Is Culvers Butterburger Healthy? A Comprehensive Nutritional Breakdown

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a single Culver's Original ButterBurger contains approximately 390 calories, making it a potentially lighter option compared to other fast-food giants. However, a closer look at the complete nutritional profile is necessary to truly evaluate its place in a balanced diet.

Quick Summary

Culver's Butterburgers can fit into a mindful diet by customizing your order to control calories, fat, and sodium. Understanding the nutritional impact of different patty sizes, toppings, and sides is key to making a balanced choice.

Key Points

Basic Nutrition: A single, plain ButterBurger has about 390 calories, 17g fat, and 480mg sodium, representing a moderate fast-food choice.
Additions Add Up: Adding cheese or extra patties significantly increases the calorie, saturated fat, and sodium counts, turning a moderate choice into a heavy meal.
Mindful Customization: You can reduce the health impact by requesting a lettuce wrap instead of a bun and asking for no butter on the bun.
Healthier Alternatives: The grilled chicken sandwich and side salads are the most recommended lower-calorie, lower-fat options available at Culver's.
Context is Key: While some studies have rated the ButterBurger as one of the 'least unhealthy' fast-food options, it should still be considered an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your diet.
Side Dish Strategy: Swapping high-fat sides like fries and cheese curds for healthier choices like steamed broccoli or a side salad helps create a more balanced meal.

The Nutritional Profile of a Single ButterBurger

Culver's is famous for its fresh, never-frozen beef and the signature butter-toasted bun that gives the ButterBurger its name and flavor. While the quality of ingredients is a plus, the nutritional breakdown is crucial for health-conscious diners. The standard single Original ButterBurger provides a useful starting point for analysis.

Calories: At around 390 calories, a single ButterBurger is comparable to many single-patty burgers at other fast-food restaurants.
Total Fat: It contains approximately 17g of total fat, which is a moderate amount.
Saturated Fat: The saturated fat content is around 7g, which is a significant portion of a person's recommended daily intake.
Sodium: With 480mg of sodium, it fits within a reasonable range for a single item but can contribute to high daily intake, especially when paired with salty sides.
Protein: Providing 20g of protein, the burger offers a satisfying and muscle-building component.

How Customization Changes the Equation

Starting with the single patty is the most mindful choice, but adding toppings or choosing a larger version drastically alters the nutritional landscape. Here's how customizations can add up:

Adding Cheese: A single ButterBurger with cheese jumps to 460 calories, 23g of total fat, and 700mg of sodium.
Choosing a Double: A double ButterBurger without cheese escalates to 560 calories, 30g of total fat, and 580mg of sodium.
Double with Cheese: Opting for the double with cheese pushes the meal further into indulgent territory with 700 calories, 42g of total fat, and over 1,000mg of sodium.
Adding Bacon: The Bacon Deluxe options will add even more calories, fat, and sodium to any burger size.

ButterBurger vs. Other Culver's Options

To put the ButterBurger's nutritional value in context, let's compare it to other popular Culver's menu items. This table highlights how different choices impact your meal's overall health profile, based on nutritional data.


Menu Item	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Single ButterBurger (plain)	390	17	7	480
Single ButterBurger (with cheese)	460	23	11	700
Grilled Chicken Sandwich	381	5	1	926
Garden Fresco Salad (with chicken, no dressing)	270	N/A	N/A	N/A

Making a Health-Conscious Choice at Culver's

If you enjoy Culver's but want to make more mindful choices, here are some practical tips that can significantly improve the health of your meal:

Modify Your Main: Request a single ButterBurger with no butter on the bun. For an even lighter option, ask for your burger in a lettuce wrap. The grilled chicken sandwich is another excellent choice with fewer calories and fat, although some versions may have higher sodium content.
Be Mindful of Toppings: Skip the cheese, bacon, and creamy sauces like mayo. Ketchup and mustard are lower-calorie alternatives.
Choose Healthier Sides: Instead of fries or cheese curds, opt for a side salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed broccoli, or apple slices. These choices increase fiber and nutrients while reducing fat and calories.
Opt for Water: Skipping soda and choosing water or unsweetened iced tea is a simple way to eliminate unnecessary sugar and calories from your meal.

How the ButterBurger Stacks Up Against Competitors

Some studies have positioned the Culver's ButterBurger favorably against other major fast-food chains. A 2024 analysis ranked the single ButterBurger (plain) as one of the 'least unhealthy' fast-food cheeseburgers, a title that is important to understand in context. This ranking does not mean the burger is a health food, but rather that its nutritional metrics are more favorable than the heavily processed, larger, and loaded burgers found elsewhere. Ultimately, the quality of Culver's fresh beef and made-to-order approach can be seen as a relative advantage in the fast-food space, though it doesn't erase the need for moderation.

Conclusion

So, is a Culvers butterburger healthy? The answer is nuanced. A single, unadorned ButterBurger can be a moderately indulgent part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. The quality of the fresh, never-frozen beef and the straightforward preparation are positive points. However, larger patties and add-ons like cheese and bacon significantly increase calorie, fat, and sodium content, turning it into a less-healthy indulgence. For those seeking a truly healthier meal, Culver's offers excellent alternatives like the grilled chicken sandwich and side salads. Customization is your best tool for navigating the menu effectively. By making thoughtful choices about your main course, toppings, and sides, you can enjoy the flavor of Culver's while maintaining your health goals. For more detailed information on ingredients, you can always consult the official Culver's Nutrition Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single Culver's Original ButterBurger without cheese contains approximately 390 calories. This number increases with larger patty counts or added toppings like cheese and bacon.

The buttered bun adds extra calories, fat, and saturated fat to the burger. For a healthier option, you can request your burger with no butter on the bun.

The healthiest burger option is the single ButterBurger without cheese, served either with a lettuce wrap or with no butter on the bun.

Some analyses have found the single Culver's ButterBurger to be among the "least unhealthy" of fast-food cheeseburgers, primarily due to its comparatively lower calorie content.

Good lower-calorie choices include the grilled chicken sandwich, side salads with grilled chicken, soups, and sides like steamed broccoli or apple slices.

To improve the healthiness of your meal, opt for a single patty, skip extra toppings like cheese and bacon, choose a lettuce wrap, and substitute high-fat sides with a side salad or steamed broccoli.

Yes, a ButterBurger can be part of a balanced diet if you consume it as an occasional treat. For regular intake, it is recommended to customize it to reduce calories and fat and to pair it with healthier side options.