Carl's Jr. under 500 calories: 17 orders, ranked

Of the 51 single orders we track at Carl's Jr., 17 come in at or under 500 calories — 33%. The most protein in one item under 500 is the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (5), 41 g for 440 calories; the most filling by protein and fiber per calorie is the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3) (25 g protein, 2 g fiber, 260 cal). 6 entrées fit under 500; 23 do not.

Source: Carl's Jr. nutrition guide (official) · Data refreshed October 8, 2026

• 17 orders under 500
• 41g most protein in one item
• 41g protein in a full meal
• 23 entrées over 500

As of October 2026, 17 of the 51 Carl's Jr. single orders we track come in at or under 500 calories, and the most protein in a complete Carl's Jr. meal under 500 is 41 g (5 Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders and a 12-ounce Coca-Cola Zero).

Three complete Carl's Jr. meals under 500 calories

Under 500, the most-protein meal is built on the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (5) (440 cal), which leaves 60 calories for its sides and drink. One meal-sized entrée, up to two different sides and a drink — the MinMax app's meal and the best under the cap, drink included (water only where no published drink fits; the lightest meal takes a zero-calorie drink, or water). The lightest meal is unchanged from under 400; the others use the extra 100 calories.

Build your own Carl's Jr. order under 500 calories → Swap any item, add a side, share the link.

Every Carl's Jr. order under 500 calories, ranked by protein

Single orders only — no desserts, kids' meals, combos, sauces or toppings — by grams of protein, then calories. The median order under 500 is 380 calories and 6 of the 17 are entrées. Figures as Carl's Jr. published them, rounded to whole numbers (how we check them).

What 500 calories buys at Carl's Jr.

Going from 400 to 500 calories adds 7 orders: Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich (440), Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (5) (440), Hash Rounds (Large) (450), Natural-Cut Fries (Large) (450), Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burrito (470), Spicy Chicken Sandwich (490) and Biscuit 'N' Gravy (500).

What doesn't fit under 500

23 of 29 Carl's Jr. entrées are over 500 calories; the lightest of them, the Jalapeño Double Cheeseburger, misses by 10 calories at 510. Tighter budget: Carl's Jr. under 400. Closest misses: Jalapeño Double Cheeseburger (510), California Classic Double Cheeseburger (520), Big Cheeseburger (540) and Zucchini Star (600).

More at Carl's Jr.

• Carl's Jr. calories & nutrition (61 items listed)
• Carl's Jr. under 400 calories (10 orders)
• High-protein Carl's Jr. orders (13 items)
• Carl's Jr. calorie calculator (build an order under your cap)

Under 500 calories at other chains

The same cap at 3 Burgers chains, or the cross-chain pillar: fast food under 500 calories.

• Hardee's under 500
• Shake Shack under 500
• In-N-Out Burger under 500