A Whopper sandwich from Burger King is a popular fast food burger that typically comes with a sesame seed bun. However, some customers may order a Whopper without the bun, either to reduce overall carb intake or due to gluten sensitivity. So how many carbs are in a Whopper without the bun?
Quick Answer
A Whopper sandwich without the bun contains around 5 grams of net carbs, coming mostly from the burger patty, cheese, mayonnaise, and tomatoes. The exact carb count may vary slightly depending on burger toppings and condiments.
Detailed Nutrition Information on the Whopper Without Bun
Here is a detailed breakdown of the nutrition facts for a Whopper without the bun, based on information from Burger King:
| Whopper Ingredient | Serving Size | Total Carbs (g) | Dietary Fiber (g) | Net Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Patty | 1 patty (2.8 oz) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cheese Slice | 1 slice (0.8 oz) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ketchup | 1 packet (0.8 oz) | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Mayonnaise | 1 packet (0.4 oz) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Onions | 1 slice | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Pickles | 2 dill pickle slices | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Tomatoes | 1 slice | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 2 | 5 |
As shown in the table above, the total carbs in a standard Whopper without the bun is around 9 grams. After subtracting 2 grams of dietary fiber, the net carbs come out to approximately 5 grams.
The beef patty itself contains no carbs. The small amount of carbs come mainly from the cheese, ketchup, pickles, onions, and tomatoes. The mayonnaise and special Whopper sauce add minimal carbs.
How Many Carbs in a Whopper with Cheese Only
Ordering a Whopper sandwich as a “cheeseburger” style with just the beef patty and cheese slice will further reduce the carbs. This version would contain only 1 gram of net carbs from the cheese.
Low Carb Options for Ordering a Whopper
Here are some tips for reducing carbs when ordering a Whopper:
- Request no bun and no condiments except mayonnaise
- Order extra tomatoes, onions, pickles instead of ketchup for flavor
- Ask for lettuce wrap instead of bun
- Get just the beef patty and cheese (cheeseburger style)
- Skip high-carb condiments like ketchup and special sauce
How Many Carbs in a Whopper Jr Without Bun
The Whopper Jr is a smaller version of the regular Whopper, with a 4 oz beef patty instead of the standard 4.25 oz patty. Removing the bun from a Whopper Jr results in about 3-4 grams of net carbs from the burger toppings and cheese.
Comparing Nutrition at Other Fast Food Chains
Here’s how the carb count of a Whopper no bun compares to similar burger offerings from other major fast food restaurants:
| Restaurant | Burger | Net Carbs Without Bun |
|---|---|---|
| Burger King | Whopper | 5g |
| McDonald’s | Big Mac | 8g |
| Wendy’s | Dave’s Single | 4g |
| Hardee’s | Big Cheeseburger | 3g |
| Carl’s Jr. | Big Carl | 7g |
As shown above, bunless Whopper is moderate in net carbs compared to similar large burgers from other chains. It has slightly more carbs than a basic cheeseburger from Wendy’s or Hardee’s, but fewer carbs than a Big Mac or Big Carl.
Tips for Low Carb Eating at Burger King
Here are some general tips for reducing carbs when eating at Burger King:
- Order burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun
- Choose grilled chicken sandwiches instead of beef
- Skip the ketchup, special sauce, and other sugary condiments
- Order a side salad instead of fries for your side
- Drink unsweetened iced tea, coffee, or water instead of soda
- Stick to sandwiches that are primarily meat and cheese
- Avoid breaded and fried items like chicken tenders or fish sandwiches
With smart menu choices, people watching their carb intake can still enjoy Burger King occasionally. Focus on customizing your meal to avoid unnecessary carbs from condiments, sides, and buns.
How Many Carbs in a Whopper Dog Without Bun
The Whopper Dog is Burger King’s hot dog offering. A Whopper Dog ordered without the bun provides the following nutrition:
- Fat: 16g
- Protein: 10g
- Net carbs: Less than 1g
- Calories: 188
So a Whopper Dog with no bun is an extremely low-carb menu option, with less than 1 gram of net carb in the hot dog itself. Add mustard instead of ketchup or sugary sauces to keep it keto-friendly.
