Nutrition: How much sugar is in In-N-Out protein style?

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to In-N-Out's official nutrition information, a single Protein Style hamburger has 6 grams of sugar. This is a substantial reduction compared to a regular bun-based burger. For those managing their carb intake, knowing exactly how much sugar is in In-N-Out protein style? is crucial for making an informed dining decision.

Quick Summary

The sugar content in an In-N-Out Protein Style burger is minimal, with the main sources coming from the spread and natural vegetable sugars. It is a lower-carb alternative to the standard burger and can be customized further for an even lower sugar count.

Key Points

Low Sugar Content: An In-N-Out Protein Style burger contains only 6-7 grams of sugar, a major reduction from the standard bun-based version.
Spread is the Main Source: The sugar comes primarily from the special spread (containing relish and ketchup) and natural sugars in the vegetables, not the meat.
Low-Sugar Customization: Requesting a Protein Style burger with no spread is the most effective way to eliminate the majority of its sugar.
No Sugar Increase in Double-Double: A Double-Double Protein Style maintains the same low sugar count as the single patty version, but has higher calories, fat, and protein.
Balanced Perspective: While low in sugar and carbs, the Protein Style is still a fast food item that can be high in fat and sodium, so moderation is recommended.

Understanding the Sugar Content in Protein Style Burgers

When you opt for an In-N-Out Protein Style burger, you are choosing to replace the standard bun with a lettuce wrap. The removal of the bun is the single largest factor in reducing the burger's carbohydrate and sugar content, making it a popular choice for those on low-carb or ketogenic diets. The specific sugar amount depends on the type of Protein Style burger ordered, as well as whether you include the special spread.

Protein Style Hamburger: This option, which includes a single patty, lettuce, tomato, and spread, contains approximately 6 to 7 grams of sugar, depending on the data source consulted. The slight variation can be due to natural differences in the ingredients.
Protein Style Cheeseburger: Similar to the hamburger, the cheeseburger version has a comparably low sugar count, typically around 6 grams.
Protein Style Double-Double: Even when doubling up on the patties and cheese, the sugar content remains low, typically at 6 grams. The additional protein and cheese do not significantly increase the sugar count, though they do impact calories, fat, and sodium.

The Source of Sugar: It’s Not the Meat

The sugar in an In-N-Out Protein Style burger primarily comes from two places: the vegetables and the spread. While the meat, cheese, and lettuce contain negligible amounts of sugar, the tomato and onion contribute some naturally occurring sugars. The most significant source of added sugar, however, is the special spread. As noted on forums discussing the ingredients, the spread is a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish, with both ketchup and relish containing sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

Protein Style vs. Standard Bun Burger: A Nutritional Comparison

To highlight the impact of choosing "Protein Style," let's compare the sugar, carbohydrate, and calorie content of a Double-Double burger with a bun versus its Protein Style equivalent. This comparison clearly demonstrates the benefits for those managing sugar and carb intake.


Nutritional Aspect	Double-Double with Bun	Double-Double Protein Style
Sugar (g)	8g	6g
Total Carbs (g)	41g	12g
Calories	610	450
Protein (g)	34g	30g
Sodium (mg)	1660	1380

How to Minimize Sugar with Customizations

For those on a very strict diet, or simply wanting to further reduce the sugar count, In-N-Out allows for easy customizations. The easiest way to cut down on sugar is to remove the spread.

No Spread: Simply ask for your Protein Style burger with "no spread." This is the most effective way to eliminate the majority of the added sugar from condiments. You can still enjoy the fresh taste of the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, with a hint of flavor from the mustard, if requested.
Mustard instead of Spread: A popular and healthier alternative is to ask for mustard instead of the spread. Mustard is low in sugar and adds a tangy flavor.
Avoid Animal Style: While a flavorful option, ordering a burger "Animal Style" adds extra spread and grilled onions, which will increase both the sugar and calorie count.

The Bigger Nutritional Picture: Beyond Sugar

While the Protein Style burger is a low-sugar and low-carb alternative, it's important to consider its other nutritional components. The beef patties, cheese, and spread contribute significantly to the total fat and sodium content. Even without a bun, the Double-Double Protein Style contains 32g of fat and 1380mg of sodium, so it's not a 'diet' food and should be consumed in moderation. However, it does provide a substantial amount of protein, making it a satisfying meal option.

Conclusion: A Smart Choice with Customization

Ultimately, a Protein Style burger from In-N-Out is a smart and healthier choice for those looking to significantly reduce sugar and carbohydrate intake without sacrificing flavor. With a standard sugar count of around 6 grams, most of the remaining sugar comes from the natural ingredients and the special spread. By strategically customizing your order to request "no spread" or mustard, you can effectively lower the sugar content even further. While it’s not a low-fat or low-sodium meal, it remains a valuable option for managing certain dietary goals, especially when compared to its traditional, bun-based counterpart.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult the official In-N-Out nutrition guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

In-N-Out's Protein Style is a secret menu option where the traditional burger bun is replaced with large, crisp lettuce leaves, providing a low-carb and gluten-free alternative.

The sugar content comes from the natural sugars found in the vegetables like tomatoes and onions, as well as the added sugar in the special spread (which contains ketchup and relish).

Yes. By eliminating the high-carb bun, the Protein Style burger has a much lower sugar and carbohydrate count compared to a standard In-N-Out burger.

You can request the burger with "no spread" and ask for a low-sugar condiment like mustard instead. This eliminates the added sugar from the relish and ketchup in the spread.

Yes. The 'Animal Style' customization includes extra spread and grilled onions, which will increase the overall sugar and carbohydrate count of the burger.

The sugar content is very similar across Protein Style versions. A Double-Double Protein Style also has only 6 grams of sugar, the same as a single cheeseburger Protein Style.

While it's a healthier, low-carb alternative, it can still be high in fat and sodium due to the meat, cheese, and spread. It is a better choice for sugar and carbs, but should still be eaten in moderation.

Yes. For a ketogenic diet, it is recommended to order the Protein Style burger with no spread to keep net carbs and sugar as low as possible.

This is one of the best ways to get a near-zero sugar and very low-carb meal at In-N-Out. The only remaining sugars would be naturally occurring trace amounts from the vegetables.