Hardee’s Burger Menu: Complete Guide to Every Burger, Prices & Rankings
Hardee’s burger menu has six charbroiled options — and this guide covers all of them. Every burger is reviewed with full details on price, calories, ingredients, and whether it is actually worth ordering. No guesswork, no filler.
Every patty is cooked over an open flame using 100% Angus beef — the same method your backyard grill uses — and it produces a noticeably different result than what you get at McDonald’s or Wendy’s.
What Is the Best Hardee’s Burger?
If you’re looking for the best Hardee’s burger, the Famous Star® with Cheese is the top choice for most people. It offers the best balance of flavor, portion size, and value. For bigger appetites, the Monster Burger® delivers the most indulgent experience, while the Frisco Burger stands out for its toasted sourdough bread and unique flavor profile. If you prefer premium ingredients, the Prime Rib Burger is Hardee’s most upscale burger option.
⚡ BEST HARDEE’S BURGER — QUICK PICKS
| Category | Burger & Description |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Best Overall | Famous Star® with Cheese — balanced, classic, great value |
| 🔥 Best Premium | Monster Burger® — 2 patties, 4 strips bacon, 3 slices cheese |
| 🍄 Most Unique | Mushroom & Swiss — creamy mushroom sauce, Swiss cheese |
| 🍞 Most Distinctive | Frisco Burger — toasted sourdough, cherrywood bacon |
| 💪 Highest Protein | Super Star® with Cheese — 50g protein, two patties |
| 🥩 Most Premium 2025 | Prime Rib Burger — Angus patty + prime rib slices + Au Jus |
| 🥗 Lowest Calorie | Famous Star® (no cheese) — lightest full burger option |
Our Top Recommendation: For first-time visitors, the Famous Star® with Cheese remains the safest and most satisfying choice. It represents everything Hardee’s does well: charbroiled Angus beef, fresh toppings, Special Sauce, and a toasted brioche-style bun.
Complete Hardee’s Burger Menu with price
Here is every burger currently on the Hardee’s menu with pricing and calories in one place. If you are looking for a quick answer before ordering, this table covers it all.
Every burger on the menu is reviewed in detail below — taste, nutrition, and who it is actually worth ordering for.
What Makes Hardee’s Burgers Different?
Before diving into individual burgers, it helps to understand what actually sets Hardee’s apart from every other fast-food burger chain — because it is a real, meaningful difference, not just marketing.
1. Charbroiled, Not Griddled
Most fast-food chains — McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Five Guys — cook their burgers on a flat-top griddle or pan. The patty steams and sears in its own fat. Hardee’s cooks every burger over an open flame charbroiler, the same way you grill at home. The direct flame contact creates a slightly crisp, slightly smoky crust on the outside while the inside stays juicy. If you have ever noticed that a Hardee’s burger tastes more like a “real” grilled burger, this is exactly why.
2. 100% Angus Beef — Every Patty
Hardee’s uses 100% Angus beef across its entire burger lineup. According to the official Hardee’s menu, every charbroiled burger patty — from the entry-level Famous Star to the premium Monster Burger — uses the same quality Angus beef. Angus beef comes from Angus-breed cattle and is recognized for its higher fat marbling, which directly translates to more flavor and juiciness.
3. Brioche-Style Buns
Hardee’s upgraded its buns to a Brioche-style across most of its burger lineup. Brioche is a slightly enriched bread — softer, with a light buttery quality — that holds up better against juicy patties than a standard sesame seed bun. The Frisco Burger is the exception, using toasted sourdough bread as its base — a genuinely unique choice among fast-food burger chains.
4. Quarter-Pound Patties as Standard
The base patty at Hardee’s is a Quarter Pound (1/4 lb) Angus beef patty. This is the starting point — not an upgrade. Most premium burgers like the Monster Burger and Super Star use two Quarter Pound patties, giving you a half-pound of beef before you even add toppings.
Every Hardee’s Burger Reviewed
Here is every burger currently on the Hardee’s menu, reviewed individually with descriptions sourced from the official Hardee’s website and verified nutrition data.
1. Famous Star® with Cheese — The Classic
Best for: First-timers, those who want a balanced, well-rounded burger without going overboard on calories or price.
