Low-Calorie, High Protein Options at Culver's

October 2025 update

Yes, you can keep your goals at Culver’s. The play is simple: lead with lean proteins, tame sauces and cheese, watch buns and sides, and keep drinks zero-cal so your calories buy fullness—not sugar. Below is a skimmable list of go-to items with practical macro ranges (typical 2024–2025 builds; restaurants vary). Use these as helpful estimates, not lab values.

The Big List

Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no mayo)
Calories: ~380–430 • Protein: ~30–36 g
Description: Juicy grilled chicken on a bun with lettuce/tomato. Cleanest everyday protein; add pickles, skip creamy sauce.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich (lettuce-wrapped)
Calories: ~300–350 • Protein: ~30–36 g
Description: Drop most bun calories while keeping the protein and flavor.

ButterBurger® Single (ketchup/mustard only)
Calories: ~390–450 • Protein: ~22–26 g
Description: Classic Culver’s beef, trimmed of heavy sauces. Add extra lettuce, onion, pickles for volume.

ButterBurger® Double (lettuce-wrapped, mustard only)
Calories: ~520–620 • Protein: ~38–45 g
Description: High protein without bun calories. Great on gym days.

Deluxe Single (no mayo)
Calories: ~430–480 • Protein: ~22–26 g
Description: The “everything burger” cleaned up—keep cheese if you love it, but pick one indulgence (cheese or mayo).

Harvest Veggie Burger (no mayo)
Calories: ~420–470 • Protein: ~18–22 g
Description: Plant-forward, decent protein if you’re skipping beef; load on veggies, hold creamy sauces.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich (no mayo)
Calories: ~460–520 • Protein: ~24–28 g
Description: Crunch fix without the sauce bomb. Add lettuce/tomato, keep the rest simple.

North Atlantic Cod Sandwich (no tartar or light tartar)
Calories: ~520–600 (light/no sauce) • Protein: ~23–27 g
Description: Hand-breaded comfort; control calories by light sauce and no cheese.

Beef Pot Roast Sandwich (no gravy add-ons)
Calories: ~430–500 • Protein: ~25–30 g
Description: Slow-cooked protein; skip extra gravy or buttery spreads to keep it tidy.

Chicken Tenders (3-piece)
Calories: ~360–420 • Protein: ~24–28 g
Description: Straightforward protein. Choose BBQ or hot sauce and dip lightly.

Chicken Tenders (4-piece)
Calories: ~470–560 • Protein: ~32–36 g
Description: Scale your protein without adding a bun. Pair with a zero-cal drink.

George’s® Chili (Regular)
Calories: ~280–330 • Protein: ~18–22 g
Description: Cozy, bean-and-beef chili that fills you up for relatively few calories.

George’s® Chili Supreme (ask for light toppings)
Calories: ~340–420 • Protein: ~20–24 g
Description: Chili with cheese/onions—ask for light cheese to keep macros friendly.

Garden Fresco Salad + Grilled Chicken
Calories: ~320–420 (dressing on side) • Protein: ~28–35 g
Description: Big greens + lean chicken. Fork-dip the dressing to save 80–200 calories.

Cranberry Bacon Bleu / Chicken Cashew Salad (half portion) + Grilled Chicken
Calories: ~350–480 (light dressing) • Protein: ~25–32 g
Description: Flavorful salads; keep nuts/cheese moderate and dressing light for a balanced bowl.

Green Beans (side)
Calories: ~40–60 • Protein: ~2 g
Description: Easy veggie add-on to replace fries or curds.

Steamed Broccoli (side; where available)
Calories: ~35–55 • Protein: ~3 g
Description: Bulks up the plate with fiber and barely any calories.

Mashed Potatoes (no gravy) – Small
Calories: ~120–160 • Protein: ~3–4 g
Description: When you want a warm side without going all-in on fries. Go light on gravy.

Crinkle-Cut Fries – Small
Calories: ~240–300 • Protein: ~3–4 g
Description: If you’re getting fries, keep it small and make the main high-protein (grilled chicken or chili).

Wisconsin Cheese Curds – Kids/Small (share)
Calories: ~280–360 • Protein: ~13–16 g
Description: Iconic but rich. Share a small order and balance with a lean entrée.

Frozen Custard—Kids’ Dish (Vanilla/Flavor of the Day)
Calories: ~250–320 • Protein: ~6–8 g
Description: Dessert that still brings a little protein. Keep it kids-size to stay in range.

Zero-Cal Drinks: Water, Diet/Zero Soda, Unsweetened Iced Tea, Black Coffee
Calories: ~0–5 • Protein: 0 g
Description: Keep drinks “quiet” so your calories pay for protein, not sugar.

Quick Ordering Scripts (steal these) 😎

“Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no mayo—extra lettuce and tomato.”
“ButterBurger Single—mustard and ketchup only—and water.”
“Could you lettuce-wrap a ButterBurger Double? Mustard only.”
“Regular George’s Chili and a side of green beans, please.”
“Garden Fresco Salad with grilled chicken—dressing on the side.”

Smart Swaps & Pitfalls (to stay low-cal/high-protein)

One indulgence rule: cheese or mayo/tartar or bacon—pick one, not all three.
Dip, don’t drown: sauces on the side; a few dunked bites go a long way.
Protein over potatoes: trade fries for chili, greens, or chicken tenders when goals matter.
Bun control: ask for lettuce wrap or keep the standard bun but skip butter/mayo.
Custard sanity: kids’ dish or share—enjoy the taste, not the calorie hangover.

Savvy Dining at Culver's

Culver’s comfort food can absolutely fit a lean routine—just lead with grilled chicken, single-patty burgers cleaned up, chili, and salads with dressing on the side. Keep drinks zero-cal, choose one indulgence (cheese or mayo/tartar or bacon), and reach for veggie sides or chicken tenders instead of a large fry. Want this turned into ready-to-order meal combos for workdays, family nights, and post-gym stops? Tell me your daily calorie + protein targets and I’ll map them out. 🍔🥦💪