If you live in the Midwest, you definitely know about Culver's. Known for their fried foods, frozen custard, and ButterBurgers (yes, they actually serve a dish called a ButterBurger), Culver's is just as delicious as it sounds.Culver's is basically a state fair open year-round, without the marked-up prices and super-sketchy rides. A midwestern dream come true, if you will.
If you have Celiac Disease or are avoiding gluten, it may seem as though Culver's indulgent menu is off-limits. With their main menu item being placed on a bun, it can be quite scary to dine here for anyone who doesn't eat gluten. Never fear, Culver's offers a variety of gluten-friendly meals, shakes, and sides.
With some simple modifications, almost everything on the menu can be a gluten-free option.Here's the full run-through of the gluten-free Culver's menu items.
#SpoonTip: Culver's has an entire gluten-free guidethat lists all its gluten-free menu items.
Burgers
Fantastic news: all the ButterBurgers at Culver's can be made gluten-free by asking for a gluten-free bun. There are several variations on the classic ButterBurger, but they all should be safe if you swap out the bun for a gluten-free one.
However, the Nutrient and Allergen Guideon their website warns that all of their meats are grilled on a surface that is also used to cook items with gluten, so you might want to steer clear if you have a serious allergy. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Salads
I know no one goes to Culver's for the salad. But here's the thing: all of their salads are gluten-free if you order them without croutons, and they come with the same grilled chicken that's served on their grilled chicken sandwiches.
If you're looking for a healthier option, their salads aren't a bad call. As far as fast-food salads go, they're pretty low in calories and have decently interesting flavor combinations. They do have a substantial amount of sodium, but that's to be expected from anything at a fast-food restaurant.To make them healthier, order the dressing on the side.
As with the burgers, the chicken is grilled on a surface that is also used to cook glutinous items, so proceed with caution if your allergy is severe.
#SpoonTip: The gluten-free salad dressings are bleu cheese, French, honey mustard, ranch, and raspberry vinaigrette.
Soups
As with the salads, it seems a little strange to order soup at a fast food restaurant. However, it gets pretty cold here in the Midwest during the winter, and sometimes a cozy bowl of soup is exactly what you need.If that's the case for you, there are four gluten-free Culver's soups: George's Chili, Baja Chicken Enchilada, Broccoli Cheese, and Potato Au Gratin. Just make sure you skip the crackers on the side.
Sides
Here's where things get sad. Some of the most enticing options on the Culver's menu – fries, cheese curds, onion rings – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with any of these sides. Instead, supplement your meal with the next, more important item on this list.
Frozen Custard
Besides cheese curds and ButterBurgers, the most famous item on the Culver's menu is their frozen custard. A richer version of ice cream, this stuff is worth a trip to Culver's on its own. Let's be real, what's a trip to Culver's without a huge cup of creamy, thick custard?
All of the flavors are gluten-free, as are most of the toppings and mix-ins. Unfortunately, cookie dough and brownie bites are off the table, but there are still plenty of options. You can order a simple scoop, a shake, or one of their concrete mixers, which is comparable to aDQ blizzard. Arguably, this is the best gluten-free Culver's order.
#SpoonTip: Skip the cone when ordering your custard.
Overall, the Culver's menu is fairly gluten-free friendly. Although you can't get fries or curds, there's a pretty decent range of options that includes some of their most popular menu items.As long as you know how to work the menu, practically any restaurant can suit your food needs. It might just be my midwestern bias, but I'd say Culver's is one of the best fast food restaurants for people with dietary restrictions.
FAQs
Burgers. Fantastic news: all the ButterBurgers at Culver's can be made gluten-free by asking for a gluten-free bun. There are several variations on the classic ButterBurger, but they all should be safe if you swap out the bun for a gluten-free one.
Why are Culver's fries not gluten-free? ›
However, the frying oil at Culver's is typically shared with other foods, so there is high risk of cross-contact with other items that contain gluten, for example breaded chicken tenders or fish. For this reason, Culver's can't guarantee that the fries are completely gluten-free.
