Culver’s Menu With Prices and Calories: The Complete 2026 Guide
Culver’s operates over 1,000 locations across 26 states, and every one of them serves food that is made to order using fresh, never-frozen beef and Wisconsin dairy. That commitment to quality puts Culver’s in a category above typical fast food, but the prices stay closer to fast-casual range. If you are planning a visit and want to know exactly what each item costs and how many calories it carries, this culver’s menu guide covers every major category with updated 2026 pricing and nutritional data.
Butter Burgers: The Signature That Built the Brand
The ButterBurger is what most people think of when they hear “Culver’s.” Despite the name, the burger itself is not drenched in butter. The “butter” refers to a thin layer applied to the crown of the bun before it is toasted on the grill, giving it a rich, slightly crispy finish that sets it apart from standard fast-food buns.
Here is how the ButterBurger lineup breaks down in 2026:
| Item | Price (2026) | Calories |
| ButterBurger (Single) | $3.00 | 390 cal |
| ButterBurger Cheese (Single) | $6.49 | 460 cal |
| ButterBurger Cheese (Double) | $7.99 | 620 cal |
| The Culver’s Deluxe (Single) | $5.09 | 470 cal |
| The Culver’s Deluxe (Double) | $7.49 | 630 cal |
| Mushroom & Swiss ButterBurger | $7.79 | 570 cal |
| Cheddar ButterBurger | $7.49 | 520 cal |
| Sourdough Melt | $7.29 | 530 cal |
The single ButterBurger at $3.00 and 390 calories is one of the leanest and cheapest branded burgers in the fast-casual space. For context, a McDonald’s Big Mac runs about $5.99 and 550 calories. The Culver’s Deluxe adds lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, and mustard to the base burger, bumping it to 470 calories but delivering a more complete meal in a single item.
If you are watching calories, the single ButterBurger without cheese at 390 calories is the best burger option on the menu. If you want flavor and are less concerned about intake, the Mushroom & Swiss at 570 calories delivers the richest taste profile in the lineup.
Value Baskets: The Smartest Way to Order
Value Baskets are Culver’s version of combo meals. Each one bundles an entree, a side (typically Crinkle Cut Fries), and a medium drink into a single price. Ordering a Value Basket almost always saves $2 to $3 compared to buying each item separately.
| Value Basket | Price (2026) | Approx. Calories (with fries + drink) |
| ButterBurger Cheese Basket | $7.29 | ~890 cal |
| Culver’s Deluxe Basket | $5.09 | ~900 cal |
| Chicken Tenders Basket (2-pc) | $7.19 | ~780 cal |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich Basket | $8.49 | ~950 cal |
| North Atlantic Cod Sandwich Basket | $9.99 | ~920 cal |
| Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp Basket | $11.99 | ~860 cal |
The Culver’s Deluxe Value Basket at $5.09 is the cheapest complete meal on the menu, which makes it the go-to order for budget-conscious diners. The Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp Basket at $11.99 sits at the premium end but offers something most fast-food chains simply do not have on their menu.
One practical note: you can substitute your side in most Value Baskets. Swapping Crinkle Cut Fries for Steamed Broccoli or a Side Salad drops the total calorie count significantly. Fries add roughly 360 calories to the basket, while steamed broccoli adds about 25 calories. That single swap can cut 300+ calories from your meal without changing the price.
Chicken: Crispy, Grilled, and Everything Between
Culver’s uses whole white meat chicken across its chicken menu, which is a step above the processed patties found at most fast-food chains.
| Item | Price (2026) | Calories |
| Original Chicken Tenders (2-pc) | $7.19 | 370 cal |
| Original Chicken Tenders (4-pc) | $9.49 | 740 cal |
| Buffalo Chicken Tenders (2-pc) | $7.39 | 390 cal |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | $6.99 | 540 cal |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | $7.49 | 350 cal |
| Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich | $7.49 | 560 cal |
The Grilled Chicken Sandwich at 350 calories and $7.49 is the lowest-calorie entree on the entire Culver’s menu if you exclude plain sides. For anyone tracking macros, it delivers roughly 30g of protein with moderate fat and carbs. Pairing it with steamed broccoli and water brings the total meal to under 400 calories, which is hard to match at any fast-casual chain.
The 4-piece Chicken Tenders at 740 calories is a heavy order. If you want tenders but need to keep calories in check, stick with the 2-piece at 370 calories and add a side salad.
Wisconsin Cheese Curds: The Cult Favorite
Cheese curds are the side that separates Culver’s from every other burger chain in America. These are made with real Wisconsin cheddar cheese, breaded and fried until golden. A medium order runs about $5.69 and packs roughly 490 calories.
They are worth trying at least once, but they are calorie-dense for a side item. If you are ordering a Value Basket and adding cheese curds on top of the included fries, your meal total can climb past 1,200 calories quickly. A smarter play is to swap your basket fries for cheese curds (if the location allows substitution) rather than ordering both.