The Famous Star® is Hardee’s signature burger and the one that defines the brand. According to the official Hardee’s Famous Star page, it features a “Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patty topped with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, dill pickles, Special Sauce, and mayonnaise on a perfectly toasted Brioche style bun.”
The Special Sauce is the secret weapon here — a creamy, tangy sauce that ties every element together. The combination of fresh vegetables, melted cheese, and charbroiled beef on a brioche bun makes this a genuinely well-composed burger. It is not the biggest, not the boldest, but it is the most consistently satisfying option for most people.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 660 | 39g | 49g | 31g | 1,090mg |
Source: FastFoodNutrition.org
2. Super Star® with Cheese — The Double Stack
Best for: Big appetites, high-protein goals, and anyone who wants more beef without the extra toppings of the Monster.
The Super Star® is the Famous Star’s bigger sibling — same concept, doubled up. Per the official Hardee’s Super Star page, it features “two Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patties topped with two slices of melted American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, dill pickles, Special Sauce, and mayonnaise all on a perfectly toasted Brioche style bun.”
The result is a half-pound of Angus beef on one bun — making it one of the most protein-dense items on the menu at 50 grams of protein per sandwich. The two-patty build means you get a more substantial beef-to-topping ratio with every bite. If the Famous Star leaves you hungry, the Super Star is the natural next step.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 950 | 62g | 54g | 50g | 1,890mg |
Source: FatSecret
3. Monster Burger® — The Big One
Best for: Maximum indulgence. This is Hardee’s most over-the-top burger — not for the faint-hearted.
The Monster Burger® lives up to its name. According to the official Hardee’s Monster Burger page, it features “two Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patties, 4 strips of bacon, 3 slices of American cheese and mayonnaise, all served on a Brioche style bun.”
This is a half-pound of beef, four strips of bacon, and three layers of melted cheese in a single sandwich. There is no lettuce, no tomato — this is purely about meat, bacon, and cheese. The Monster Burger is unapologetically excessive and that is exactly the point. It is one of the most calorie-dense items on the entire Hardee’s menu, but it delivers on its promise completely.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,040 | 72g | 38g | 55g | 1,970mg |
Source: FastFoodNutrition.org
4. Mushroom & Swiss Burger — The Savory Choice
Best for: Anyone who wants something beyond standard burger toppings — earthy, savory, and genuinely different.
The Mushroom & Swiss is one of Hardee’s most distinctive burgers. Per the official Hardee’s Mushroom & Swiss page, it features “a Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patty topped with melted Swiss and finished with mushroom sauce, all served on a perfectly toasted Brioche style bun.”
The key element is the mushroom sauce — a creamy, umami-forward topping that completely changes the flavor profile of a standard burger. Paired with melted Swiss cheese (which has a nuttier, more complex flavor than American cheese), this burger delivers something that genuinely stands apart from every other item on the menu. If you are tired of the same lettuce-tomato-ketchup burger, this is the one to try.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 620 | 37g | 43g | 33g | 890mg |
Source: CalorieKing
5. Frisco Burger — The Most Unique Hardee’s Burger
Best for: Anyone who wants something genuinely different from a standard burger bun — the sourdough makes this a standout.
The Frisco Burger is the most architecturally distinct burger on the Hardee’s menu. According to the official Hardee’s Frisco page, it features “a Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patty topped with crispy cherrywood smoked bacon, melted Swiss cheese, tomatoes and mayonnaise all on perfectly toasted sourdough bread.”
The sourdough bread changes everything about the eating experience. Unlike a soft brioche bun, toasted sourdough has a firm, slightly tangy exterior that adds both texture and flavor contrast to the juicy beef patty. The cherrywood smoked bacon adds a distinct smokiness that pairs naturally with the tang of the sourdough. This is the most “gourmet” feeling burger on the Hardee’s menu and is also one of the lowest calorie full-burger options.
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560 | 31g | 43g | 32g | 1,050mg |
Source: FastFoodNutrition.org
6. Prime Rib Burger — The 2025 Premium Addition
Best for: Anyone who wants a premium, steak-house-style experience from a fast-food burger chain.
The Prime Rib Burger is Hardee’s most premium current offering. According to the official Hardee’s Prime Rib Burger page, it features “our Angus Beef patty topped with Prime Rib slices that are dipped in our signature Au Jus, topped with Garlic cheddar sauce, grilled onions and served on our perfectly toasted Brioche Bun.”
