America’s love for burgers runs deep, but so do the health risks. As these fast food giants stack patties higher and slather on more bacon, calories quietly climb into dangerous territory. Some of these burgers pack nearly a day’s worth of energy into a single bite. Are they tasty? Absolutely. But experts are raising red flags, linking meals like these to rising obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
It’s comfort food, sure but maybe a little too comfortable for our own good. Let’s count down America’s most caloric burgers… from the ones that make you say “I deserve this”, to the ones that whisper, “So… how’s your cholesterol?”.
1. McDonald’s – Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (740 calories)
A classic with two thick patties, gooey cheese, ketchup, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. At 740 calories, it’s the lightest heavy hitter here. Not exactly healthy, but McDonald’s fans love it for its nostalgic, satisfying, and just greasy enough flavor.
2. Steak n’ Shake – Butter Steakburger (870 calories)
Don’t be fooled by the retro diner vibe, this Butter Steakburger means business. A seared, buttery masterpiece with rich beef, a grilled bun, and real butter, it clocks 870 calories. Indulgent, messy, and oddly comforting. Butter on a burger? Just wait… the next one’s even wilder.
3. Shake Shack – Double Veggie Shack (910 calories)
Wait… 910 calories for a veggie burger? Yep, modern fast food’s tricking us again. This plant-based beast doubles up on mushroom and sweet potato patties, loads on cheese and sauce, all in a toasted bun. Sure, it tastes great, but it’s a sneaky calorie ninja. So, maybe you should watch it.
4. Jack in the Box – Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger (930 calories)
This burger doesn’t whisper, it yells. Two beef patties, American and Swiss cheese, loads of bacon, mayo, ketchup, all stuffed in a toasted bun. At 930 calories, it’s greasy, gooey, and totally over the top. Jack really said, “Screw restraint!” here. But the next one’s even bigger.
5. Dairy Queen – Backyard Bacon Ranch Burger (Triple) (1,020 calories)
Dairy Queen’s triple-stacked burger packs over a thousand calories with beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and creamy ranch. It’s rich, messy, and tastes like a backyard cookout exploded. Definitely more of a commitment than just a meal.
6. Five Guys – Bacon Cheeseburger (1,060 calories)
Five Guys doesn’t do small portions. This bacon cheeseburger comes loaded with two patties, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and whatever toppings your heart or stomach desires. It’s juicy, indulgent, and kinda deceptively simple. But don’t get too comfy… this is just the warm up for what’s coming next. Triple trouble is waiting.
7. Whataburger – Triple Meat Whataburger® (1,075 calories)
Three patties, one massive bun, and zero shame. This burger is Texas-sized in every way–big on flavor, bigger on calories. At 1,075, it officially entered the danger zone. Juicy, greasy, and bold, it’s a full meal hiding in a wrapper. But the next burger is seasoned and scandalous.
8. Culvers – Pepper Grinder Pub Burger, Triple (1,130 calories)
Culvers doesn’t mess around when it comes to seasoning. This triple patty burger packs a peppery punch, melty cheese, and a rich bun that soaks up every last bit of flavor and grease. At 1,130 calories, it’s got both bite and bark. But the next one? Well, let’s just say mayo makes a dramatic comeback.
9. Sonic Drive-In – Supersonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger with Mayo (1,140 calories)
This burger isn’t just supersized, it’s supersonic. With two patties, layers of cheese, crispy bacon, and a hearty swipe of mayo, Sonic’s creation slides in at 1,140 calories. It’s loud, greasy, and proud. But buckle up… the next burger takes smoked flavor and turns it into a full on calorie ambush.
10. Carl’s Jr – The Really Big Carl (1,180 calories)
The name isn’t kidding. This thing is seriously big. Three beef patties, layers of cheese, special sauce, and a bun that’s barely holding it all together. It clocks in at 1,180 calories and honestly feels more like a dare than just a meal. The next one absolutely brings the brisket and the heat.
11. Wendy’s – Big Bacon Classic Triple (1,220 calories)
Wendy’s went all in three patties, loads of bacon, American cheese, and enough sauce to require napkins by the dozen. At 1,220 calories, it’s not just big, it’s bold. Every bite screams indulgence. But if you think this is the bacon finale, hold on tight. Guacamole’s crashing the party next.
12. Carl’s Jr – Double Guacamole Bacon Angus Burger (1,340 calories)
This one’s got it all: juicy Angus beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a scoop of creamy guac that tries to pretend it’s healthy. At 1,340 calories, it’s basically a fiesta on a bun. The flavor is incredible, which is exactly why it should be in jail for being so tasty and caloric.
13. Smashburger – Double Smoked Brisket Burger (1,270 calories)
Smoked brisket meets double beef patties in this smoky, saucy monster. At 1,270 calories, it’s not just a burger, it’s a full-on barbecue in your hands. Rich, messy, and ridiculously satisfying. But don’t exhale yet. We’re about to throw burnt ends into the mix, and things are about to escalate.
14. Smashburger – Double Carolina BBQ Burnt Ends Burger (1,280 calories)
Burnt ends. Double patties. Tangy Carolina BBQ sauce. This burger doesn’t just whisper Southern comfort… it practically shouts it with every smoky, meaty bite. At 1,280 calories, it’s pure delicious chaos wrapped up in a bun. Next up, we’re ditching the BBQ and diving headfirst into pretzel buns and those laid-back pub vibes.
15. Hardee’s – Monster Double Thickburger (1,420 calories)
This beast lives up to its name. Two one-third-pound beef patties, four strips of bacon, three slices of American cheese, and a generous slather of mayo on a buttered bun. It’s heavy, greasy, and makes no attempt to be subtle. It’s in our most wanted America’s Caloric burgers top 5!
16. Wendy’s – Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple (1,530 calories)
This burger is what happens when comfort food gets drunk. Three beef patties, crispy bacon, beer cheese sauce, fried onions, and a warm pretzel bun come together in glorious excess. At 1,530 calories, it’s basically a pub crawl in sandwich form.
17. Burger King – Bacon King (1,200 to 2,100 calories)
This one’s a wildcard. Depending on who’s counting, it can tip the scales at a terrifying 2,100 calories. Two quarter-pound patties, thick-cut bacon, American cheese, ketchup, mayo, it’s rich, reckless, and royally over the top. But even the King bows to one final boss. Brace yourself… because the next burger is an actual calorie titan.
18. Fatburger – XXXL (Triple Kingburger) (1,868 calories)
This isn’t a burger. It’s a challenge. Three massive patties, heaps of cheese, toppings galore, and enough grease to shine a bowling lane. At 1,868 calories, XXXL laughs in the face of portion control. It’s bold, it’s beefy, and it’s unapologetically extra. It is the guiltiest on this list, that’s for sure!
19. Conclusion
So there you have it…the heavyweights, the gut busters, the fast food legends your cardiologist probably has nightmares about. These burgers aren’t just meals, they’re full blown events. And sure, they taste amazing when you’re in the moment, but their long term impact may not be so nice.