What's the highest calorie takeaway? Uncovering the most calorific meals

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published by Nesta in 2024, takeaway pizzas are, on average, the most calorific item available from high street eateries, with some individual products containing more than double the recommended 600 kcal per meal. If you've ever wondered what's the highest calorie takeaway you could order, the answer often lies in large, meat-heavy options with added sauces and sides.

Quick Summary

An in-depth analysis of calorific takeaway food options reveals that deep-fried, large, and creamy meals, especially certain pizzas and burgers, are often the most calorie-dense choices available.

Key Points

Pizza Reigns Supreme: On average, takeaway pizzas, especially large ones with multiple meat and cheese toppings, tend to be the most calorific takeaway option.
Burgers Go Big: Large, multi-patty burgers loaded with cheese, bacon, and rich sauces, plus combo meal extras like fries and milkshakes, are exceptionally high in calories.
Deep-Frying is a Major Culprit: Cooking methods that involve deep-frying, common for items like fried chicken, fries, and battered dishes, significantly increase a meal's fat and calorie content.
Sauces and Sides Add Up: The addition of creamy sauces, extra cheese, and sugary drinks in meal deals dramatically inflates the overall calorie total of a takeaway.
Sit-Down Restaurants Can Surprise: Some studies indicate that sit-down restaurant meals, due to larger portions and richer ingredients, can be even more calorific on average than fast-food meals.

Understanding the Factors Behind High-Calorie Takeaways

The total calorie count of a takeaway meal is determined by several factors, not just the main dish. A large portion size, the type and quantity of cooking oil used, and the addition of fatty sauces and sides all contribute to a meal's overall energy density. It’s a combination that can easily push a single meal beyond the recommended daily intake for many people.

The Takeaway Hall of Shame: Top Contenders

While averages show certain types of takeaways are consistently high in calories, some specific dishes stand out. These meals often combine multiple high-fat and high-carb elements to create a calorific powerhouse.

Pizza: Large, deep-pan, and stuffed-crust pizzas loaded with multiple meat toppings are notorious. For example, a large Domino's Meatfielder pizza was found to contain over 2,600 kcal. The combination of a large dough base, rich tomato sauce, multiple cheeses, and fatty processed meats makes it an energy-dense choice.
Burgers: Many premium and fast-food chain burgers stack multiple patties, cheese, bacon, and rich sauces, significantly elevating their calorie count. The Burger King Rodeo King, featuring two beef patties, cheese, bacon, and onion rings, was noted for its high calorie content, reaching 1,250 kcal. Adding fries and a milkshake pushes the total much higher.
Fried Chicken: A classic fried chicken meal is high in calories due to the deep-frying process and breading. Combo meals, which include fries and sugary drinks, are especially high. A large bucket of fried chicken can easily exceed a person's daily calorie needs, especially when sauces and sides are factored in.
Indian Curries: While not all Indian takeaways are calorific, creamy curries like korma, tikka masala, and pasanda, which are made with high-fat ingredients such as coconut milk and cream, are among the most calorie-dense. Paired with pilau rice, naan bread, and bhajis, the calorie count can be substantial.
Chinese Takeaways: Dishes that are battered and deep-fried, such as sweet and sour pork balls and spring rolls, are high in calories. While stir-fries can be healthier, many Chinese takeaways feature high-fat items and sugary sauces, especially when served with fried rice.

Why Portion Size and Ingredients Matter

The most significant contributors to a meal's calorie count are often overlooked. A large portion size is the most obvious, but specific ingredients and cooking methods play a critical role.

Deep-Frying: Cooking food in excessive amounts of oil, especially with breading, drastically increases fat and calorie content. This applies to everything from fried chicken and fries to tempura and battered sausages.
Creamy Sauces: Both savory and sweet dishes often rely on rich, creamy sauces to enhance flavor. In curries, pasta dishes, and even desserts, these sauces add significant amounts of fat and calories.
Sweetened Drinks: Fizzy drinks and milkshakes, often included in meal deals, can contain hundreds of extra calories and large amounts of sugar. For instance, a Dairy Queen Peanutty Swirl Master Blast was noted to have 2,190 calories.
Carbohydrate-Heavy Components: Pizza crusts, burger buns, rice, and naan bread serve as calorie-dense foundations for many takeaway meals. When not balanced with vegetables or lean protein, they push calorie totals higher.

Comparison of Calorific Takeaway Meals


Takeaway Type	Example Meal	Estimated Calorie Range	Key Factors Increasing Calories
Pizza	Large, stuffed-crust, meat-topped pizza	2,000 - 3,000+ kcal	Large size, high-fat toppings, cheese, thick base
Gourmet Burger Combo	Double patty burger with bacon, cheese, fries, and milkshake	1,800 - 2,200+ kcal	Multiple patties, cheese, bacon, rich sauces, high-fat sides
Indian Curry	Creamy chicken curry with pilau rice and naan bread	1,500 - 2,000+ kcal	Cream/coconut milk sauce, rich rice, high-fat bread
Fried Chicken Meal	Bucket of fried chicken with fries and sugary drink	1,600 - 2,500+ kcal	Deep-frying, breading, large portion size, sweetened beverage
Chinese Combo	Battered pork balls, egg fried rice, spring rolls	1,200 - 1,800+ kcal	Deep-frying, sugary sauces, oil used in rice and starters

A Deeper Look into Restaurant vs. Fast-Food Calories

Interestingly, a 2018 BBC report found that sit-down restaurant meals often contained more calories than fast-food chain meals. Researchers found that the average meal in restaurants was 1,033 kcal, compared to 751 kcal in fast-food chains. Factors like larger portion sizes, richer ingredients, and less transparent nutrition information can contribute to this trend. This finding highlights that high-calorie meals are not limited to traditional fast-food outlets.

Conclusion

While the search for what's the highest calorie takeaway reveals several candidates, a definitive single item is difficult to pinpoint due to regional variations, portion sizes, and optional extras. However, the data consistently points towards large, deep-fried meals that combine multiple high-fat and high-carbohydrate components, such as meat-heavy pizzas, multi-patty burgers with all the fixings, and creamy curries with sides. Understanding the ingredients and preparation methods is key to identifying and managing calorific intake when ordering takeaway.

For more information on balancing a healthier diet, consider consulting resources like the NHS Eatwell Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most calorific takeaway pizzas are typically large, deep-pan varieties with rich toppings like pepperoni, bacon, and multiple cheeses. Stuffed crusts also add a significant amount of extra calories.

While it depends on the specific order, studies have shown that pizzas, on average, are the most calorific single item. However, an extra-large, multi-patty burger combo with fries and a milkshake can rival the calorie count of a large pizza.

Indian curries made with cream or coconut milk, such as korma or masala, can be very high in calories, especially when served with pilau rice, naan, and other sides. Dishes with tomato-based sauces are generally lower in calories.

Yes, sides and drinks can drastically increase a takeaway meal's total calories. Large fries and sugary sodas or milkshakes often add hundreds or even thousands of extra calories.

Not all Chinese takeaways are unhealthy. Steamed dishes and vegetable-heavy stir-fries with plain boiled rice are much healthier options. Battered and deep-fried dishes, along with those made with sugary sauces, are the most calorific.

To make a takeaway less calorific, you can choose smaller portions, opt for grilled or steamed items instead of deep-fried, select tomato-based sauces over creamy ones, and avoid sugary drinks and high-fat sides.

A BBC report found that, on average, sit-down restaurant meals had more calories than those from fast-food chains, often due to larger portion sizes and richer ingredients.