How many calories in a wedgie burger?

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data from Red Robin, a standard Wedgie Burger contains approximately 540 calories. Understanding the components of this bunless burger is key to knowing precisely how many calories in a wedgie burger come from each ingredient, allowing for better dietary control.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of a wedgie burger is typically around 540, a figure influenced by a beef patty, bacon, guacamole, and cheese. Customizing ingredients significantly alters the total nutritional value, with calorie contributions from protein, fat, and other toppings varying.

Key Points

Standard Calorie Count: A Red Robin Wedgie Burger is typically around 540 calories, though this can vary with customization.
Key Calorie Contributors: The majority of calories come from the high-fat beef patty, bacon, and guacamole.
Low-Carb, Not Low-Calorie: The wedgie burger is a low-carb choice but not necessarily a low-calorie one due to its fat-heavy ingredients.
Customize for Lower Calories: Opt for leaner meat, less cheese, and reduced high-fat toppings like bacon to decrease the total calorie count.
Track Each Ingredient: For accurate at-home calculation, add up the calories from each component individually, including the patty, toppings, and sauces.

What is a Wedgie Burger?

The term "wedgie burger" became popular thanks to the Red Robin restaurant chain, which introduced this bunless, low-carb option featuring a large wedge of lettuce as the bun. The classic Red Robin Wedgie Burger comes with a specific set of toppings, including a beef patty, hardwood-smoked bacon, house-made guacamole, tomatoes, and red onions. While the bun's absence drastically reduces the overall carbohydrate content, the calorie count remains substantial due to the dense, high-fat ingredients. This makes it a popular choice for those on keto or low-carb diets, but not necessarily a low-calorie meal.

Breaking Down the Calories

The total calorie count of a wedgie burger is a sum of its parts. Each component adds to the final number, with the fatty ingredients contributing the most significant portion. The high protein and fat content provide a feeling of fullness, but for calorie counters, it's essential to track each item.

Beef Patty: A 4-ounce, 80/20 lean-to-fat beef patty can contain around 280-300 calories. Many restaurants use larger, 6-ounce patties, which can push the calorie count to 420-450 calories for the meat alone.
Hardwood-Smoked Bacon: Each standard slice of cooked bacon adds approximately 40-45 calories. A typical wedgie burger might include two slices, adding around 80-90 calories.
Guacamole: Freshly-smashed avocado is a calorie-dense, healthy fat source. The house-made guacamole can add another 80-100 calories, depending on the serving size.
Cheese: For versions that include cheese, a single slice of cheddar or American can contribute an additional 50-100 calories.
Veggies and Sauce: The lettuce, tomato, and red onion contribute a negligible amount of calories. However, if a sauce or dressing is included (often a side salad is served with it), this can increase the total. For example, a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette can add over 100 calories.

Calorie Comparison: Wedgie Burger vs. Standard Cheeseburger

Understanding the trade-offs between a bunless burger and a traditional one is crucial for making informed dietary choices. The primary difference lies in the carbohydrate count, with the traditional bun adding a significant amount of carbs and calories that the wedgie burger replaces with additional fat from toppings.


Feature	Wedgie Burger (Red Robin)	Traditional Cheeseburger	Notes
Bun	Lettuce wedge	Standard white or sesame seed bun	A standard bun adds 120-150 calories and 20-30g of carbs.
Calories	~540 calories	~800+ calories	Varies significantly based on patty size and toppings.
Carbohydrates	~13g net carbs	~40-50g+ carbs	Lettuce offers minimal carbs, making the wedgie keto-friendly.
Fats	~34g fat	~40g fat	High-fat toppings like bacon and guac keep the wedgie's fat content high.
Protein	~40g protein	~40-45g protein	High protein content is maintained in both options.
Dietary Suitability	Low-carb, Keto-friendly	High-carb, Standard	The wedgie caters to specific dietary needs.

How to Calculate Calories for Your Own Wedgie Burger

If you're making a wedgie burger at home, you can easily calculate the calorie content. First, decide on your patty. An 85/15 ground beef patty will be leaner than an 80/20 patty. Next, choose your toppings. Load up on calorie-light vegetables like extra lettuce, onion, and tomato. Be mindful of higher-calorie additions like sauces, cheese, and bacon. Measure your portions accurately to get the most precise calorie count. You can use online tools or food tracking apps to input each ingredient and get a total. For example, a 4oz, 85/15 ground beef patty (~250 calories), two slices of bacon (~80 calories), and a quarter-cup of guacamole (~100 calories) would be approximately 430 calories, plus a minimal amount for the lettuce and other vegetables.

Customizing Your Wedgie Burger for Lower Calories

For those looking to reduce the calorie count of a wedgie burger, there are several modifications that can be made without sacrificing flavor.

Opt for a Leaner Protein: Instead of an 80/20 beef patty, use a leaner ground beef (90/10), a ground turkey patty, or a chicken patty. These leaner protein options can shave off significant calories.
Adjust High-Fat Toppings: While delicious, toppings like bacon and guacamole are calorie-dense. Reduce the amount of bacon or omit it entirely. Use a smaller portion of guacamole or replace it with a salsa for a lower-calorie, flavorful alternative.
Choose Lower-Calorie Cheese: If you add cheese, opt for a lower-fat variety or simply use less. Swiss cheese, for example, is slightly lower in fat than cheddar per ounce.
Mind the Sauce: Be cautious with creamy or sugary sauces, as they can quickly increase the calorie load. Use mustard, hot sauce, or a light vinaigrette for flavor without adding many calories.
Enhance with Extra Veggies: Add more low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables like bell peppers, pickles, or different types of onion to increase volume and nutrients without boosting the calorie count significantly.

Conclusion

The wedgie burger is a popular choice for those avoiding bread, offering a high-protein, low-carb alternative to a classic burger. However, answering how many calories in a wedgie burger depends heavily on the specific ingredients. While the Red Robin version is around 540 calories, this number can change drastically with different toppings and customizations. By being mindful of ingredient choices—especially the fat content of the patty, cheese, and sauces—it is possible to enjoy this bunless treat while staying within your dietary goals. For accurate personal tracking, always calculate the calories of each component individually, particularly for homemade versions.

For more information on nutritional values, you can consult resources like the USDA's FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

A wedgie burger is typically lower in carbohydrates because it lacks a bun, making it suitable for low-carb or keto diets. However, it is not necessarily lower in calories, as toppings like bacon, cheese, and guacamole add significant fat and calories.

To calculate the calories for a homemade wedgie burger, you need to sum the calories of each individual component. For example, add the calories for the beef patty, any cheese, bacon, and sauces, while noting that vegetables like lettuce and tomato are very low in calories.

The main sources of calories in a wedgie burger are the beef patty and the fatty toppings, such as bacon and guacamole. These ingredients are calorie-dense, despite the absence of a bread bun.

Yes, you can reduce the calories by choosing a leaner protein patty (e.g., 90/10 ground beef or ground turkey), using less or no bacon, and opting for fewer or lighter sauces. You can also reduce the portion of high-fat toppings like guacamole.

Restaurants like Red Robin typically use a wedge of iceberg lettuce to serve as the bun for a wedgie burger. Other types like romaine or bibb lettuce can also be used for lettuce wraps.

A wedgie burger is a specific type of bunless burger. Other bunless burgers might use different toppings, and their nutritional content will vary based on those ingredient choices. The specific combination of bacon and guacamole in a wedgie burger makes it particularly high in fat and calories compared to a more basic lettuce-wrapped patty.

To maintain a low-carb meal, excellent side dishes include a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed vegetables, or grilled asparagus. This avoids the high carbohydrates found in traditional sides like french fries.