How Many Calories Are in One Cheeseburger Slider? The Complete Nutritional Breakdown

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

A single cheeseburger slider can contain anywhere from roughly 160 to over 400 calories, depending entirely on its specific ingredients and preparation. Understanding how many calories are in one cheeseburger slider requires looking beyond the miniature size to its individual components, from the type of beef to the sauces used.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a cheeseburger slider is not a single, fixed number but varies significantly based on the meat's leanness, the bun, cheese, and toppings. This nutritional breakdown explores the factors influencing calories and provides a comparison of commercial and healthier homemade options.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: A cheeseburger slider's calories are highly variable, ranging from approximately 160 to over 400 kcal based on ingredients and portion size.
Meat Matters Most: The leanness of the ground beef significantly impacts the fat and calorie content; using 95% lean beef can drastically reduce calories.
Buns Add Carbs: A standard white slider bun adds about 80-100 calories, while alternatives like whole-wheat buns or lettuce wraps can reduce this count.
Cheese and Toppings Inflate Calories: High-fat cheese, butter, and mayonnaise can add 50-100+ calories per slider, whereas fresh veggies and mustard are low-calorie alternatives.
Homemade Control: Preparing sliders at home offers full control over ingredients, enabling you to manage and reduce the total calorie count effectively.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: Consider lean ground turkey, plant-based patties, or portabella mushrooms as lower-calorie replacements for traditional beef.
Commercial vs. Homemade: Pre-made and fast-food sliders, such as those from 7-Eleven, can be significantly higher in calories than a carefully constructed homemade version.

The Surprising Calorie Range of a Cheeseburger Slider

Many assume that because cheeseburger sliders are small, they are a low-calorie option. While they are smaller than a standard burger, the calorie count can be surprisingly high, and the range is vast. For example, a basic, no-frills cheeseburger slider from some nutritional databases reports around 161 calories, featuring a lean beef patty and minimal cheese. However, a White Castle Original Cheese Slider is listed at 170 calories, while a larger 7-Eleven cheeseburger slider can contain 330 calories. Homemade versions can easily reach over 400 calories or more depending on the recipe and portion sizes. The key to understanding the calorie content lies in dissecting the components.

Breaking Down the Calories: What Factors Matter?

Several key factors influence the total number of calories in a cheeseburger slider. These elements can be controlled when preparing homemade sliders to manage your calorie intake.

The Beef Patty

The choice of ground beef is arguably the most significant factor. Leaner cuts of beef, such as 90/10 (90% lean, 10% fat) or 93/7, have a lower fat and calorie count compared to regular ground beef (80/20). A quarter-pound patty of 95% lean beef can contain significantly fewer calories than one made with regular, higher-fat beef. Opting for lean ground turkey or a plant-based patty can further reduce the calorie count.

The Bun

The bun is another major contributor of carbohydrates and calories. A standard white slider bun can add 80-100 calories. Alternatives like whole-wheat buns can offer more fiber and nutrients, while significantly more calorie-conscious options include lettuce wraps. Switching from a butter-brushed white bun to a whole-grain bun or lettuce wrap can save a substantial number of calories.

The Cheese

Cheese adds a savory flavor but also a significant number of calories and saturated fat. An ounce of full-fat cheddar cheese can contribute over 100 calories. Processed cheese slices and sauces can also be calorie-dense. Opting for a low-fat cheese or using a smaller amount can help manage the calorie load.

Toppings and Sauces

While often overlooked, toppings and sauces can quickly add up. Ingredients like mayonnaise, bacon, and sugary condiments can inflate the calorie count. For instance, half a tablespoon of mayonnaise can add about 47 calories. Replacing these with healthier alternatives like mustard, salsa, pickles, and fresh vegetables such as lettuce and tomatoes is a smart move for calorie control.

Calorie Comparison: Commercial vs. Homemade Sliders

To illustrate the calorie variability, here is a comparison table of different types of cheeseburger sliders.


Slider Type	Estimated Calories (per slider)	Key Ingredients and Factors
White Castle Original Cheese	~170 kcal	Small beef patty, processed cheese, steamed bun, pickles. Low-frills preparation keeps calories lower.
7-Eleven Cheeseburger Slider	330 kcal	Larger patty, higher fat content, richer sauce, and cheese, potentially larger bun size.
Basic Homemade Slider	~260-350 kcal	Recipe using ground beef (80/20), standard white bun, and cheddar cheese. Varies by patty size and cheese amount.
Lean Homemade Slider	~160-250 kcal	Made with lean ground turkey or 95% lean beef, whole-wheat bun or lettuce wrap, and low-fat cheese.

Tips for a Healthier Cheeseburger Slider

If you're watching your calorie intake but still crave a slider, here are some actionable tips for making healthier choices:

Choose Leaner Meat: Use ground turkey breast or extra-lean ground beef (93/7 or 95/5) to cut down on saturated fat and calories.
Opt for Whole-Grain Buns: Substitute a white bun with a whole-grain version for added fiber and nutrients, or go for a lettuce wrap to eliminate bun calories altogether.
Be Mindful of Cheese: Use a single, small slice of a lower-fat cheese option or skip it entirely to save calories.
Swap Sauces: Replace mayonnaise and high-sugar ketchup with mustard, hot sauce, or a fresh salsa for flavor without the extra fat.
Load Up on Veggies: Add fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles for crunch and extra nutrients without significant calories.
Try Alternative Patties: Consider making patties from black beans, lentils, or portabella mushrooms for a plant-based, lower-calorie alternative.

Conclusion

So, how many calories are in one cheeseburger slider? The answer depends entirely on the details. From a modest 160-calorie serving to a more indulgent 400+ calorie version, the calorie content is a direct reflection of its ingredients. For those on a diet, being aware of the ingredients and making smarter choices—like opting for leaner meat, whole-wheat buns, and fresh toppings—allows you to enjoy a flavorful slider while staying on track with your nutritional goals. For more information on healthier burger choices, consult this guide from Everyday Health on 5 Tips for a Healthier Burger.

Frequently Asked Questions

A classic White Castle Cheese Slider contains approximately 170 calories, while a double cheese slider from the chain is about 300 calories.

Yes, you can make a low-calorie cheeseburger slider by using lean ground meat (like 95% lean beef or ground turkey), opting for whole-wheat buns or lettuce wraps, and choosing low-fat cheese and healthy toppings.

The leaner the ground beef, the fewer the calories. A burger made with 95% lean beef will have significantly fewer calories and less fat than one made with standard 80/20 ground beef.

Toppings and sauces can add a surprising amount of calories. Calorie-dense additions like mayonnaise, rich sauces, and butter can drastically increase the total, while fresh veggies and mustard are lower-calorie choices.

Yes, a cheeseburger slider from 7-Eleven contains about 330 calories, making it a higher-calorie commercial option compared to other sliders like White Castle.

To reduce calories, you can switch from a standard white bun to a whole-wheat bun for added fiber or use a large lettuce leaf as a wrap to cut out the bun completely.

The macronutrient breakdown depends on the ingredients, but a higher-fat slider (like the 7-Eleven one) might be around 42% carbs, 45% fat, and 13% protein. A leaner homemade slider would have a different ratio, with a higher percentage of protein.

Yes, tracking the calories of a homemade slider is more accurate than with commercial versions. By measuring the specific quantities of lean ground meat, bun type, cheese, and toppings, you can calculate the exact calorie count for your recipe.