Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger: Price, Calories, Taste and Copycat Recipe
By Red Robin Menu USA | Updated September 2026
The Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger is Red Robin's smoky, saucy double burger. It has two beef patties, sweet BBQ sauce, cool ranch, bacon and American cheese on a sesame bun. Is it worth your money? This guide covers the current menu details, price, calories, taste and extras. You will also get a full copycat recipe you can make at home.
Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger at a Glance
Red Robin now lists this burger as the Cowboy Ranch Double on its official menu. Many guests still call it the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Double, or Tavern Burger. The official listing shows a "New" tag. Here are the quick facts.
What Is on the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger?
Red Robin's website lists these parts: Whiskey River® BBQ sauce, American cheese, smoky bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and ranch on a sesame seed bun. You choose your side.
The burger first arrived in spring 2018 as a limited-time item. That first version had two fire-grilled patties, bourbon-infused Whiskey River BBQ sauce, ranch, crispy onion straws, American cheese and lettuce. Red Robin has since changed the build. The current menu adds bacon, tomato and onion. It does not list onion straws.
The Tavern line sits below the gourmet burgers in size and price. If you like this style, read our guide to the Red Robin Tavern Burger menu. You can also compare it with the bigger Red Robin gourmet burgers.
Taste Review: What to Expect
Menu details tell us a lot about how this burger eats. Here is what the ingredients point to in each bite.
Sweet and smoky
The Whiskey River BBQ sauce leads the flavor. It is sweet, smoky and a little tangy. Bacon adds salt and a smoky crunch. Together they give you that classic cowboy taste.
Cool and creamy
Ranch keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy. It adds a tangy, herby cream that softens the BBQ. This mix of BBQ and ranch is the main idea of the burger.
Fresh crunch
Lettuce, tomato and onion add crunch and a bit of bite. They also cut through the cheese and sauce. Without them, the burger would feel very rich.
Double patty, soft bun
Two patties give you more beef in every bite. American cheese melts fast and holds the stack together. The sesame bun is soft, so it hugs the burger instead of fighting it.
Who will like it: Fans of BBQ burgers, bacon lovers and anyone who enjoys sweet and savory food. Who may skip it: Guests who want a spicy burger or a very simple one.
Burger Extras and Custom Options
Red Robin says special requests are part of its style. Options and extra charges change by location, so ask your server. These ideas work well with this burger:
- Pick your side. Every burger comes with a side. Bottomless Steak Fries are the classic pick. If you want fewer calories, ask about steamed broccoli or a side salad.
- Ask for extra ranch or BBQ sauce. Order it on the side if you like to control the sauce.
- Hold an ingredient. Skip onion, tomato or lettuce if you do not like them.
- Swap the patty. Red Robin offers chicken and veggie options on some burgers. Our veggie patties menu shows what is available.
- Add a drink. A cold soda or a thick shake goes well with BBQ. See the milkshakes menu and the drinks menu for ideas.
Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger Calories
Calorie numbers vary by source, because Red Robin has changed the recipe over time. Use the table below as a guide, and check Red Robin's official nutrition page for your exact order.
| Version | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cowboy Ranch Double (2026 menu list) | About 800 | Burger only |
| Cowboy Ranch Double Deal | 830 to 1,510 | Burger plus a side. The range depends on the side. |
| Older Tavern Double (restaurant ordering page) | 720 | Earlier recipe with onion straws |
| Older Tavern Double (nutrition tracker) | 660 | 38 g fat, 47 g carbs, 35 g protein, 1,190 mg sodium |
The older numbers show that this is a hearty burger. It is high in fat and sodium, and it packs plenty of protein. Your side changes the total a lot. Bottomless Steak Fries can add hundreds of calories if you refill them. To trim calories, pick broccoli or a side salad, or skip the refill.
Price: How Much Does It Cost?
One 2026 menu list shows the Cowboy Ranch Double at $14.89. The Big Yummm Deal version, which bundles the burger with extras, appears at $14.99. Older Tavern listings show much lower prices, so the burger has clearly moved up in price and size.
Prices change from city to city. Delivery and third-party apps often cost more. For the best price, order in the Red Robin app or check the Big Yummm Deals page on the official site.
Is the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger Worth Ordering?
For most burger fans, yes. The BBQ and ranch mix is easy to like, and the double patty makes it filling. It also comes with a side, which adds value.
Why order it
- Sweet, smoky and creamy flavor
- Two patties with bacon
- Comes with your choice of side
- Easy to customize
Why skip it
- High in calories and sodium
- Not spicy
- Price varies by location
- Bacon and sauce may feel heavy to some
Feeding a group? Look at the Red Robin family menu for bundles that may cost less per person.
Copycat Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger Recipe
You can make a very close version at home in about 30 minutes. This recipe follows the current Red Robin build. It makes 2 burgers. Nutrition is an estimate only.
Prep: 15 minutes. Cook: 15 minutes. Total: 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 2 sesame seed buns
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 slices bacon
- 4 tablespoons bourbon BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 4 tomato slices
- 4 thin red onion slices
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter, for the buns
Instructions
- Cook the bacon. Place the bacon in a cold skillet. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Move it to a paper towel.
- Shape the patties. Split the beef into four equal balls. Press each into a patty about 4 inches wide. Make a small dip in the center of each one. This keeps them flat as they cook.
- Season. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of every patty.
- Toast the buns. Butter the cut sides. Toast them in a skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until golden. Set them aside.
- Grill the patties. Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Add the sauce and cheese. Brush two patties with BBQ sauce in the last minute. Lay American cheese on the other two. Cover the pan for 30 seconds so the cheese melts.
- Build the burger. Spread ranch on both buns. Layer the bottom bun with lettuce, the cheese patty, the BBQ patty, bacon, tomato and onion. Add a little more ranch, then close with the top bun.
- Serve. Eat right away with fries, broccoli or a side salad.
Tips for the best result
- Do not press the patties while they cook. You will lose the juice.
- Use a bourbon or whiskey-style BBQ sauce for the closest flavor.
- Want the 2018 version? Skip the bacon and top the burger with crispy onion straws.
- Store leftover patties in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet.
Estimated nutrition per burger: about 780 calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger?
The official menu lists Whiskey River BBQ sauce, American cheese, smoky bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and ranch on a sesame seed bun. It comes with your choice of side.
How many calories are in the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger?
One 2026 menu list shows about 800 calories for the burger alone. Older Tavern versions were listed at 660 to 720 calories. Your side adds more, so check Red Robin's nutrition page.
How much does the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger cost?
A 2026 menu list shows about $14.89. Prices vary by location, so confirm the cost in the Red Robin app.
Does the burger come with fries?
It comes with your choice of side. Bottomless Steak Fries are the best-known choice.
Is the Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger spicy?
No. It is sweet, smoky and creamy. The Whiskey River BBQ sauce is bold, but it is not a hot sauce.
Can I make the burger at home?
Yes. Use the copycat recipe above. You need ground beef, buns, bacon, American cheese, bourbon BBQ sauce and ranch.
Final Verdict
The Cowboy Ranch Tavern Burger is a good pick if you want BBQ, bacon and ranch in one stack. It is filling, easy to customize and comes with a side. It is not light, so plan your side wisely. Use the menu details above, then confirm your price and calories with your local Red Robin.
Menu information comes from the official Red Robin menu page at redrobin.com and 2026 menu lists. Prices and calories were checked in September 2026.
View More Red Robin Menus
Keep exploring the Red Robin menu with these guides.