Culver's ButterBurgers Menu with Prices (2026)
The ButterBurger is the reason Culver's exists. Every patty is fresh — never frozen — seared the moment you order it, and served on a bun that's been brushed with real Wisconsin butter before toasting. This guide covers every ButterBurger variation with current prices, calorie counts, size comparisons, customization options, and honest recommendations on what to order.
What Makes a ButterBurger a ButterBurger?
The name throws people off. A ButterBurger isn't a burger drowning in butter — it's about the bun. Culver's lightly brushes the crown of the bun with real Wisconsin butter (sourced from Alcam Creamery, a family-owned operation less than an hour from Culver's headquarters in Sauk City) and then toasts it on the grill. The result is a bun that's warm, slightly crispy, and noticeably richer than any standard fast-food bun. Craig Culver, the chain's co-founder, has said this is simply how his mom used to make burgers at home.
The beef itself is 100% fresh, never frozen, sourced from Midwest farms, and hand-pressed at each location. Each patty is seared to order on a flat-top grill, which means you're waiting a couple extra minutes compared to pre-made chains — but the difference in quality is real. Combined with the buttered bun, it creates a burger that sits comfortably between fast food and fast-casual without the fast-casual price tag.
Complete ButterBurger Price Table
Every ButterBurger is available in single, double, and sometimes triple patty options. Here's the full pricing breakdown:
| ButterBurger | Single | Double | Triple | Cal (Single) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original ButterBurger | $6.39 | $8.29 | $10.19 | ~390 |
| ButterBurger Cheese | $6.79 | $8.69 | $10.59 | ~440 |
| The Culver's Deluxe | $7.49 | $9.39 | $11.29 | ~510 |
| Bacon Deluxe | $8.79 | $10.69 | $11.79 | ~580 |
| Mushroom & Swiss | $7.99 | $9.89 | $11.79 | ~530 |
| Sourdough Melt | $7.49 | $9.39 | — | ~560 |
| Wisconsin Swiss Melt | $7.49 | $9.39 | — | ~520 |
Prices are approximate and may vary by location. ~ indicates estimated calorie values. Double/triple patties add proportional calories.
Single vs Double vs Triple — Which Size to Get?
This is the most common question first-timers have. Here's the honest answer: the single is enough. Culver's single patty is noticeably larger than what McDonald's or Wendy's serves — it's a proper, thick seared patty, not a thin disk. Pair a single with a Value Basket (adds fries + drink for ~$3 more) and you have a legit full meal.
The double is for days when you're genuinely hungry and want that double-stacked bite-to-beef ratio. The triple exists for people who want a challenge or are splitting the extra patty with someone. Price-wise, each additional patty costs roughly $1.90, which is fair but adds up fast — especially on the Bacon Deluxe where you're already pushing $11+.
ButterBurger Value Basket Prices
Every ButterBurger can be ordered as a Value Basket, which bundles it with Crinkle Cut Fries and a medium drink. The basket upgrade costs roughly $3 more than the standalone burger — and considering a medium drink alone is ~$2.49 and fries are ~$2.99, you're saving about $2.50 by going basket instead of à la carte. It's almost always the smarter play. For the full basket breakdown, check our Value Baskets guide.
| ButterBurger Basket | Single Basket | Double Basket | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original ButterBurger Basket | $9.49 | $11.39 | Burger + Fries + Medium Drink |
| ButterBurger Cheese Basket | $9.99 | $11.89 | Burger + Fries + Medium Drink |
| Culver's Deluxe Basket | $10.69 | $12.59 | Burger + Fries + Medium Drink |
| Bacon Deluxe Basket | $11.99 | $13.89 | Burger + Fries + Medium Drink |
| Mushroom & Swiss Basket | $11.19 | $13.09 | Burger + Fries + Medium Drink |
Customization Options
Every ButterBurger is made to order, which means you can customize freely. Here's what you can change:
Cheese choices: American (default), Cheddar, or Swiss. You can add extra cheese for a small upcharge or go cheeseless.
Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion (raw or grilled), mayo, ketchup, mustard. These are free to add or remove on any burger.
Add-ons (extra charge): Bacon, sautéed mushrooms, extra patty, jalapeños.
Bun options: Standard buttered bun, gluten-free bun (available at most locations), or lettuce wrap if you want to skip the bread entirely.
The one thing you can't change is the butter — that's non-negotiable. The bun gets buttered and toasted no matter what. That's the whole point.
🍔 5 ButterBurger Ordering Tips
- First-timer? Get the Culver's Deluxe single. It's the burger that shows you exactly what Culver's is about — fully dressed, perfectly balanced, nothing weird.
- Ask for grilled onions. They're free and they transform any ButterBurger. The caramelized sweetness against the seared beef is an underrated combo.
- Skip the triple. Two patties already make it a big burger. The triple makes it hard to eat without everything sliding out. Save the money and add a side of Cheese Curds instead.
- Go basket, always. The basket deal saves you ~$2.50 vs buying items separately. The only reason to skip it is if you genuinely don't want fries or a drink.
- Try the Sourdough Melt if you want something different. The grilled sourdough bread gives it a completely different texture — it's more of a patty melt vibe than a traditional burger.
How ButterBurgers Compare to Other Chains
Culver's sits in an interesting spot. It's priced below premium fast-casual chains like Five Guys ($11.99+ for a basic burger) and Shake Shack ($7.69+), but above the McDonald's/Wendy's tier. What you get for that middle-ground price is meaningful though: fresh beef instead of frozen, a buttered bun, made-to-order preparation, and table-service at some locations. If you're choosing between a drive-thru Double Quarter Pounder and a ButterBurger Deluxe, the Culver's option is a clear step up in quality for roughly the same money.
ButterBurger Calorie Breakdown by Size
If you're watching calories, size matters here more than you'd think. Going from single to double adds roughly 250-300 calories, and the jump to triple pushes most burgers well past 1,000. Here's the full calorie picture:
| ButterBurger | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original ButterBurger | ~390 cal | ~650 cal | ~910 cal |
| ButterBurger Cheese | ~440 cal | ~730 cal | ~1,020 cal |
| The Culver's Deluxe | ~510 cal | ~770 cal | ~1,030 cal |
| Bacon Deluxe | ~580 cal | ~840 cal | ~1,100 cal |
| Mushroom & Swiss | ~530 cal | ~790 cal | ~1,050 cal |
| Sourdough Melt | ~560 cal | ~820 cal | — |
| Wisconsin Swiss Melt | ~520 cal | ~780 cal | — |
Calorie values are estimates. Actual values vary by location and preparation. Add ~370 cal for Crinkle Cut Fries and ~200 cal for a medium fountain drink in a Value Basket.