This burger takes Hardee’s premium positioning seriously. The addition of actual prime rib slices dipped in Au Jus on top of an Angus beef patty is a genuinely ambitious fast-food offering. The garlic cheddar sauce and grilled onions add depth and sweetness. If you want the most indulgent, steak-inspired burger Hardee’s currently offers, this is it.
Note: The Prime Rib Burger is a featured/seasonal item. Availability varies by location. Check the current Hardee’s menu or the Hardee’s app to confirm availability near you.
Complete Hardee’s Burger Calories & Nutrition Table
For a full nutrition breakdown of every item, see our complete Hardee’s nutrition guide. Here is the at-a-glance comparison of all Hardee’s burgers:
| Burger | Cal | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Star® with Cheese | 660 | 39g | 49g | 31g | 1,090mg |
| Frisco Burger | 560 | 31g | 43g | 32g | 1,050mg |
| Mushroom & Swiss Burger | 620 | 37g | 43g | 33g | 890mg |
| Super Star® with Cheese | 950 | 62g | 54g | 50g | 1,890mg |
| Monster Burger® | 1,040 | 72g | 38g | 55g | 1,970mg |
| Prime Rib Burger | — | — | — | — | — |
Sources: FastFoodNutrition.org, CalorieKing. Prime Rib Burger nutrition not yet available from third-party trackers — check hardees.com/nutritional-info directly.
How to Choose the Right Hardee’s Burger for You
Different people want different things from a burger. Here is a straightforward decision guide:
| If You Want… | Order This |
|---|---|
| The safest, most popular choice | Famous Star® with Cheese |
| More beef, more protein | Super Star® with Cheese |
| Maximum indulgence | Monster Burger® |
| Something different from standard burgers | Mushroom & Swiss |
| A “gourmet” fast-food experience | Frisco Burger |
| Most premium option available | Prime Rib Burger |
| Lower calorie burger | Frisco Burger (560 calories) |
| Lowest sodium | Mushroom & Swiss (890mg) |
Customization Options at Hardee’s
Hardee’s allows a reasonable level of customization on its burgers. Here are the most common modifications customers request:
Protein-Style (No Bun)
Ask for any burger “protein-style” or “no bun” and it will be wrapped in lettuce instead. This removes approximately 34g of carbohydrates and 200 calories from any burger. It is a practical option for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet. The Famous Star® protein-style drops to approximately 460 calories.
Add or Remove Toppings
All standard toppings — lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, special sauce — can be added or removed at no charge. Cheese can be removed to reduce calories by approximately 50 per slice.
Double the Patty
Most single-patty burgers can be upgraded to a double patty for a small upcharge (typically $1.00–$1.50). This effectively turns the Famous Star into a Super Star-style burger at a slightly lower price than ordering the Super Star directly.
Add Bacon
Bacon can be added to any burger — typically 2 strips for $0.99–$1.49 depending on location. Adding bacon to the Mushroom & Swiss creates a genuinely excellent combination that is not officially on the menu.
Swap the Bun
The Frisco Burger’s sourdough bread is not available as a bun substitute for other burgers, but some locations will accommodate bread swaps on request — worth asking if you prefer sourdough.
Hardee’s Burger vs McDonald’s & Burger King
How does a Hardee’s burger actually stack up against the two largest fast-food burger chains?
| Factor | Hardee’s | McDonald’s | Burger King |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Method | ✅ Charbroiled (open flame) | Flat-top griddle | Flame-grilled (closest to Hardee’s) |
| Beef Quality | ✅ 100% Angus beef | 100% beef (not Angus-specified) | 100% beef (not Angus-specified) |
| Bun Quality | ✅ Brioche-style / Sourdough | Standard sesame seed | Sesame seed |
| Base Patty Size | ✅ Quarter Pound standard | 1.6oz (regular) to 4oz (Quarter Pounder) | Regular to Whopper (4oz) |
| Price Range | $5–$9 (single burger) | $5–$10 | $5–$10 |
| Unique Differentiator | Charbroiled Angus, Frisco Burger | Big Mac, McDouble | Whopper, flame-grilled taste |
The most direct comparison is Hardee’s vs Burger King — both use open-flame cooking methods. The key differences are that Hardee’s uses Angus beef as standard (Burger King does not specify), Hardee’s uses brioche buns (Burger King uses standard sesame), and Hardee’s has the Frisco and Mushroom & Swiss as genuinely distinctive options that neither McDonald’s nor Burger King carries.
