Quick Answer
A double cheeseburger with bacon can contain anywhere from 800 to 1500 calories depending on the restaurant and toppings. On average, a double cheeseburger with bacon contains about 1100-1300 calories.
Calories in Popular Double Cheeseburgers with Bacon
| Restaurant | Burger | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese & Bacon | 780 |
| Burger King | Double Cheeseburger with Bacon | 670 |
| Wendy’s | Bacon Double Stack | 670 |
| Five Guys | Double Cheeseburger with Bacon | 1400 |
| In-N-Out | Double Double with Bacon | 850 |
As you can see in the table above, calories can vary significantly depending on the restaurant. Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King tend to have options in the 700-800 calorie range. More premium burger joints like Five Guys are closer to 1400 calories. The size of the patties, type of bun, and quantity of toppings all impact the total calories.
Calories in a Homemade Double Cheeseburger with Bacon
For a homemade double cheeseburger with bacon, the calories will depend on the ingredients you use. Here are some estimates:
- Buns: About 150 calories per bun, so 300 calories total for a double cheeseburger.
- Beef patties: Roughly 230 calories per 4 oz patty, so 460 calories total for two 4 oz patties.
- Cheese: About 50 calories per slice, so 100 calories total for two slices of cheese.
- Bacon: Roughly 45 calories for two slices of bacon.
- Condiments: Around 100 calories total for condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.
Based on these estimates, a homemade double cheeseburger with bacon would contain about:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| Buns | 300 |
| Beef Patties | 460 |
| Cheese | 100 |
| Bacon | 45 |
| Condiments | 100 |
| Total Calories | 1005 |
So a reasonable estimate for a homemade double cheeseburger with bacon would be around 1000 calories, give or take a few hundred calories depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes.
Factors that Impact the Calories in a Double Cheeseburger with Bacon
There are a several factors that determine the calories in a double cheeseburger with bacon:
Size of the Beef Patties
Larger patties mean more calories, since beef provides a significant amount of calories. Most fast food burgers use patties around 4 ounces. Some premium burgers have 6-8 ounce patties or even up to a half pound patties, which can double the calories from the beef.
Type of Bun
Some buns are more dense and higher in calories, like brioche buns. Lighter buns like regular sesame seed hamburger buns tend to be 100-150 calories. Thick bakery-style buns can be 200 calories or more.
Amount and Type of Cheese
More cheese means more calories. And some cheeses are higher in fat and calories than others. For example, a slice of cheddar cheese may have 50 calories while a thick slice of brie may have 90+ calories.
Quantity of Bacon
Of course more slices of bacon increase the total calories. Two regular slices of bacon may have around 90 calories total. Four slices can double that amount.
Type of Condiments
Condiments like mayonnaise and bacon sauce add more calories than mustard or ketchup. Some aioli-based sauces can have 200+ calories per tablespoon.
Cooking Method
Frying the burger and bacon will add more fat and calories vs grilling them. Deep frying can add a significant amount of calories from the oil.
Portion Size
A larger double cheeseburger with twice as much of every ingredient will clearly contain more calories than a regular sized one. Pay attention to restaurant portion sizes which are often 2-3 times a normal serving.
How to Make a Lower Calorie Double Cheeseburger with Bacon
To reduce the calories in a double cheeseburger with bacon while keeping the flavor, consider these tips:
- Use smaller 4 oz beef patties instead of huge quarter pounders or half pounders.
- Choose a light whole wheat bun instead of thick bakery-style buns.
- Use just 1 slice of cheese instead of 2.
- Opt for lean turkey bacon instead of regular bacon to reduce fat and calories.
- Load up on veggie toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles instead of sauces.
- If using condiments, stick to mustard, ketchup, relish instead of mayo.
- Bake the patties in the oven instead of frying them.
- Watch your portion size and consider splitting the burger in half to avoid overeating.
Making these simple swaps and adjustments can save you several hundred calories while still enjoying a satisfying burger.
Nutritional Benefits of Ingredients in a Double Cheeseburger with Bacon
While high in calories, a double cheeseburger with bacon does provide some nutritional value:
Beef
Beef is a good source of protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Lean beef contains around 25 grams of protein per 4 ounce uncooked patty. The iron and zinc support red blood cell production and immune function.
Cheese
Cheese provides protein and calcium for bone health. One ounce of cheddar cheese provides about 7 grams of protein and 200 mg of calcium. Cheese also contains vitamin A, B12, riboflavin, and phosphorus.
Bacon
Bacon provides protein, as well as small amounts of iron, zinc, thiamine, vitamin B6, and magnesium. Two slices contains about 7 grams of protein.
Bun
The bun, especially whole grain, provides carbohydrates, fiber, B vitamins like thiamine and folic acid, and small amounts of calcium, iron and zinc.
Veggies
Any veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions add fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and potassium.
So while high in fat and calories, the double cheeseburger with bacon does deliver some useful vitamins, minerals, protein and energy when consumed in moderation.
Conclusion
A double cheeseburger with bacon can range from 700-1500 calories depending on where you get it and what ingredients are used. On average, most fast food versions contain 1100-1300 calories, while gourmet burgers may have up to 1500 calories. A homemade double cheeseburger with bacon has around 1000 calories, but this can vary based on portion sizes and cooking method. While the calorie count is high, some of the nutritional benefits include protein, calcium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and some fiber and vitamins from veggie toppings. Limiting portion size, choosing leaner meats and cheeses, and loading up on veggies can reduce the calories while still providing the satisfying burger flavor.
