What is the unhealthiest fast food burger?

October 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 analysis by PlushCare, the Five Guys Cheeseburger scored the highest for unhealthiness among 16 popular chains, primarily due to its saturated fat content. This and other similar burgers, packed with excess calories, sodium, and fat, are vying for the title of the unhealthiest fast food burger, creating a race to the bottom of the nutritional scale.

Quick Summary

This article explores and compares the unhealthiest fast food burgers from major chains, examining their nutritional profiles based on calories, fat, and sodium. It identifies the leading contenders for the most unhealthy burger and details what makes them so high in saturated fat and calories.

Key Points

Five Guys' Cheeseburger has been identified as the unhealthiest cheeseburger in a recent study, primarily due to its high saturated fat content.
Burgers with multiple patties, such as Burger King's Bacon King, often top lists for their extremely high calorie counts, which can exceed 1,000 calories per burger.
Key factors contributing to a burger's unhealthiness include fatty ground beef, processed cheese, bacon, and creamy, high-calorie sauces like mayonnaise.
Opting for a single patty, skipping cheese and bacon, and choosing a side salad instead of fries are effective ways to reduce the unhealthiness of a fast food meal.
While most fast food chains offer unhealthy options, there is significant variation, with some chains like Culver's and McDonald's having less unhealthy cheeseburger options compared to chains like Five Guys and Smashburger.
The unhealthiest fast-food burgers often contain excessive amounts of sodium, fat, and calories, contributing to long-term health risks if consumed frequently.

Determining what is the unhealthiest fast food burger is a complex task, as it depends on the criteria used—calories, saturated fat, sodium, or overall processed ingredients. However, recent studies and nutritional breakdowns highlight several key contenders that consistently rank at the bottom of the health spectrum. The consensus points to chains known for large, multi-patty offerings and generous, fatty toppings. The sheer scale and high-density ingredients of these menu items push their nutritional values far beyond daily recommendations.

The Top Contenders for the Unhealthiest Burger

Recent analyses have ranked fast-food burgers based on a combined score factoring in energy, saturated fat, and sodium. A PlushCare study from 2024 found that the Five Guys Cheeseburger topped the list with an “unhealthiness score” of 50, due largely to its extremely high saturated fat content. Other burgers also consistently place high on lists of unhealthy fast food items, including multi-patty options from chains like Burger King, Wendy's, and Fatburger.

Five Guys: The Saturated Fat Champion

The standard Cheeseburger: This unassuming item is a heavyweight when it comes to saturated fat. A single Five Guys Cheeseburger packs a staggering amount of saturated fat, which significantly increases its overall unhealthiness score. The use of rich, fatty ground beef and a large amount of cheese contributes to its high fat and calorie count. While the burger is customizable, the base nutritional profile is already highly problematic for health-conscious diners.

Burger King: The Calorie King

The Bacon King: Often cited in lists of the most calorie-dense fast food items, the Bacon King features two large beef patties, thick-cut bacon, cheese, and a mayonnaise-based sauce. This combination pushes the total calorie count into a range that can easily exceed half of a person's daily recommended intake. A study cited by Men's Health ranked a version of this burger with over 2,000 calories when paired with a meal.

Other Highly Unhealthy Burgers

Wendy's Big Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger Triple: Another high-calorie offender, this burger includes three beef patties and a massive amount of bacon and cheddar cheese sauce, contributing heavily to its high fat and sodium levels.
Sonic Supersonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger: This option is another high-sodium and high-fat burger that frequently appears on lists of the worst offenders.
Smashburger Classic Smash Double: This burger tied for the second-highest unhealthiness score in the 2024 PlushCare study, indicating its nutritional pitfalls.