Fresh Frozen Custard: Better Than Ice Cream
Culver’s frozen custard is churned fresh throughout the day using Wisconsin dairy, which makes it noticeably richer and denser than standard soft-serve ice cream. The menu splits into a few core formats:
| Item | Price (2026) | Calories |
| Flavor of the Day (Single Scoop) | $3.99 | ~300-400 cal |
| Concrete Mixer (Regular) | $5.49 | ~700-900 cal |
| Sundae | $5.29 | ~500-600 cal |
| Banana Split | $6.99 | ~800 cal |
| Shake (Regular) | $4.99 | ~600-700 cal |
| Caramel Cashew Sundae | $5.99 | ~650 cal |
Calorie counts for custard items vary widely based on flavor and mix-ins. A plain single scoop of Vanilla sits around 300 calories, while a loaded Concrete Mixer with cookie pieces, candy, and syrup can push past 900 calories. The Flavor of the Day rotates daily at every location (100+ flavors in the rotation), and you can check the current flavor through the Culver’s app or website before visiting.
For a lighter dessert, a single scoop without toppings is the way to go. For a full indulgence, the Concrete Mixer with up to three free mix-ins at $5.49 is hard to beat on value.
Kids’ Meals: Solid Options for Families
Culver’s kids’ meals are priced between $6.50 and $6.99 in 2026 and include an entree, a side, a drink, and either a scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard or a Scoopie Token redeemable for a future custard treat.
Available kids’ entrees include a Single ButterBurger, Single ButterBurger Cheese, 2-piece Chicken Tenders (original or buffalo), Grilled Cheese, Corn Dog, and Mac & Cheese. Most locations also allow side substitutions, so you can swap fries for applesauce or choose milk instead of soda.
The included custard or Scoopie Token is a genuine perk. Most competing chains charge extra for dessert in kids’ meals, while Culver’s builds it into the base price. For families eating out regularly, that adds up.
Seafood: A Rare Fast-Food Category
Most fast-food chains either skip seafood entirely or limit it to a basic fish sandwich. Culver’s goes further with a dedicated seafood section that includes North Atlantic Cod (sandwich and dinner), Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp, and seasonal options during Lent.
The North Atlantic Cod Sandwich at around $8.00 (standalone) and the Cod Dinner are both made fresh to order. For anyone avoiding red meat or looking for variety, this section of the menu fills a gap that competitors simply do not address.
Salads: The Lighter Side
Culver’s salad menu includes the Garden Fresco Salad (with or without grilled chicken) and seasonal options. A Garden Fresco Salad with Grilled Chicken runs roughly 350 calories and provides a genuinely healthy meal option, especially when paired with a lighter dressing.
Salads at Culver’s are not afterthoughts. They are built with fresh ingredients and serve as a legitimate standalone meal rather than just a side item.
Calorie-Smart Ordering Strategies
After reviewing every section of the menu, here are the combinations that deliver the best balance of taste, value, and nutrition:
The lowest-calorie full meal is a Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli and water, coming in under 400 calories total and around $8 to $9 as a basket.
The best value meal is the Culver’s Deluxe Value Basket at $5.09. It is the cheapest complete combo on the menu and keeps calories under 900 with fries and a drink.
For a satisfying meal under 600 calories, order any single ButterBurger and swap the basket fries for a side salad or steamed broccoli.
Avoid stacking cheese curds on top of a Value Basket unless you have calories to spare. The smarter move is to substitute them for fries within the basket.
The single scoop of Flavor of the Day custard at $3.99 is the best dessert value. Skip the Concrete Mixer if you are watching intake, or share one with the table.
How Culver’s Compares on Price
Culver’s sits slightly above McDonald’s and Burger King in pricing but uses fresh, never-frozen ingredients and makes every order on demand. A ButterBurger Cheese starts at $6.49 versus a Big Mac at $5.99, but the quality gap is noticeable. Value Baskets starting at $5.09 compete directly with combo meals at other chains while offering a premium eating experience.
For diners comparing Culver’s to Shake Shack or Freddy’s, Culver’s generally comes in a few dollars cheaper per meal while maintaining comparable quality. The frozen custard program and cheese curds give Culver’s a unique edge that neither competitor matches.
Final Thought
Culver’s keeps its 2026 menu built around fresh preparation, Midwest flavors, and pricing that stays accessible. Individual items range from $3.00 for a basic ButterBurger up to $11.99 for a premium seafood basket. Calories span from under 400 for grilled chicken and salads to well over 900 for loaded burgers and custard combinations.
The key to ordering smart at Culver’s is knowing where the value sits (Value Baskets, kids’ meals) and where the calorie traps hide (cheese curds as add-ons, loaded Concrete Mixers). Use this guide before your next visit, and you will walk in knowing exactly what to order.
Disclaimer: All prices and calorie counts mentioned are approximate and based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Actual prices and nutritional values may vary by location. This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Culver Franchising System, LLC.
