The healthiest meal at Dairy Queen is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich (about 390 calories) with a Side Salad (90 calories), and the lightest treat is a small vanilla cone at about 170 calories. Below are the lowest-calorie picks in every part of the menu, simple swaps and complete meals that come in around 500 to 600 calories.
This page ranks by calories, the number most people check first. For allergens see our gluten-free and allergen guide, and for a deeper look at nutrition see the Dairy Queen calories guide. To add up your own meal, use the DQ meal calculator.
Lowest-calorie burgers, sandwiches and chicken
| Item | Calories | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Piece Chicken Strips | ~280 | Strips only, add a sauce |
| Hot Dog | 330 | |
| Breakfast Burrito | 380 | Breakfast hours |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 390 | Lightest sandwich |
| Original Cheeseburger (Single) | 400 | Lightest burger |
| Chili Cheese Dog | 420 |
Lowest-calorie sides
| Item | Calories | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Side Salad | 90 | Without dressing |
| Fries (Small) | 260 | |
| Onion Rings (Regular) | ~400 |
Lowest-calorie treats
| Item | Calories | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Cone (Small) | 170 | Lightest treat |
| DQ Sandwich | 190 | |
| Dilly Bar | 210 | |
| Non-Dairy Dilly Bar | 220 | Dairy-free |
| Hot Fudge Sundae (Small) | ~250 | |
| Swicy Pineapple with Tajín Blizzard (Mini) | ~270 | Lightest Blizzard, seasonal |
| Strawberry Sundae | 280 | |
| Butterfinger Blizzard (Mini) | ~290 | Lightest year-round Blizzard |
Lowest-calorie drinks
| Item | Calories | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Diet soft drink | 0 | |
| Misty Slush (Small) | ~150 | |
| Orange Julius (Small) | ~210 | |
| Fruit Smoothie (Small) | ~220 |
Easy swaps that save the most calories
| Instead of | Order | You save |
|---|---|---|
| Large Oreo Blizzard (920) | Mini Oreo Blizzard (300) | 620 cal |
| 4-Piece Chicken Strip Basket (1000) | Grilled Chicken Sandwich (390) | 610 cal |
| Small Chocolate Shake (710) | Small Vanilla Cone (170) | 540 cal |
| FlameThrower Stackburger (780) | Original Cheeseburger (400) | 380 cal |
| Regular Onion Rings (400) | Side Salad (no dressing) (90) | 310 cal |
| Honey Mustard dip (240) | Country Gravy dip (70) | 170 cal |
The biggest win is Blizzard size. A Large Blizzard has about three times the calories of a Mini, so sizing down saves more than any food swap. See every size on our Blizzard sizes page.
Dairy Queen meals around 500 to 600 calories
| Meal | Total calories |
|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich + Side Salad + diet drink | ~480 |
| Hot Dog + Small Vanilla Cone | ~500 |
| Breakfast Burrito + Small Vanilla Cone | ~550 |
| Original Cheeseburger + Small Vanilla Cone | ~570 |
| 2-Piece Chicken Strips + Small Fries + Country Gravy | ~610 |
Each total adds up the item calories on our menu pages. Dressing, extra sauce and a regular soft drink are not included, and a regular soda can add up to 310 calories.
Tips for eating lighter at DQ
- Pick grilled over crispy. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich has about 80 fewer calories than the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
- Choose the lightest dip. Country Gravy is the lowest-calorie sauce at about 70 calories; see all DQ dipping sauces.
- Order a kids-size treat. A small cone or a Mini Blizzard satisfies a sweet tooth for a fraction of the calories.
- Skip the shake. Even a small shake has about 710 calories, more than most burgers.
- Need dairy-free? The Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is 220 calories.
Frequently asked questions
Calories are estimates from published nutrition information and can vary by location and preparation. Last checked October 2026. This guide is not medical advice.
More from the menu: cheapest menu items · burgers and sandwiches · full Dairy Queen menu with prices.