BURGER KING, Cheeseburger
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
A fast-food staple, the Burger King Cheeseburger is a small, flame-grilled beef patty topped with a slice of American cheese, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on a soft, toasted sesame seed bun. It delivers a classic savory, salty, and slightly tangy flavor profile with a satisfying, juicy bite from the patty and a creamy melt from the cheese. Nutritionally, it's a moderate-calorie, protein-rich option, though its fat and sodium content are notable for its size.
Calorie split: 20% protein · 33% carbs · 47% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its iconic, no-frills fast-food taste—the combination of flame-grilled beef, melted cheese, and tangy condiments is a comforting, nostalgic flavor. It's a quick, affordable, and satisfying meal that hits a specific savory craving.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The relatively high sodium and saturated fat content can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract, pair it with a side salad or apple slices instead of fries, and drink water. The refined white bun can cause a blood-sugar spike; opting for a lettuce wrap or eating half the bun can help moderate this.
Key benefits
- Good source of complete protein from beef and cheese.
- Provides a quick and convenient energy source.
- Contains calcium from the American cheese slice.
- Offers a familiar and comforting taste profile.
- Flame-grilling adds a distinct, smoky flavor.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Burger King Cheeseburger has remained a core menu item since the chain's founding in 1954, making it a direct competitor to the McDonald's hamburger in the so-called 'burger wars' for decades.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 44.6 g |
| Energy | 286 kcal |
| Energy | 1198 kj |
| Protein | 14.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.8 g |
| Ash | 2.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 23.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g |
| Sucrose | 1.7 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 1.9 g |
| Lactose | 0.07 g |
| Maltose | 0.73 g |
| Galactose | 0.15 g |
| Starch | 18.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 93.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 143 mg |
| Potassium, K | 178 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 602 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.29 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 24.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.30 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 3.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.10 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.48 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.14 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.7 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.70 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.68 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.7 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.46 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 i | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 45.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.50 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.56 g |
| Leucine | 1.1 g |
| Lysine | 0.94 g |
| Methionine | 0.30 g |
| Cystine | 0.20 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.66 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.43 g |
| Valine | 0.65 g |
| Arginine | 0.77 g |
| Histidine | 0.37 g |
| Alanine | 0.62 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.97 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.89 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 0.60 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.16 g |
FAQ
How does the Burger King Cheeseburger differ from a McDonald's hamburger?
The primary difference is the cooking method: Burger King flame-grills its patties, imparting a smoky flavor, while McDonald's griddles its patties on a flat-top, resulting in a different sear and texture. The condiment profiles also differ slightly.
Is the cheese real American cheese?
Burger King uses a processed American cheese product, which is designed to melt smoothly and consistently, providing the classic creamy texture and salty flavor associated with fast-food cheeseburgers.
Can I customize my order to make it healthier?
Yes. You can request no mayo or sauce, add extra lettuce/tomato/onion, or ask for it 'plain' to control condiments. Choosing a side salad or apple slices instead of fries significantly reduces calories and sodium.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.86 kcal/g · 20% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 4.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.38 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.