18 Recipes Inspired By Culver’s Favorites

Culver’s has built a loyal fan base with its crave-worthy menu, from juicy ButterBurgers to creamy frozen custard. If you love those flavors but can’t always make the drive, recreating them at home is easier than you might think.

These recipes capture the spirit of Culver’s most beloved items, using simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Get ready to bring some serious restaurant magic right into your own kitchen.

1. Classic ButterBurger with Toasted Kaiser Bun

There’s a reason the ButterBurger has a cult following. Craig Culver’s mother originally inspired this recipe, and the secret is surprisingly simple: fresh, never-frozen beef and a lightly buttered, toasted Kaiser bun.

At home, use an 80/20 ground beef blend for the best flavor. Toast your bun with a thin layer of softened butter in a hot skillet.

Top it with pickles, ketchup, mustard, and raw onion for the full “works” experience.

2. ButterBurger Cheese with American Cheese

Melted American cheese takes a good burger to a whole new level. The ButterBurger Cheese is one of Culver’s most popular orders, and for good reason – that creamy, salty melt pairs perfectly with fresh beef.

To nail this at home, smash your beef ball firmly onto a screaming-hot cast iron skillet. Lay two slices of American cheese on immediately after flipping.

The residual heat does all the melting work, creating that iconic gooey layer fans love.

3. Bacon Deluxe ButterBurger

Crispy bacon makes everything better, and the Bacon Deluxe proves that point with every single bite. This loaded burger stacks American cheese, pickles, mayo, onion, lettuce, tomato, and thick-cut bacon on a buttered bun.

Cook your bacon low and slow in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for perfectly crispy strips every time. Use a fresh beef patty and don’t skip the buttered bun toast – that small step makes a surprisingly big difference in flavor.

4. Mushroom and Swiss ButterBurger

Earthy sauteed mushrooms and nutty Swiss cheese are a classic combo that elevates any burger. Culver’s Mushroom and Swiss ButterBurger leans into that savory pairing beautifully, and it’s surprisingly easy to replicate.

Saute sliced baby bella mushrooms in butter with a pinch of garlic until golden and fragrant. Layer them generously over your beef patty, then top with a slice of Swiss cheese.

A lightly buttered, toasted bun brings it all together in the most satisfying way.

5. Wisconsin Cheese Curds

Few things are more satisfying than biting into a warm, crispy cheese curd with that stretchy, melty center. Culver’s sources their curds from Wisconsin family farms, using both yellow and white cheddar.

For a copycat version, coat fresh cheese curds in seasoned Italian breadcrumbs after dipping them in an egg and milk mixture. Fry in vegetable oil heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 60 seconds per side until deeply golden.

Work in small batches so the oil stays hot.

6. Fresh Frozen Custard (Vanilla Base)

Frozen custard is richer and creamier than regular ice cream because it contains egg yolks and less air. Culver’s makes theirs fresh in small batches all day long, which is why it tastes so incredibly smooth.

At home, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, and sugar, then cook it gently into a custard base before churning. Serve it slightly warmer than typical ice cream – around 15 degrees warmer – for that signature soft, dense texture Culver’s fans crave.

7. Peach Cobbler Concrete Mixer

Sweet peaches, crunchy pecans, and warm caramel swirled into vanilla custard sounds like dessert perfection – and it genuinely is. The Peach Cobbler Concrete Mixer is one of Culver’s most beloved seasonal combinations.

Recreate it at home by blending diced fresh or canned peaches, chopped toasted pecans, and a generous drizzle of hot caramel sauce directly into your vanilla frozen custard. Stir vigorously until everything is well mixed.

The warm caramel slightly softens the custard, creating an irresistible cobbler-inspired flavor in every spoonful.

8. Triple Berry Cheesecake Concrete Mixer

Tangy cheesecake chunks, three kinds of berries, and velvety vanilla custard walk into a blender – and what comes out is absolutely spectacular. Culver’s Triple Berry Cheesecake Mixer is a fan favorite worth recreating.

Fold fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries into vanilla custard along with bite-sized cubes of plain cheesecake. A quick stir brings all those flavors together into something that tastes like summer in a cup.

Store-bought mini cheesecakes work perfectly and save you a ton of prep time.

9. PB&J Concrete Mixer

Peanut butter and strawberries in frozen custard might sound simple, but this combination is wildly addictive. Culver’s PB&J Concrete Mixer taps into pure nostalgic comfort with every single bite.

Warm your peanut butter slightly so it swirls smoothly into cold vanilla custard without clumping. Add fresh chopped strawberries or strawberry jam for that fruity contrast.