What is the most unhealthy thing at Culvers? ›
Worst: Culver's Curderburger
"Eating foods like this puts you at risk for heart disease as trans fat has been banned and saturated fat is recommended to limit to five to six percent of total daily calories (or about 13 grams for most people) according to the American Heart Association.
What to look for if you are gluten-free? ›
Avoid all products with wheat, rye, barley, malt, or triticale in the ingredient label. Even if a packaged food product is labeled "gluten-free," you should check for these ingredients as mistakes in labeling can happen. The only exception for this is wheat starch.
What is gluten did you know that most people who are gluten-free do not even know what gluten is? ›
“Gluten is a protein found in the wheat plant and some other grains,” explains Rajagopal. Gluten is naturally occurring, but it can be extracted, concentrated and added to food and other products to add protein, texture and flavor. It also works as a binding agent to hold processed foods together and give them shape.
Are battered french fries gluten free? ›
Fries are now commonly breaded, giving them a crispier texture. These fries cannot be consumed by someone who is gluten intolerant. Fries that are cooked in a shared fryer with other products may have cross contamination even if they don't have any ingredients containing gluten.
Do Culvers cheese curds have gluten? ›
Some of the most enticing options on the Culver's menu – fries, cheese curds, onion rings – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw. Personally, I wouldn't bother with any of these sides.
Is Culvers custard better for you than ice cream? ›
Brands vary, but vanilla ice-cream typically has about 10 per cent more calories than custard, as well as twice the saturated fat, less protein and half the calcium and potassium. However, ice-cream usually has less sugar and salt, too.
What is the healthiest option at Culvers? ›
The healthiest food on the menu at Culver's will always be a salad with raw vegetables, grilled chicken, and water. But, there are also decent alternative options at Culver's if you are not in the mood for that. The Chicken Cashew Salad has 460 calories, 870 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, and a generous 46 g protein.
Who is Culver's biggest rival? ›
Culver's main competitors are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Papa Murphy's, and Darden Restaurants.
FAQs about gluten intolerance symptoms
The intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.
How to get rid of a gluten belly? ›
The best remedy for gluten belly is time. However, hydrating, resting, consuming peppermint or ginger, or using a heating pad can help you find momentary relief.
Do people with celiac gain weight after going gluten-free? ›
People with celiac disease may experience weight gain after starting a gluten-free diet; this initial weight gain indicates that their intestinal health is improving and they are more effectively absorbing nutrients. However, gaining too much weight can lead to multiple health problems.
How did your poop change after going gluten-free? ›
After starting a gluten-free diet, 6.2% of the patients who had not had diarrhea before the diagnosis of celiac disease experienced diarrhea. Constipation occurred in 18.6%; in many cases, it responded to a subsequent increase in fiber intake.
What happens when you stop eating gluten? ›
Some people report feeling dizziness, nausea, extreme hunger and even anxiety and depression when they suddenly go from eating a lot of gluten to being gluten-free. These symptoms usually go away after a few weeks on a gluten-free diet, but talk to your health care provider if they persist.
What disease causes you to be gluten-free? ›
Celiac disease is an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine.
Why would French fries not be gluten-free? ›
It is easy to believe that the fries are gluten-free because potatoes are on your safe list. However, restaurants often have only one fryer, and once your French fries have been deep fried in the oil they also used to fry the chicken nuggets, well, I hate to break it to you, but your fries are no longer gluten-free.
Why are McDonald's fries not gluten-free? ›
On its website, McDonald's says its fries contain potatoes, vegetable oil, dextrose, a food additive to “maintain color” in the finished fries, and another additive listed as “Natural Beef Flavor.” That ingredient comes with an asterisk noting that the flavoring contains both hydrolyzed milk and hydrolyzed wheat.
Why are sweet potato fries not gluten-free? ›
Sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free. The only problem that arises is in how they are prepared. For example, are they prepared in an area or on a surface that is shared with gluten-containing ingredients? Are they fried in a deep fryer that also fries foods that contain gluten?
Why are Outback fries not gluten-free? ›
Are Outbacks french fries gluten-free? Outback's Aussie Fries are not gluten-free in the USA due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination. However, Outback does offer several dedicated gluten-free options, including grilled meats, steamed vegetables, and side salads.
