Culvers keto options are far and wide if you know what to look for.1 Luckily, the secret keto menu below compiles all their low carb options and details how to make modifications to certain menu items in order to remove the carbs.
Considering the popularity of the keto diet, being one of the best diets for beginners, it makes sense that a lot of people are interested in what their favorite fast food restaurant can offer.
By looking at the different food items one can order as well as studying their nutrition guide, one can determine the available keto dishes on the menu very quickly.
Is It Possible To Eat Keto At Culvers? Where Are Culvers Keto Options?
It is possible to find many keto-friendly menu items at a person’s local Culver’s restaurant, but it won’t be easy. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the menu items at Culver’s are quite high in carbohydrates which slows ketone production and can ‘knock’ a person out of ketosis.2
Source: LauriPatterson via Canva.com3
But, there is the potential to make modifications to a decent amount of them to allow for keto diet compatibility.
It should also be noted that Culver’s keto secret menu is curated below in order to make finding keto options a breeze although it is based off their original menu.
Top Tips to Eat Culvers Keto Style
There are a few tips to help people make the most of eating at Culvers while on the keto diet.
- Always order a burger to have no bun, or have it on lettuce: Culver’s buttered buns are renowned for being extremely tasty, but when on the keto diet, they are a delicacy that must be forgone. Without the bun, the vast majority of the burgers available at Culver’s quickly become ideal for a keto diet, mainly comprised of fats and protein.
- Ask for salad dressing on the side: Salad dressing is typically a carb-heavy addition to salads that most people don’t realize is messing up their ketosis.
- Ask for no croutons: Croutons are just small, dry pieces of bread seasoned with garlic and other spices; if a person wants to stick to keto, avoid eating croutons.
- Ask for no ketchup: Ketchup has a surprising amount of carbohydrates in it; it would be best to avoid getting ketchup with any meal you get from Culver’s.
Culver’s Keto Menu & Nutritional Information
The keto-friendly options at Culver’s may be somewhat limited, but there are still several choices available that adhere to the standard keto limit of 20 grams of net carbohydrates.4
Always check the nutritional information for each dish before ordering. Many people use the keto diet as a way to distract themselves from hunger, finding its appetite-suppressing benefits quite effective.5
If any of the items you order from Culver’s do not fall within the umbrella of ‘keto’, these benefits may not be achieved.
Keto Culvers ButterBurgers
Below are the nutritional values of ButterBurger Singles’ with the bun removed to show how many net carbs are in each ButterBurger Single before the bun is added on. This is sourced directly from their nutritional guide and if you get more than a single, just double or triple the carbs amounts while excluding the bun.
1. Lightly Toasted Buttered Bun
- Calories: 220
- Fat (g): 4
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 38
- Net Carbs (g): 37
2. “The Original”
- Calories: 170
- Fat (g): 13
- Protein (g): 14
- Carbs (g): 0
- Net Carbs (g): 0
3. Cheese
- Calories: 240
- Fat (g): 19
- Protein (g): 17
- Carbs (g): 1
- Net Carbs (g): 0
4. Mushroom & Swiss
- Calories: 380
- Fat (g): 22
- Protein (g): 20
- Carbs (g): 2
- Net Carbs (g): 0
5. Sourdough Melt
- Calories: 270
- Fat (g): 21
- Protein (g): 20
- Carbs (g): 4
- Net Carbs (g): 2
6. Deluxe
- Calories: 350
- Fat (g): 30
- Protein (g): 17
- Carbs (g): 3
- Net Carbs (g): 2
7. Bacon Deluxe
- Calories: 390
- Fat (g): 34
- Protein (g): 20
- Carbs (g): 2
- Net Carbs (g): 1
8. Wisconsin Swiss Melt
- Calories: 250
- Fat (g): 20
- Protein (g): 21
- Carbs (g): 1
- Net Carbs (g): 0
Clearly, all of the ButterBurger’s at Culver’s can be made keto by removing the bun, and they provide fantastic macronutrients for those on the keto diet.
Culvers Low Carb Chicken
Unfortunately, there are very few keto-friendly chicken items available at Culvers. Again, this item accounts for removing the Lightly Buttered Bun to ensure it falls within the keto diet’s standards.
9. Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Calories: 170
- Fat (g): 4
- Protein (g): 35
- Carbs (g): 2
- Net Carbs (g): 1
The Grilled Chicken Sandwich might be perfect for keto bodybuilders who want to incorporate a lot of protein into their diet while still eating in a caloric deficit.
Seafood Options at Culver’s for a Keto Diet
Similar to Culver’s Chicken items, the Seafood selection is quite limited, with only one menu item falling within the restrictions of the keto diet after removing the bun.
