Cracker Barrel Nutrition Facts & Allergen Menu 2026
Understanding Cracker Barrel nutrition facts and allergen information helps diners make informed choices when enjoying this popular restaurant chain. Cracker Barrel provides comprehensive nutritional data and allergen details for all menu items, allowing guests with dietary restrictions or health goals to navigate the menu confidently.
How to Access Cracker Barrel Nutrition Information
Cracker Barrel makes nutrition facts readily available through multiple channels, ensuring guests can review information before or during their visit.
Where to Find Nutritional Data
- Official Website – The complete nutrition guide is available at crackerbarrel.com under the nutrition section. This PDF document includes detailed breakdowns for every menu item.
- Restaurant Request – Guests can request printed nutrition information from staff at any Cracker Barrel location. Most restaurants keep copies available at the host stand.
- Mobile Access – The information can be accessed via smartphone while dining, allowing real-time decision-making when ordering.
- Allergen Menu – A separate allergen menu identifies which items contain the eight major allergens, plus gluten information.
Cracker Barrel Nutrition Facts Overview
Cracker Barrel’s menu spans a wide caloric range, from lighter options under 400 calories to hearty comfort food dishes exceeding 1,500 calories per serving.
Calorie Ranges by Menu Category
| Menu Category | Calorie Range | Sodium Range (mg) | Fat Range (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 340-1,640 | 850-3,200 | 15-120 |
| Lunch/Dinner Entrees | 450-1,850 | 1,100-4,500 | 18-110 |
| Sides | 35-420 | 90-890 | 0-25 |
| Desserts | 310-1,010 | 180-580 | 12-62 |
| Beverages | 0-450 | 5-280 | 0-16 |
These ranges demonstrate the importance of reviewing specific items, as choices within the same category vary significantly in nutritional content.
Lower-Calorie Menu Options
For diners seeking lighter meals, Cracker Barrel offers several options that deliver flavor without excessive calories.
Breakfast Choices Under 600 Calories
- Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Parfait – Approximately 340 calories, this option includes Greek yogurt, granola, and seasonal fruit. It provides 13g protein and serves as the lightest breakfast choice.
- Wholesome Fixin’s – Starting at 430 calories, this customizable breakfast includes egg whites, turkey sausage, fresh fruit, and whole wheat toast.
- Oatmeal – Around 300 calories plain, oatmeal becomes a filling breakfast when topped with fruit. Add-ons like brown sugar and pecans increase calories but add fiber and healthy fats.
Lunch and Dinner Options Under 700 Calories
| Menu Item | Calories | Protein (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Tenderloins (with 2 sides) | 480-680 | 42 | 1,850 |
| Lemon Pepper Grilled Rainbow Trout | 550 | 38 | 1,540 |
| Country Vegetable Plate (choose wisely) | 400-800 | 12-18 | 1,200-2,000 |
| Grilled Pork Chop (with vegetables) | 590 | 44 | 1,980 |
Selecting steamed or grilled vegetables as sides significantly reduces overall calorie counts compared to casseroles or fried options.
High-Calorie Menu Items to Consider
Understanding which menu items contain the highest calorie counts helps diners make conscious decisions about portion sizes and frequency.
Highest-Calorie Breakfast Items
- Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast – This meal exceeds 1,640 calories and contains over 3,200mg sodium. It includes two fried eggs, fried chicken, hashbrown casserole, gravy, and biscuits.
- Sunrise Sampler – At approximately 1,490 calories, this platter combines multiple breakfast meats, eggs, and sides with high caloric density.
- Pecan Pancakes – Three pecan pancakes with butter and syrup reach 1,150 calories before adding breakfast meat or eggs.
Highest-Calorie Dinner Items
Homestyle Chicken BLT – This sandwich with fries totals around 1,490 calories and 3,680mg sodium, representing nearly an entire day’s recommended intake.
Fried Chicken Salad – Despite being labeled a salad, this dish contains approximately 1,270 calories due to fried chicken, cheese, and dressing.
Maple Bacon Grilled Chicken – With sides, this entree reaches 1,550 calories and contains 4,100mg sodium.
Cracker Barrel Allergen Information
Cracker Barrel provides detailed allergen information for the eight major allergens recognized by the FDA, plus gluten and sulfites.
