How many calories are in 2 burgers with cheese?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

Depending on the ingredients, two fast-food cheeseburgers could contain anywhere from 600 to over 2,000 calories, a significant portion of an average person's daily intake. This wide range shows why it's crucial to understand what factors influence the final count for two burgers with cheese.

Quick Summary

The total number of calories in two cheeseburgers varies significantly based on factors like size, ingredients, and preparation method. This guide details the typical calorie ranges for fast food and homemade options, outlining nutritional differences and providing strategies for making healthier choices to better manage your intake.

Key Points

Calorie Variability: The calorie count for two cheeseburgers varies widely, from under 600 to over 1,500 calories, depending on size, ingredients, and preparation.
Fast Food vs. Homemade: Homemade burgers allow for precise control over calories, sodium, and fat content by choosing lean meat, healthier buns, and lighter toppings.
Ingredient Swaps: Simple changes like using leaner ground beef, a whole-wheat bun or lettuce wrap, and choosing mustard over mayonnaise can dramatically reduce total calories.
Health Implications: Regular consumption of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium burgers can increase risks for health issues like weight gain, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Mindful Consumption: Enjoying cheeseburgers in moderation and making informed choices about ingredients and side dishes is key to managing your overall caloric intake.
Beyond Calories: It's important to consider the total nutritional profile, including fat and sodium, not just the calorie number, when assessing the health impact of cheeseburgers.

The number of calories in two burgers with cheese is not a single, fixed number but a range that can vary dramatically based on where they come from and how they are prepared. A pair of small, plain cheeseburgers from a fast-food chain will have a vastly different calorie count than two large, gourmet homemade burgers loaded with extra toppings. By understanding the components and their contribution to the total, you can make more informed decisions.

Fast Food vs. Homemade: A Calorie Breakdown

Calories from fast food cheeseburgers are often easier to determine, as chains are required to provide nutritional information. However, this data only reflects the standard menu item and can change with variations or add-ons.

The Fast Food Double Cheeseburger

Many fast-food chains offer a "double cheeseburger," which serves as a good proxy for two smaller, single-patty cheeseburgers, though the total calorie count can differ slightly. For instance, a McDonald's Double Cheeseburger is around 440-450 calories, while a larger option like a Sonic Supersonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger can exceed 1,100 calories. This illustrates that a simple order of two regular fast-food cheeseburgers could easily put your intake for the meal in the 600 to 1,000+ calorie range.

Customizing Homemade Burgers for Calorie Control

When making burgers at home, you have complete control over every ingredient, which allows for precise calorie management. Opting for leaner ground beef (e.g., 95% lean), smaller buns, and low-calorie condiments can keep the total much lower. A simple homemade cheeseburger might be around 400-500 calories, bringing the total for two to 800-1,000 calories. However, using fattier beef, large brioche buns, and high-fat condiments can push the total significantly higher, rivaling or exceeding fast-food options.

Nutritional Impact Beyond Calories

Beyond the raw calorie number, the nutritional composition of your burgers is a critical health consideration. Fast food burgers are notoriously high in saturated fats, sodium, and often contain trans fats, which can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic health issues. Homemade burgers, on the other hand, allow you to control these elements, using leaner meat and less salt.

How to Enjoy Cheeseburgers and Manage Calories

For those who love cheeseburgers but are mindful of their calorie intake, several strategies can help turn a high-calorie meal into a healthier choice.

Tips for Reducing Burger Calories:

Choose Leaner Meat: Opt for 90% or 95% lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken to significantly lower the fat content.
Swap the Bun: Replace a traditional white bun with a whole-wheat alternative, a smaller English muffin, or a large lettuce wrap to cut carbs and calories.
Limit Toppings: Be mindful of high-calorie add-ons like bacon, mayonnaise, and creamy sauces. A single slice of American cheese can add 100+ calories. Use mustard, pickles, and plenty of fresh vegetables instead.
Control Portion Size: Making slightly smaller patties can help keep the total calories in check.
Grill or Bake: Cooking your patties on a grill or in the oven rather than frying them can help fat drip away and eliminate the need for added cooking oil.

Comparison of Cheeseburger Calories (Fast Food vs. Homemade)


Feature	Fast Food Cheeseburger (Average)	Homemade Cheeseburger (Healthier Version)
Calorie Count (1 burger)	300–550+ kcal	350–500 kcal
Patty Fat Content	Often 80/20 ground beef or fattier	Leaner options like 95% lean beef or ground turkey
Bun Type	Processed white buns, often high in sugar	Whole-wheat bun, small bun, or lettuce wrap
Cheese	Processed American cheese	Less-processed natural cheese, sometimes low-fat
Condiments & Toppings	High-fat sauces, excess salt	Healthier options like mustard, relish, fresh veggies
Sodium Level	High, often exceeding 700 mg per burger	Controlled, often much lower

Conclusion

While the exact number of calories in two burgers with cheese is highly variable, it is important to recognize that it can easily constitute a large portion of your daily energy needs. A quick fast-food meal can range from 600 to well over 1,000 calories for two burgers, often accompanied by high levels of saturated fat and sodium. In contrast, making burgers at home provides the opportunity to create a more nutritious meal by controlling ingredients, especially the type of meat, bun, and toppings. By applying conscious choices and healthy swaps, you can enjoy a flavorful meal while staying within your dietary goals, rather than falling victim to the significant calorie load of a less-thoughtful selection.

For more detailed nutritional breakdowns and healthier recipes, resources like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central are excellent tools for reference and planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it varies by restaurant, one double cheeseburger often has fewer total calories than two single cheeseburgers from the same chain, as it uses one bun and typically slightly less cheese and toppings overall.

Two small fast-food cheeseburgers, such as those from McDonald's or Burger King, are typically around 600-700 calories total, assuming each single burger is approximately 300-350 calories.

To lower calories, use leaner ground beef (95% lean), ground turkey, or a veggie patty. Swap the bun for a lettuce wrap or a whole-wheat bun, and use mustard or a low-fat sauce instead of mayonnaise.

Yes, different types of cheese have varying calorie and fat contents. Using a single slice of American cheese adds about 100 calories, while a stronger-flavored cheese like a light cheddar might allow you to use less for similar taste, saving a few calories.

Making cheeseburgers at home is generally healthier because you can control the ingredients, opting for leaner meat, less processed cheese, and fewer high-fat condiments, which also reduces saturated fat and sodium.

Instead of french fries, opt for a side salad with a light dressing, fresh fruit, baked sweet potato fries, or steamed vegetables. These options add nutrients and fiber without the high calories of traditional fried sides.

For fast food, always check the restaurant's official website or app, as they often provide detailed nutritional information. For homemade burgers, use a food tracking app or a nutritional calculator that allows you to enter specific ingredient quantities.