A Comparative Look: Unhealthiest Burgers by Nutritional Category

To understand why these burgers are so unhealthy, it's useful to compare them across different nutritional metrics. Here is a simplified comparison of some top contenders based on typical reporting:


Burger (Chain)	Approx. Calories	Approx. Saturated Fat	Approx. Sodium	Primary Concern
Five Guys Cheeseburger	980 kcal	26.5 g	1050 mg	Highest Saturated Fat
BK Bacon King (Burger only)	1200 kcal	Not Specified*	Not Specified*	Extreme Calorie Count
Wendy's Big Bacon Cheddar Triple	1420 kcal	60 g+	2000 mg+	High Calories, Fat & Sodium
Sonic Supersonic BDCB	1140 kcal	49 g+	1940 mg+	High Calories & Sodium
Smashburger Classic Smash	990 kcal	42 g+	1500 mg+	High Saturated Fat

Note: Nutritional information can vary based on restaurant location, size customization, and time of analysis. Always check the official website for the most accurate and current data.

Key Ingredients Driving Unhealthiness

Several factors contribute to the poor nutritional profile of these burgers:

High-Fat Meat: The use of ground beef with a high fat-to-lean ratio, often 70/30, significantly increases the saturated fat content. Grilling, which allows fat to drip away, is less common in fast food prep than cooking on a flat top with added oil.
Excessive Cheese and Bacon: Adding multiple slices of processed cheese and strips of bacon dramatically increases calories, sodium, and saturated fat without adding much nutritional value.
Mayo and Creamy Sauces: Condiments like mayonnaise and secret sauces are often high in unhealthy fats and calories, providing flavor but at a significant health cost.
Processed Buns and Toppings: White flour buns offer little fiber, and sauces often contain hidden sugars.
Portion Size: The most obvious factor, multi-patty burgers and overly large buns, contributes to an excessive calorie load.

How to Make Healthier Fast-Food Choices

If avoiding fast-food entirely isn't an option, moderation and smart choices are key. Instead of ordering the biggest, most laden burger on the menu, consider these tips:

Opt for a single patty: This is the single most effective way to reduce calories, fat, and sodium.
Skip the cheese and bacon: Removing these popular toppings can save hundreds of calories and grams of fat.
Choose a side salad instead of fries: While the burger is still unhealthy, switching the side dish helps balance the meal with some vegetables.
Request mustard or skip the mayo: Ask for lighter condiments or avoid creamy sauces entirely to cut down on unnecessary fat.
Look for junior or children's menu options: Smaller burgers are often available and can satisfy a craving without overindulging.

Conclusion

While the title for the unhealthiest fast food burger is a competitive one, the Five Guys Cheeseburger stands out for its high saturated fat content, according to recent analysis. However, other colossal offerings like Burger King's Bacon King or Wendy's Big Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger also rank high for their extreme calorie counts and loaded toppings. Ultimately, the unhealthiness stems from a combination of fatty meat, excessive cheese and bacon, and high-calorie sauces. The occasional fast-food indulgence is unlikely to cause serious harm, but chronic consumption, especially of the largest items, can pose significant health risks related to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Being mindful of these nutritional details allows for a more informed and balanced approach to fast-food dining.

Sources

PlushCare Study: The Most and Least Healthy Items At Fast Food Chains -
Men's Health Article: The Healthiest (and Unhealthiest) Fast Food Burgers of 2021 -

Frequently Asked Questions

Recent studies have pointed to Five Guys as the chain with the unhealthiest standard cheeseburger, due to its exceptionally high saturated fat content compared to competitors.

The Bacon King is often cited as one of the unhealthiest burgers from Burger King, known for its high calorie count from its two beef patties, thick-cut bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise.

The most calorie-dense fast food burgers, such as Burger King's Bacon King or Wendy's multi-patty options, can contain over 1,000 calories per sandwich.

Both are significant concerns. However, some burgers, like the Five Guys Cheeseburger, are particularly high in saturated fat, while others, like the Sonic Supersonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger, contain very high levels of sodium.

Yes, a homemade burger can be unhealthy if it uses high-fat ground beef, large amounts of cheese and fatty toppings, and is prepared with unhealthy cooking methods. The difference lies in control over ingredients and preparation.

Toppings to avoid or minimize include processed cheese, bacon, and creamy, mayonnaise-based sauces. These add a significant amount of calories, saturated fat, and sodium.

Not all fast-food burgers are equally unhealthy. Simpler options like a McDonald's or Culver's basic cheeseburger have been shown to have lower 'unhealthiness scores' compared to larger, more loaded burgers from other chains.