10. North Atlantic Cod Fillet Sandwich
- Calories: 380
- Fat (g): 30
- Protein (g): 20
- Carbs (g): 12
- Net Carbs (g): 11
The North Atlantic Cod Filet Sandwich is certainly on the higher side when it comes to net carb count, which is something keto dieters should be aware of. But, eaten in moderation, this can work in a person’s keto diet.
Keto Approved Homestyle Favorites
11. Beef Pot Roast Sandwich
- Calories: 380
- Fat (g): 30
- Protein (g): 20
- Carbs (g): 12
- Net Carbs (g): 11
12. Grilled Reuben Melt
- Calories: 440
- Fat (g): 34
- Protein (g): 31
- Carbs (g): 5
- Net Carbs (g): 1
Two other Homestyle Favorites are borderline keto worthy – the Harvest Veggie Burger and the Pork Loin Sandwich. Each of these burgers has 72 grams of carbohydrates, so after taking out the bun, would have 34 grams.
This is right on the edge of what can be considered “staying in ketosis”; it all depends on what the individual dieter can tolerate based on their subjective experience. Here, for Homestyle Favorites that include gravy, it would be a good idea to ask for no gravy due to the surprisingly high amount of carbohydrates in gravy.
Low Carb Sides At Culvers
Interestingly, the first four side items on this list are naturally keto and don’t require any modifications to fit the keto diet.
13. Coleslaw, Medium
- Calories: 200
- Fat (g): 16
- Protein (g): 1
- Carbs (g): 15
- Net Carbs (g): 13
14. Side Salad
- Calories: 50
- Fat (g): 2
- Protein (g): 2
- Carbs (g): 5
- Net Carbs (g): 4
15. Steamed Broccoli
- Calories: 40
- Fat (g): 0
- Protein (g): 3
- Carbs (g): 7
- Net Carbs (g): 4
16. Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce
- Calories: 130
- Fat (g): 10
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 3
- Net Carbs (g): 3
For those who simply want a quick keto side, that doesn’t add too many calories, these are perfect.
Keto Approved Salads, Dressings, & Soups at Culver’s
Or, if the keto-approved sides at Culver’s aren’t up to par, luckily, there are a ton of keto options available when it comes to Culver’s soups, salads, and dressings.
17. Chicken Cashew Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Calories: 200
- Fat (g): 16
- Protein (g): 1
- Carbs (g): 15
- Net Carbs (g): 13
18. Cranberry Bacon Bleu Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Calories: 50
- Fat (g): 2
- Protein (g): 2
- Carbs (g): 5
- Net Carbs (g): 4
19. Garden Fresco Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Calories: 40
- Fat (g): 0
- Protein (g): 3
- Carbs (g): 7
- Net Carbs (g): 4
20. Strawberry Fields Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Calories: 130
- Fat (g): 10
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 3
- Net Carbs (g): 3
21. Culver’s Vinaigrette
- Calories: 130
- Fat (g): 13
- Protein (g): 0
- Carbs (g): 3
- Net Carbs (g): 3
23. Ken’s Country French Dressing
- Calories: 190
- Fat (g): 15
- Protein (g): 0
- Carbs (g): 13
- Net Carbs (g): 13
24. Ken’s Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
- Calories: 50
- Fat (g): 0
- Protein (g): 0
- Carbs (g): 12
- Net Carbs (g): 12
25. Ranch Dressing
- Calories: 180
- Fat (g): 19
- Protein (g): 1
- Carbs (g): 2
- Net Carbs (g): 2
26. Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Calories: 220
- Fat (g): 12
- Protein (g): 10
- Carbs (g): 17
- Net Carbs (g): 16
27. Chicken Noodle Soup
- Calories: 100
- Fat (g): 2
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 15
- Net Carbs (g): 14
As a full disclaimer, many people say that people should ask for no dressing while on a keto diet. In general, as long as a person is aware of the carbohydrate content, it is perfectly ok to consume dressing while on keto; in fact, salad dressing is included in the diet of deep-sea divers with potent benefits.6
Source: nu-creation via Canva.com7
With such a wide variety of keto soups, salads, and dressings available at Culver’s, paired up with a bunless ButterBurger, it is quite easy to see that creating and eating a keto meal at Culver’s is quite simple.
The Top Low Carb Options At Culvers: Sample Meals
As already seen, there are 27 different items a person can order at Culver’s to stay true to the keto diet. The below meals are examples of the best keto meals one can create at Culvers; they are combinations of things like ButterBurgers, Seafood, Sides, and Soups.
Meal #1 – Bunless Cheese Butterburger Single, Coleslaw, & Chicken Noodle Soup
This meal is perfect for a person who wants a well-rounded meal with a good amount of fats, protein, and nearly all the net carbs they can consume in a day.
