The Shocking Truth About Texas Roadhouse Calories: 15 Menu Items Ranked From Lightest To Heaviest (2025 Guide)

Planning a meal at Texas Roadhouse in December 2025? While the famous rolls and cinnamon butter are a delightful start, navigating the full menu for your calorie and nutrition goals can feel like a ride on a bucking bronco. The reality is that the difference between a smart, high-protein meal and a single dish that blows your entire daily calorie budget can be over 1,000 calories. This comprehensive, up-to-date nutritional guide breaks down the latest calorie counts for the most popular Texas Roadhouse items, giving you the power to enjoy your favorite steakhouse without derailing your diet. The key to mastering the Texas Roadhouse menu is understanding where the hidden calories lie—often in the appetizers, dressings, sauces, and certain side dish preparations. We've done the deep dive into the 2025 Texas Roadhouse nutritional facts to reveal the lightest and heaviest hitters, ensuring your next visit is both delicious and guilt-free.

The Calorie Shockers: 5 Texas Roadhouse Items That Blow Your Daily Budget

It’s easy to overlook the true caloric impact of appetizers and large-format meals, especially when you’re sharing or indulging. Many of the most popular, craveable items at Texas Roadhouse pack a massive punch, often exceeding 1,000 calories before you even touch your main entree. Understanding these "calorie shockers" is the first step in making healthier choices.

Here are five of the heaviest hitters you might want to split or skip:

• Chili Cheese Fries: This appetizer is a notorious calorie bomb. A full order contains a staggering 1,460 calories, 77 grams of fat, and an alarming 6,160 milligrams of sodium, which is more than double the daily recommended sodium intake. Even if split, this is a massive start to any meal.
• Bone-In Ribeye (16 oz): While a beautifully marbled and flavorful cut, the larger ribeye steaks can easily top 1,000 calories. This doesn't even account for any butter or seasoning added during the cooking process, making it a high-fat, high-calorie indulgence best saved for special occasions.
• Chicken Caesar Salad: Don't let the word "salad" fool you. Due to the creamy dressing, croutons, and cheese, a typical Chicken Caesar Salad can soar to 1,100 calories. If you're looking for a lighter salad option, always opt for dressing on the side and choose grilled protein.
• Texas Roadhouse Rolls (Per Serving): While the exact calorie count for a single roll is debated, a standard basket meant for sharing can contribute hundreds of calories, especially when slathered with the famous cinnamon butter. Be mindful of how many you consume, as they are often an unconscious calorie addition.
• Chicken Critters (Fried Chicken Strips): A typical order of these fried chicken strips is around 750 calories. The frying process significantly increases the fat and calorie content compared to grilled options. Paired with a dipping sauce, the count will be even higher.

The Saviors: 5 Best Low-Calorie, High-Protein Entrees Under 500 Calories

For those focused on weight loss, fitness goals, or macro tracking, Texas Roadhouse offers plenty of protein-packed options that are surprisingly low in calories. The key is to stick to grilled, lean proteins and avoid heavy sauces or breading. These choices prove you can enjoy a steakhouse meal and stay on track.

Here are five of the best low-calorie entrees on the menu:

• Sirloin Kabob: At just 190 calories, the Sirloin Kabob is one of the absolute lowest-calorie beef options available. It features lean sirloin steak pieces skewered with vegetables, making it a balanced and flavorful choice.
• Dallas Fillet (6 oz): The Dallas Fillet is a tender, lean cut that comes in at only 220 calories for the 6-ounce portion. This is a fantastic option for steak lovers who want to keep their fat intake low.
• USDA Choice Sirloin (6 oz): A staple for healthy eaters, the 6-ounce sirloin steak contains approximately 250 calories. Sirloin is a lean cut of beef, high in protein, and a staple of any balanced meal plan.
• Herb Crusted Chicken: This grilled chicken option is a great source of lean protein and typically falls under 300 calories (depending on exact preparation). It offers a flavorful alternative to steak without the added fat of fried dishes.
• Grilled Salmon Salad: While the Chicken Caesar is high, the Grilled Salmon Salad is a much better option, coming in around 830 calories. To make it even healthier, ask for half the dressing or dressing on the side. The salmon provides healthy Omega-3 fats.

The Side Hustle: 5 Best and Worst Side Dish Calorie Counts

The side dishes at Texas Roadhouse can be a major source of hidden calories and fat. A plain baked potato, for example, is a decent choice, but loading it with toppings can quickly turn it into a high-calorie disaster. Conversely, many vegetable sides are excellent, low-calorie fillers.

Here is a breakdown of 5 common sides, ranked by their approximate calorie count:

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

1. Green Beans: The absolute best side choice at only 100 calories. They are a great source of fiber and a perfect, guilt-free accompaniment to any entree.
2. Applesauce: A light and sweet option, applesauce contains about 110 calories.
3. Sauteed Mushrooms: A flavorful and low-carb addition, the sauteed mushrooms are approximately 120 calories.
4. Sauteed Onions: Similar to the mushrooms, the sauteed onions are a good choice at about 150 calories.
5. Plain Baked Potato: A baked potato without any toppings is roughly 380 calories. However, be warned: adding butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits can easily push this side dish over 700 calories, making it heavier than a 6oz sirloin steak!

Your Low-Calorie Texas Roadhouse Ordering Strategy

To maintain topical authority and provide a complete guide, mastering the "how-to" of ordering is crucial. Even with the knowledge of individual item calories, the way you customize your meal can make or break your diet goals. Use these simple but effective strategies:

1. Customize Your Steak Order

Always choose the leanest cuts and the smallest size available. The 6-ounce Sirloin or Dallas Fillet is your best friend. When ordering, specifically request your steak to be cooked without the butter topping, which is a common addition that adds unnecessary fat and calories. Ask for a dry rub or simple seasoning instead.

2. Say No to the Rolls (or Just One)

Those irresistible Texas Roadhouse rolls are a complimentary treat, but they are not free of calories. To cut down significantly, ask your server to hold the basket entirely, or limit yourself to just one roll without the cinnamon butter. This simple step can save you hundreds of calories.

3. Dressings and Sauces on the Side

This is a golden rule for any restaurant. Dressings, especially creamy ones like Ranch or Caesar, are often the biggest source of hidden calories in salads and entrees. Ordering them on the side allows you to control the portion, often using only a fraction of what would normally be poured on your plate.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

4. Double Up on Low-Calorie Sides

Instead of a high-calorie side like mashed potatoes with gravy or steak fries, request two low-calorie vegetable sides. Excellent choices include Green Beans, Sauteed Mushrooms, or Fresh Vegetables. This strategy fills you up with fiber and nutrients while keeping your overall meal light.

5. Be Wary of "Grilled" Salads

As noted earlier, even a "grilled" salad can be a high-calorie choice due to the sheer volume of cheese, croutons, and dressing. If you order a salad, stick to a vinaigrette dressing, ask for no cheese or croutons, and opt for a grilled protein like chicken or shrimp. The Grilled Shrimp Salad (660 calories) or a modified Grilled Salmon Salad (830 calories before modifications) can be a great, high-protein meal.