Hamburger (Burger King)
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A Burger King hamburger is a classic fast-food sandwich featuring a flame-grilled beef patty, soft sesame seed bun, and simple condiments like ketchup, mustard, and pickles. It delivers a savory, smoky flavor with a soft, slightly chewy texture from the bun and a juicy, meaty bite. Nutritionally, it provides a solid source of protein (13.63g per 100g) but is also calorie-dense and contains moderate fat and sodium.
Calorie split: 22% protein · 41% carbs · 37% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its iconic, satisfying combination of savory flame-grilled beef, tangy pickles, and soft bun, which delivers a reliable burst of umami. It's a cultural staple of American fast food, representing convenience, affordability, and a taste of nostalgia for many.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium and refined carbohydrate content can contribute to blood pressure concerns and blood-sugar spikes, especially for those with insulin resistance. To counteract this, pair it with a side salad or steamed vegetables for fiber, and consider eating only half the bun to reduce the glycemic load. Those with gluten or sesame allergies should exercise caution.
Key benefits
- Good source of protein for muscle maintenance.
- Convenient and quick source of energy and calories.
- Flame-grilled cooking method adds a distinct smoky flavor.
- Simple, familiar flavor profile appeals to a wide audience.
- Contains some iron and B vitamins from the beef.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Burger King's signature flame-grilling process, which gives the patty its distinct smoky taste, was a key differentiator when the company was founded in 1954.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 48.4 g |
| Energy | 254 kcal |
| Protein | 13.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 26.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 80.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.7 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 21.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 121 mg |
| Potassium, K | 199 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 400 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 22.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.90 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.29 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 55.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 26.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 29.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 73.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 36.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 18.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 564 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 25.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.22 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.27 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 31.0 mg |
FAQ
Is a Burger King hamburger a good source of protein?
Yes, it provides a moderate amount of protein (about 16 grams for a standard hamburger), which is beneficial for muscle repair and satiety.
How does the flame-grilling affect the nutrition?
Flame-grilling allows some fat to drip away during cooking, which can slightly reduce the total fat content compared to frying, but it also creates characteristic char marks and flavor.
What are the main allergens in a Burger King hamburger?
The primary allergens are wheat (in the bun) and sesame (on the bun). The beef patty itself is typically gluten-free, but cross-contamination is possible.
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 2.54 kcal/g · 21% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 4.7 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: 2.01 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.