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How many calories are in currywurst?

Paul Hummel Last reviewed June 10, 2026 3 min read
How many calories are in currywurst?
Quick answer

A classic currywurst — Germany’s iconic curry-sauced sausage — with sauce (150 g sausage, 40 g curry ketchup) delivers around 480 calories, according to the German BLS food database. Add a medium portion of fries (150 g) and the meal reaches roughly 900 calories — about a third to half of an adult’s daily energy needs.

Calories component by component

ComponentCalories
Bratwurst (150 g)410 kcal
Curry ketchup (40 g)70 kcal
Fries, medium (150 g)420 kcal
Mayonnaise (20 g)140 kcal

Why currywurst is so calorie-dense

Bratwurst ranks among the fattiest meat products there are. Per the Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS) — Germany’s national food composition database — 100 grams of classic scalded sausage contain around 27 grams of fat, which means more than two thirds of its energy comes from fat. The curry ketchup piles on top: besides tomato paste, it typically contains 25 to 35 percent sugar. That combination makes currywurst one of the most calorie-dense street-food meals in Germany.

Chart: How many calories are in currywurst?

Chicken currywurst and vegetarian versions

A currywurst made from poultry comes in at around 250 calories per 150 grams of sausage — well below the classic pork original. Vegan alternatives based on soy or pea protein typically land at 170 to 220 calories per sausage, according to manufacturer nutrition data. The sauce, however, stays just as calorie-rich — so the net effect on the full meal is a saving of 150 to 200 calories.

Data from Germany’s National Nutrition Survey, published by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, shows that currywurst with fries is one of the most frequently eaten away-from-home lunches in Germany. If you plan it in as a standalone meal, budget around 600 to 800 calories for the rest of the day’s meals to stay in a calorie deficit.

Portion sizes at the snack stand

At snack stands in Berlin and the Ruhr region, 200-gram sausages are the standard — already around 620 calories with sauce. A double portion of fries (250 g) adds another 700 calories. A snack-stand plate with a large sausage, large fries, and mayo can therefore top 1,500 calories — roughly 75 percent of the daily energy needs of a woman with a desk job.

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Related questions

Sources

  1. Max Rubner Institute. Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), version 3.02 — Germany’s national food composition database. blsdb.de
  2. Max Rubner Institute. German National Nutrition Survey II (Nationale Verzehrsstudie II). mri.bund.de
  3. USDA FoodData Central. Pork sausage, fresh, cooked. fdc.nal.usda.gov
  4. German Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE). French fries — product guide. bzfe.de
This content is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, nutritional, or therapeutic advice. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication, please consult a qualified professional. Recommendations apply to healthy adults.