Cheese Butterburger
- Calories: 240
- Fat (g): 19
- Protein (g): 17
- Carbs (g): 1
- Net Carbs (g): 0
Coleslaw, Medium
- Calories: 200
- Fat (g): 16
- Protein (g): 1
- Carbs (g): 15
- Net Carbs (g): 13
Chicken Noodle Soup
- Calories: 100
- Fat (g): 2
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 15
- Net Carbs (g): 14
Total
- Total Calories: 540
- Total Fat (g): 37
- Total Protein (g): 24
- Total Carbs (g): 31
- Total Net Carbs (g): 17
Meal #2 – Bunless Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Steamed Broccoli, & Strawberry Fields Salad with Grilled Chicken
For a person who wants quite a bit of protein in their diet and is following strict weight loss rules, like the aforementioned keto bodybuilder, this meal offers a high amount of protein with a low amount of calories.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Calories: 170
- Fat (g): 4
- Protein (g): 35
- Carbs (g): 2
- Net Carbs (g): 1
Steamed Broccoli
- Calories: 40
- Fat (g): 0
- Protein (g): 3
- Carbs (g): 7
- Net Carbs (g): 4
Strawberry Fields Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Calories: 130
- Fat (g): 10
- Protein (g): 6
- Carbs (g): 3
- Net Carbs (g): 3
Total
- Total Calories: 340
- Total Fat (g): 14
- Total Protein (g): 44
- Total Carbs (g): 12
- Total Net Carbs (g): 8
Meal #3 – Bunless Grilled Reuben Melt with Side Salad & Broccoli Cheese Soup
For those curious about staying in ketosis without losing weight, it is indeed possible, as demonstrated by this meal. At just over 700 calories, nearly 50 grams of fat, and just over 20 grams of carbs, this meal pushes the limits of what keto means but is ideal for those who have been in ketosis before and know what their limits are.
It would also be good for someone who thinks about fasting facts often since it is a calorie-dense meal that would only be eaten once a day.
Grilled Reuben Melt
- Calories: 440
- Fat (g): 34
- Protein (g): 31
- Carbs (g): 5
- Net Carbs (g): 1
Side Salad
- Calories: 50
- Fat (g): 2
- Protein (g): 2
- Carbs (g): 5
- Net Carbs (g): 4
Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Calories: 220
- Fat (g): 12
- Protein (g): 10
- Carbs (g): 17
- Net Carbs (g): 16
Total
- Total Calories: 710
- Total Fat (g): 48
- Total Protein (g): 43
- Total Carbs (g): 27
- Total Net Carbs (g): 21
While there are quite a few items at Culver’s that can be eaten while on the keto diet, after going through the entirety of Culvers keto menu, it can be observed that there are quite a few menu items that simply do not work for keto dieters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Eat A Keto Meal At Culvers?
Absolutely! Culvers has made a clear commitment to offering low-carb menu items to be more friendly to keto and low-carb eaters. They make it extremely easy to sub out specific ingredients like their burger bun to make eating at Culver’s on keto super simple.
Does Culver's Offer a Bunless or Lettuce-Wrapped Burger?
While there is no lettuce-wrapped burger on the official Culver’s menu, it is possible to order a burger without a bun. This is one of the most common keto modifications at Culver’s; all a person needs to do is ask for a bunless burger or lettuce-wrapped burger at checkout. Online, adding a note to the meal requiring one of the two is also required to make this keto variation a possibility.
Does Culver's Have Low Carb or Sugar-Free Custard?
Culvers is known for its delicious custard, but unfortunately, there is no low-carb or sugar-free option. This is one of the main reasons that Culvers is not on the recommended keto restaurants list. While it is possible to enjoy a few low-carb options at Culver’s, avoid the heavy desserts that they offer; instead, for people with a sweet tooth, incorporating protein shakes diet plans offers sweetness and protein.
References
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2Evans, M., & Amiel, S. A. (1998). Carbohydrates as a cerebral metabolic fuel. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1, 99-102. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9642647/>
3LauriPatterson. “Low Carb Lettuce Wrap.” Canva, 13 December 2011. Accessed 13 April 2023. <https://www.canva.com/photos/MAEIxNMTxUk-low-carb-lettuce-wrap-burger/>
4Abbasi, J. (2018). Interest in the Ketogenic Diet Grows for Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of the American Medical Association, 319, 215-217. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29340675/>
5Sumithran, P., Prendergast, L. A., Delbridge, E., Purcell, K., Shulkes, A., Kriketos, A., & Proietto, J. (2013). Ketosis and appetite-mediating nutrients and hormones after weight loss. The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 7, 759-64. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23632752/>
6Valadao, J. M., Vigilante, J. A., DiGeorge, N. W., O’Connor, S. E., Bear, A., Kenyon, J., Annis, H., Dituri, J., Dituri, A. E., & Whelan, H. T. (2014). Ketogenic diet for high partial pressure oxygen diving. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, 41(4), 331-5. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25109086/>
7nu-creation. “club sandwich and fries.” Canva. Accessed 13 April 2023. <https://www.canva.com/photos/MAEEh0xf8MA-club-sandwich-and-fries/>