Lower Carb Sides to Order With a Whopper
To make your Whopper meal even lower carb, pay attention to your side dish selection. Here are some better options than fries:
- Onion rings – About 14g net carbs for a small
- Caesar side salad – Around 4g net carbs without croutons or dressing
- Apple slices – About 15g net carbs for a regular sized pack
- Vanilla soft serve cone – Roughly 5g net carbs for a small
While not exactly low-carb, these sides offer a reduction in carbs compared to a standard order of fries, which provide about 35-40g net carbs depending on size.
What About Carbs in Whopper Sandwiches With Bun?
Ordering a Whopper in its full sandwich form with the bun significantly increases the carb count. Here are the net carbs when served as a complete sandwich:
- Whopper Sandwich – Around 45g net carbs
- Whopper Jr Sandwich – About 37g net carbs
As you can see, the sesame seed bun itself contributes about 40g net carbs to the sandwich. So avoiding the bun makes a dramatic reduction in carbs.
Should You Eat a Whopper on a Low Carb or Keto Diet?
On a strict keto diet aiming for around 20-30g net carbs per day, a Whopper without the bun could fit into your daily carb limit alongside other low carb foods. However, those following a more moderate low-carb diet with 50-100g daily carbs may be able to work in half a Whopper sandwich along with their other meals.
In general, its best to consider Whopper sandwiches an occasional treat if you are watching carbs. Focus on making the rest of your meals that day low carb to compensate.
Other Tips for Ordering a Whopper On a Low Carb Diet
Here are some other tips for ordering a Whopper on a low carb or keto diet:
- Hold the ketchup and special sauce
- Ask for extra pickles and mustard for flavor
- Choose diet soda or water instead of regular soda
- Opt for a side salad with vinaigrette instead of fries
- Order some bacon slices as an add-on for more fat
- Get it “Protein Style” wrapped in lettuce leaves
- Request no onions or tomatoes if watching total carbs
Low Carb Breakfast at Burger King
Burger King also offers some lower carb breakfast options for those limiting carbs:
- Egg and cheese croissan’wich – No bun or hash browns
- Bacon and egg on a steakhouse patty – No bun
- Sausage patties – Ask for no biscuit
- Burger King Coffee – Add heavy cream
Stick to the meaty egg dishes without the starchy sides and buns for best results.
Is a Whopper Keto-Friendly?
While not 100% keto, a Whopper ordered “no bun” can fit into a ketogenic diet providing it is a low carb day and you account for the carbs. A standard Whopper sandwich with bun is too high in carbs for keto at around 45g net carbs.
For a more keto-friendly option, order a double stack of beef patties and cheese only. Add bacon and avoid any sugary sauces or high carb toppings.
Should You Eat Whoppers if You Have Diabetes?
People with diabetes need to watch their overall carb intake. While a Whopper without bun is lower in carbs than a regular sandwich, it may still be higher in carbs than ideal for a diabetes-friendly meal.
Those with diabetes should be mindful of their carb limits at each meal, typically about 15-30g per meal. Consuming a Whopper sandwich could use a big chunk of your daily carb budget.
When ordered without the bun and high carb toppings, a Whopper can be an occasional lower carb option. But in general, its best to focus on more wholesome, nutritious foods in your day-to-day diabetes diet.
Cooking a Low Carb Whopper-Style Burger at Home
Making your own Whopper-style burger at home can allow you to control the carb count. Follow this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- Burger seasoning
- 2 slices cheese
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Dill pickles
- Yellow mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Onion slices
Instructions:
- Form the ground beef into two patties seasoned with burger seasoning. Grill to your desired doneness.
- Place each cooked patty on a lettuce leaf. Top with a slice of cheese.
- Add the desired vegetables and condiments.
- Wrap the lettuce leaf around patty like a bun.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your lower carb Whopper-style burger.
Conclusion
Ordering a Whopper without the bun significantly reduces the carbs, bringing it down to around 5g net carbs. While not truly low in carbs, it can be accommodated into a moderately low carb or ketogenic diet when ordered without the bun and high sugar condiments.
To make your Whopper work for a low carb lifestyle, customize it to avoid excess carbs by holding the bun and asking for extra veggies instead of sugary sauces. With smart adjustments, you can still enjoy an occasional Whopper on a low carb diet.
