information on nutrition facts and allergens at Cracker Barrel, you can visit their official guest relations page.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Cracker Barrel doesn't have a dedicated keto menu, many of its protein-based entrées and non-starchy vegetable sides are suitable for a keto diet when customized. Grilled steak, fish, and eggs with bacon are all excellent options.

The best low-carb side dishes include country green beans, steamed broccoli, and turnip greens. These can be requested as substitutes for higher-carb options like potatoes and hashbrowns.

Yes, it is possible to order a burger without the bun. Many diners will serve the patty with toppings in a bowl or a lettuce wrap upon request.

Yes, you can also order a breakfast with smoked sausage or turkey sausage. Simply request to hold the biscuits and hashbrown casserole.

To ensure your salad is low-carb, ask for it without croutons and any sugary dressings. Opt for a full-fat ranch, blue cheese, or simple oil and vinegar dressing on the side.

You should avoid all gravies, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard, as they are typically high in sugar and carbs. Ask about the ingredients or request a simple, low-carb sauce instead.

Yes, the hamburger steak is a good low-carb option, containing only 1 gram of carbs. Just be sure to order it without the bun and substitute the standard sides with low-carb vegetables.