Buffalo Wild Wings Calories, Macros & Nutrition

Game day is here, the crew is hungry, and someone inevitably says, "Let's go to B-Dubs." It's a classic for a reason: endless TVs, a lively atmosphere, and a menu centered around the universal joy of chicken wings. But navigating that menu can feel like a sport in itself. Between the sauces, the rubs, the burgers, and the appetizers, making a choice that aligns with your health goals can be a shot in the dark. That's where we come in. With Snackly, you don't have to guess. You can scan the menu before you even leave the house and walk in with a game plan.

What to Know Before You Order

Buffalo Wild Wings is the quintessential American sports bar and grill, beloved by everyone from college students to families. While the name says it all—wings are the star—the menu is vast, featuring burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and salads. This variety is precisely what makes ordering tricky. Many assume that ordering chicken is always a "safer" bet than a beef burger, but at B-Dubs, that's not always the case. For example, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich packs in 910 calories, significantly more than the 840-calorie Classic Cheeseburger. It’s these hidden nutritional traps—often found in breading, portion sizes, and sugary sauces—that can derail your intentions.

Top 5 Smartest Orders (by Coach Score)

Forget flipping a coin. The Snackly Coach Score gives every menu item a rating from 0-100, making it easy to see which options offer the best nutritional bang for your buck. Here are the top-scoring items on the Buffalo Wild Wings menu.

1. Grilled Chicken Salad (Coach Score: 51/100)

* *520 cal, 42g protein, 18g carbs, 32g fat, 4g fiber*

This salad takes the top spot for a reason. It delivers a massive 42 grams of high-quality protein from grilled chicken, which is crucial for feeling full and satisfied. With only 18 grams of carbohydrates and a decent 4 grams of fiber, it's a well-balanced meal that provides sustained energy without the crash. For anyone prioritizing protein while keeping carbs in check, this is a clear winner.

2. Chocolate Fudge Cake (Coach Score: 50/100)

* *900 cal, 10g protein, 110g carbs, 48g fat, 3g fiber*

Seeing a dessert this high on the list might be a surprise, but it highlights the nuance of the Coach Score. While it’s certainly an indulgence at 900 calories, its score reflects a balance of macros that’s more favorable than some of the main entrees. If you're set on having a dessert, this is a surprisingly decent option to share. It’s a reminder that Snackly isn't about restriction; it's about making informed choices, even when you’re treating yourself.

3. Classic Cheeseburger (Coach Score: 49/100)

* *840 cal, 46g protein, 48g carbs, 52g fat, 3g fiber*

Sometimes, you just want a burger, and there’s no shame in that. The Classic Cheeseburger earns a solid score thanks to its impressive 46 grams of protein. This high protein content helps balance the meal, making it more filling and metabolically effective than many other options on the menu. It's a substantial meal that provides real fuel, proving that a classic burger can absolutely fit into a balanced approach to eating out.

4. Street Tacos (Chicken) (Coach Score: 49/100)

* *520 cal, 28g protein, 44g carbs, 24g fat, 4g fiber*

At just 520 calories, the Street Tacos are one of the most calorie-conscious meal options available. They provide a satisfying 28 grams of protein and a moderate amount of carbohydrates, making for a well-rounded meal. The fresh pico de gallo and cilantro add flavor without piling on fat or sugar, making these tacos a flavorful and intelligent choice when you're craving something lighter.

5. Grilled Chicken Buffalito (Coach Score: 48/100)

* *620 cal, 38g protein, 48g carbs, 30g fat, 4g fiber*

Think of the Buffalito as a souped-up soft taco. Stuffed with grilled chicken, it offers a hefty 38 grams of protein, which is fantastic for satiety. The overall calorie count is manageable, and it provides a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fat. This is a great alternative to a heavy burger or a plate of wings when you want that signature Buffalo Wild Wings flavor in a more contained package.

Best Orders by Diet Goal

Whether you're managing weight, using a GLP-1 medication, or following a specific diet, there’s an option for you. You just need to know where to look.

Best for Weight Loss

When your goal is weight management, you want meals that are satisfying but don't blow your whole day's budget. These options keep calories in check while providing enough protein and fiber to prevent you from feeling hungry an hour later.

* Street Tacos (Chicken): Clocking in at 520 calories, these tacos are a perfect example of a satisfying, lower-calorie meal. The 28 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber work together to promote fullness, while the smaller portion size of the tortillas helps manage carb intake.

* Grilled Chicken Salad: Also at 520 calories, this salad is a volume-eater's dream. You get a large, filling bowl packed with greens and a huge 42-gram protein serving from the grilled chicken, which is key for staying full for hours. To keep calories low, ask for a light vinaigrette on the side.

Best for GLP-1 / Ozempic Users

If you're using a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Wegovy, prioritizing high-protein, fiber-rich meals is essential. Protein helps preserve muscle mass and increases satiety, while fiber aids digestion—both important factors when your appetite is reduced.

* Grilled Chicken Salad: This is a fantastic choice for GLP-1 users. The 42 grams of protein are exactly what you need to feel full on a smaller volume of food and support your body's needs. The 4 grams of fiber from the vegetables also contributes to digestive wellness.

* Street Tacos (Chicken): With 28 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, these tacos offer a great balance. They are portion-controlled, flavorful, and less likely to cause the digestive discomfort that can come with overly large or greasy meals.

Best for Keto / Low Carb

It’s surprisingly easy to eat low-carb at Buffalo Wild Wings if you stick to one section of the menu: traditional wings. Just be mindful of the sauce.