The saltiness of the peanut butter balances the sweetness of the custard perfectly, making this one of the easiest and most crowd-pleasing homemade mixer recipes around.

10. Crinkle Cut Fries

That distinctive ridged shape isn’t just for looks – crinkle cuts actually hold more surface area, which means more crunch in every bite. Culver’s version is golden, crispy, and perfectly salted.

To make them at home, use a crinkle-cut mandoline slicer on russet potatoes. Soak the cut fries in cold water for 30 minutes, then dry thoroughly before frying twice: once at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and again at 375 degrees.

That double-fry method gives you the crispiest results without a commercial fryer.

11. Hand-Breaded Pork Loin Sandwich

Iowa farmland inspired this hearty sandwich, and one bite explains exactly why it earned a spot on Culver’s menu. A premium center-cut pork loin, pounded thin and breaded with seasoned cracker crumbs, fries up into something truly special.

Pound boneless pork loin chops to about a quarter-inch thickness, then coat in crushed saltine crackers mixed with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fry until deep golden brown and serve on a buttered, toasted bun.

Pickles and mustard are the classic finishing touches.

12. North Atlantic Cod Sandwich with Tartar Sauce

Culver’s cod sandwich stands out because of one thing: the tartar sauce. Made with olives, capers, and sweet relish, it’s a family recipe that transforms a simple fish sandwich into something memorable.

Hand-batter fresh cod fillets in a seasoned beer batter and fry until golden. Serve on a lightly buttered, toasted hoagie roll with crisp iceberg lettuce.

For the tartar sauce, combine mayo, chopped green olives, capers, sweet relish, and a squeeze of lemon juice. That briny, tangy sauce is the real star here.

13. Northwoods Walleye Sandwich

Walleye is a mild, tender freshwater fish popular in the Great Lakes region, and Culver’s celebrates it with a hand-battered sandwich that appears seasonally during Lent. It’s one of those limited-time items that fans genuinely look forward to each year.

Source fresh walleye fillets from a local fish market or specialty grocery store. Dip each filet in a seasoned egg wash, then coat in panko breadcrumbs before pan-frying in butter and oil.

Serve on a toasted hoagie roll with shredded lettuce and homemade tartar sauce.

14. Crispy Chicken Tenders

Golden on the outside, juicy on the inside – chicken tenders are one of those foods that everyone, regardless of age, can agree on. Culver’s version has a satisfying crunch and uses all-white meat chicken.

For the crispiest homemade tenders, soak chicken strips in buttermilk for at least two hours before dredging in seasoned flour mixed with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Double-dredge for extra crunch.

Fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until cooked through and deeply golden. Serve with honey mustard or ranch for the full experience.

15. Onion Rings

Made with real sliced onions and fried to order, Culver’s onion rings have a satisfying crunch that sets them apart from the thin, forgettable rings at most fast food spots. The batter is the secret weapon here.

Slice yellow onions into half-inch rings and separate them carefully. Dip each ring in a cold, seasoned beer batter to keep it light and crispy.

Fry in small batches at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until beautifully golden. Let them drain on a wire rack and season immediately with a pinch of salt.

16. Cranberry Bacon Bleu Salad with Grilled Chicken

Not every Culver’s craving has to be fried or indulgent – this salad proves the menu has serious range. Layers of color, texture, and bold flavor make it anything but boring.

Toss mixed greens with halved grape tomatoes, sliced cucumber, dried cranberries, crumbled bleu cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Top with a grilled chicken breast seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic.

A balsamic vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing ties all those sweet, salty, and tangy flavors together in a genuinely satisfying way.

17. Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Sometimes the most comforting food is also the simplest. Culver’s grilled cheese is a kids’ menu staple, but honestly, adults love it just as much.

There’s something deeply satisfying about a perfectly crisped, buttery sandwich oozing with melted cheese.

Use thick-cut white bread and a generous layer of softened butter on the outside of each slice. American cheese melts the most evenly, but mixing in a slice of provolone adds extra flavor.

Cook low and slow in a skillet for an evenly golden, crispy crust without burning.

18. Classic Corn Dog

Few foods carry the same fun, nostalgic energy as a corn dog. Culver’s serves them as a crowd-pleasing kids’ meal option, but this homemade version is good enough to make any night feel like a fair day.

Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, an egg, and buttermilk into a thick batter. Insert wooden sticks into hot dogs, dip them fully in the batter, and fry in oil heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit until golden all around.

Mustard is the classic pairing, but ketchup works just as well for younger fans.