Major Allergens Tracked
The allergen menu identifies items containing:
- Milk/Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree Nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat/Gluten
- Soy
Allergen-Free Options by Category
| Category | Dairy-Free Options | Gluten-Free Options | Nut-Free Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Fresh fruit, grits (plain), egg whites | Egg-based dishes without bread | Most egg dishes, grits, fruit |
| Entrees | Grilled chicken, pork chops | Grilled proteins with safe sides | Most grilled meats and vegetables |
| Sides | Green beans, corn, carrots | Certain vegetables, sweet potato | Most vegetables and potatoes |
| Desserts | Limited options | None widely available | Fruit options only |
Important Note: Cracker Barrel uses shared cooking equipment, which means cross-contamination risks exist even for items not containing specific allergens. Guests with severe allergies should discuss preparation methods with restaurant management.
Gluten-Free Dining at Cracker Barrel
While Cracker Barrel doesn’t offer a dedicated gluten-free menu, several naturally gluten-free items exist when ordered carefully.
Gluten-Free Breakfast Options
- Scrambled eggs or omelets (without toast)
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Plain grits
- Bacon, sausage patties, or ham
- Hash browns (verify no breading)
Gluten-Free Lunch and Dinner
- Grilled chicken tenderloins
- Grilled pork chops
- Country ham or steak (without breading)
- Most vegetable sides except breaded items
- Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans
Request that staff prepare meals without breading and verify side dish ingredients, as some preparations include flour-based thickeners.
Sodium Content Considerations
Cracker Barrel’s menu items often contain high sodium levels, which concerns individuals monitoring blood pressure or cardiovascular health.
High-Sodium Items to Limit
Most Cracker Barrel entrees exceed 2,000mg sodium, with many surpassing 3,000mg. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 2,300mg daily, with an ideal limit of 1,500mg for most adults.
Strategies to Reduce Sodium:
- Request no added salt during cooking
- Choose fresh vegetables over canned
- Limit gravy, sauces, and dressings
- Avoid processed meats like ham and bacon
- Select grilled over fried preparations
- Skip biscuits and cornbread, which contain significant sodium
Managing Portion Sizes
Cracker Barrel serves generous portions that often exceed standard serving sizes. These strategies help manage intake:
Share Entrees – Most meals provide enough food for two lighter appetites. Splitting an entree with sides accommodates smaller hunger levels.
Take Leftovers – Request a to-go box when your meal arrives and immediately portion half for later, preventing overeating.
Choose Lunch Portions – Some entrees offer lunch-sized portions with fewer calories and smaller price points.
Substitute Sides – Replace high-calorie sides like hashbrown casserole with steamed vegetables or fresh fruit.
Heart-Healthy Menu Modifications
Creating heart-healthy meals at Cracker Barrel requires strategic ordering and customization.
Modification Strategies
| Standard Order | Heart-Healthy Modification | Calorie Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Fried chicken with casserole | Grilled chicken with green beans | 400-500 calories |
| Biscuits with butter | Whole wheat toast, dry | 150-200 calories |
| Full breakfast with sides | Egg whites with fruit | 600-800 calories |
| Regular dressing on salad | Dressing on the side | 200-300 calories |
Diabetic-Friendly Options
Individuals managing diabetes benefit from choosing proteins with non-starchy vegetables and monitoring carbohydrate content.
Better Choices:
- Grilled proteins without breading or sugary glazes
- Non-starchy vegetables as sides
- Fresh fruit in small portions
- Unsweetened beverages
- Eggs prepared without added sugars
Items to Limit:
- Pancakes, waffles, and French toast
- Fried apples and glazed carrots
- Sweet potato casserole
- Sweetened beverages and sweet tea
- Desserts
Special Dietary Requests
Cracker Barrel staff accommodates reasonable dietary requests. When dining, communicate clearly about allergies versus preferences, as severe allergies require additional kitchen precautions.
Request Options:
- Grilled instead of fried
- Butter and sauces on the side
- Substitute vegetables for starches
- Egg whites instead of whole eggs
- No added salt or seasonings
Using Nutrition Information Effectively
The nutrition guide provides complete information including calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, and protein for each item.
Planning Strategy:
- Review the nutrition guide before visiting
- Identify 3-4 suitable options meeting your requirements
- Build meals around lean proteins and vegetables
- Account for beverages in total calorie counts
- Consider sharing or saving portions for later
Conclusion
Cracker Barrel nutrition facts and allergen information empower diners to make choices aligned with health goals and dietary restrictions. While the menu features traditional comfort food with higher calorie and sodium content, strategic ordering and modifications create satisfying meals that fit various nutritional needs. Reviewing the complete nutrition guide and allergen menu before visiting ensures an enjoyable dining experience without compromising dietary requirements.