* Traditional Wings - Medium (12 pc): These are a keto powerhouse. With a whopping 66 grams of protein and only 2 grams of carbohydrates, they fit perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle. The net carb count is just 2 grams, leaving you plenty of room for the rest of your day.

* Traditional Wings - Lemon Pepper (12 pc): Another excellent choice, these wings offer the same 66 grams of protein but with only 4 grams of carbohydrates (4g net carbs). The dry rub provides flavor without the hidden sugars often found in saucier options.

* Grilled Chicken Salad: With 18g of carbs and 4g of fiber, this salad comes to 14g of net carbs. To make it even more keto-friendly, you can hold any carb-heavy toppings and opt for a low-carb dressing on the side.

Best for High Protein

If you’re looking to maximize muscle gain or simply want the most filling meal possible, focus on protein density—the amount of protein you get per calorie.

* Traditional Wings - Medium (12 pc): These wings are the undisputed champion of protein density at B-Dubs. You get an incredible 66 grams of protein for 780 calories. This means nearly 35% of the calories in this meal come directly from protein, making it an incredibly efficient choice for fueling muscle.

* Cheese Curd Bacon Burger: While extremely high in calories (1140), this burger also delivers a massive 56 grams of protein. If you're in a serious bulking phase and need both calories and protein, this is one way to get them, though it comes at a high cost in terms of fat (78g).

Orders to Skip

Some menu items score poorly for a reason. They pack a disproportionate amount of calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, or sodium without offering much nutritional benefit in return. Here are a few to think twice about.

* Traditional Wings - Lemon Pepper (Coach Score: 25/100): This is a shocker for many. While it's low-carb, the Coach Score is low because of the extremely high fat (60g) and calorie (840) count for what is essentially a dry rub. The fat content likely comes from the butter used to adhere the seasoning, turning a "healthier" choice into a fat bomb.

* Boneless Wings - Asian Zing (12 pc) (Coach Score: 31/100): The boneless wings are where calories and carbs hide. The breading adds significant carbs, and the Asian Zing sauce is notoriously high in sugar. The result is a meal with 960 calories and a staggering 72 grams of carbohydrates—that's more carbs than a serving of the Chocolate Fudge Cake.

* Cheese Curd Bacon Burger (Coach Score: 45/100): This burger is the definition of excess. At 1140 calories and 78 grams of fat, it's more than half the daily calorie intake and over 100% of the recommended daily fat intake for many adults. While the protein is high, the astronomical fat and calorie counts make it an item to avoid for most people.

How to Customize Your Order

A few simple tweaks can make a huge difference. Use these strategies to build a better meal at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Go Grilled, Not Crispy: Whether it's for a salad, sandwich, or wrap, always ask for grilled chicken instead of crispy. This simple swap eliminates the oily breading, saving you hundreds of calories and a significant amount of fat and refined carbohydrates.

Get Sauces and Dressings on the Side: This is the golden rule of smart dining. A ladle of a creamy or sugary sauce can add 200-300 calories to your meal. By getting it on the side, you control the portion, allowing you to get the flavor you want with a fraction of the calories, fat, and sugar.

Choose Traditional Wings Over Boneless: If you're there for wings, stick with the classics. Traditional wings are simply fried chicken skin and meat. Boneless "wings" are breaded pieces of chicken breast, making them much higher in carbs and calories. A 12-piece order of Traditional Medium wings has 2g of carbs; a similar-sized order of Boneless with Asian Zing has 72g. The difference is massive.

Pro Tips for Buffalo Wild Wings

Prioritize Dry Rubs: When choosing a flavor for your traditional wings, dry rubs like Lemon Pepper, Salt & Vinegar, or Desert Heat are generally a better choice than sticky, sweet sauces like Asian Zing or Honey BBQ. Dry rubs add intense flavor with minimal sugar and calories.

Split the Appetizers (or Skip Them): Appetizers like the Mozzarella Sticks (680 calories) or Cheese Curds can easily be a meal's worth of calories on their own. If you must indulge, treat them as a shared plate for the whole table, not a personal prelude to your main course.

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FAQ

Q: What is the healthiest thing to order at Buffalo Wild Wings?

The Grilled Chicken Salad is arguably the most balanced and nutrient-dense meal on the menu. With a Coach Score of 51/100, it delivers 42 grams of protein for a reasonable 520 calories and is packed with veggies. The Street Tacos are another strong contender.

Q: Is Buffalo Wild Wings good for weight loss?

It can be challenging, but it's definitely possible. Success depends entirely on your choices. If you stick to lighter options like the Grilled Chicken Salad or the Street Tacos and avoid sugary sauces and fried appetizers, you can absolutely enjoy a meal at B-Dubs without derailing your progress.

Q: What should I avoid at Buffalo Wild Wings?

For most people, it's wise to steer clear of the highest-calorie items like the Cheese Curd Bacon Burger (1140 calories, 78g fat) and boneless wings slathered in sugary sauces like the Asian Zing Boneless Wings (960 calories, 72g carbs). These items have low Coach Scores because they pack a huge amount of calories, fat, and sugar for the nutrients they provide.

Q: Are traditional or boneless wings healthier?

Traditional wings are generally the better choice. Because they aren't breaded, they are significantly lower in carbohydrates and often lower in overall calories. For example, a 12-piece order of Traditional Wings with Medium sauce has only 2 grams of carbs, while a 12-piece Boneless order with Asian Zing sauce has 72 grams.

Q: How can I eat low-carb or keto at Buffalo Wild Wings?

Focus on traditional wings with low-carb sauces (like Medium) or dry rubs (like Lemon Pepper). A 12-piece order of Traditional Wings with Medium sauce has only 2g of net carbs, making it an excellent keto-friendly option that's also high in protein.

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