Curious about how Hardee’s compares to its sister chain? See our full Hardee’s vs Carl’s Jr. comparison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best burger at Hardee’s?
The best overall Hardee’s burger is the Famous Star® with Cheese — it is Hardee’s best-selling burger for a reason. It delivers a balanced combination of a Quarter Pound charbroiled Angus beef patty, fresh vegetables, Special Sauce, and melted American cheese on a brioche bun. For a more indulgent choice, the Monster Burger® (two patties, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese) is the best over-the-top option. For something unique, the Frisco Burger on toasted sourdough is the most distinctive item on the menu.
Are Hardee’s burgers charbroiled?
Yes. Every Hardee’s burger is cooked on an open-flame charbroiler, not a flat-top griddle. Charbroiling means the patty is cooked over direct flame, which creates a slightly crispy, smoky exterior while keeping the inside juicy — similar to how burgers are grilled at home. This is one of the main things that distinguishes Hardee’s burgers from chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s.
What kind of beef does Hardee’s use?
Hardee’s uses 100% Angus beef across its entire burger lineup. Angus beef comes from Angus-breed cattle and is recognized for higher fat marbling compared to standard beef, which produces more flavor and juiciness. Every charbroiled burger patty at Hardee’s — from the entry-level Famous Star to the premium Monster Burger — uses the same quality Angus beef as a standard, not an upgrade.
How many calories are in a Hardee’s burger?
Hardee’s burger calories range from 560 (Frisco Burger — the lowest calorie full-size option) to 1,040 (Monster Burger® — the highest). The Famous Star® with Cheese has 660 calories, the Mushroom & Swiss has 620 calories, and the Super Star® with Cheese has 950 calories. For a complete calorie table, see our Hardee’s nutrition guide.
Can you order a Hardee’s burger without a bun (keto)?
Yes. You can order any Hardee’s burger “protein-style” or “no bun” at most locations. The burger will be served wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun. This removes approximately 34 grams of carbohydrates per burger, making it compatible with keto and low-carb diets. The Famous Star® without a bun drops to approximately 460 calories.
What is the Hardee’s Frisco Burger?
The Hardee’s Frisco Burger is a Quarter Pound 100% Angus beef patty topped with crispy cherrywood smoked bacon, melted Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and mayonnaise, served on perfectly toasted sourdough bread. It is named for its San Francisco-inspired sourdough bread base — the only Hardee’s burger that uses sourdough instead of a standard bun. It has 560 calories and is one of the most distinctive burgers on the Hardee’s menu.
What is the biggest burger at Hardee’s?
The biggest burger currently on the Hardee’s menu is the Monster Burger® — two Quarter Pound Angus beef patties (half a pound of beef total), four strips of bacon, three slices of American cheese, and mayonnaise on a Brioche-style bun. It contains 1,040 calories, 72 grams of fat, and 55 grams of protein, making it the most calorie-dense item in the Hardee’s burger lineup.
Is Hardee’s burger better than McDonald’s?
Hardee’s and McDonald’s offer different burger experiences. Hardee’s uses 100% Angus beef cooked on an open-flame charbroiler with brioche-style buns — which many burger fans consider a step above McDonald’s flat-top griddled patties. McDonald’s has greater consistency across locations and a lower price point. For pure burger quality — beef grade, cooking method, and bun quality — Hardee’s generally ranks higher among food critics and burger enthusiasts.
Bottom Line
Every Hardee’s burger starts with the same foundation — 100% Angus beef, open-flame charbroiling, and a brioche-style bun — and each one takes that foundation in a different direction. The Famous Star® is the classic that most people should start with. The Monster Burger® is for maximum indulgence. The Frisco Burger is for anyone who wants something genuinely different. The Mushroom & Swiss is for savory, umami-forward flavor.
For the full price list for every item including combos and sides, visit the complete Hardee’s menu with prices. For full calorie and nutrition data on every item, see our Hardee’s nutrition guide.