CAVA's grilled steak is the lowest-calorie protein option on the menu at just 170 calories. With 23g of protein and only 9g of fat, it's a lean, high-quality choice for anyone watching their calories or macros or you can use cava grill nutrition calculator.
🏆 Why Steak Wins for Weight Loss:
At only 7.4 calories per gram of protein, CAVA steak is the most protein-efficient option on the menu. You get quality beef protein for fewer calories than any other protein choice!
Complete Nutrition Breakdown
Here's everything in CAVA's grilled steak:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 | 9% DV (2000 cal diet) |
| Protein | 23g | 46% DV |
| Total Fat | 9g | 12% DV |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% DV |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 0% DV |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% DV |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% DV |
| Sodium | 460mg | 20% DV |
| Cholesterol | 70mg | 23% DV |
| Iron | 3mg | 15% DV |
Steak vs Other CAVA Proteins
How does grilled steak compare to other protein options?
| Protein | Calories | Protein | Fat | Cal/g Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled Steak | 170 🏆 | 23g | 9g 🏆 | 7.4 🏆 |
| Braised Lamb | 210 | 24g | 12g | 8.8 |
| Grilled Chicken | 250 | 28g 🥇 | 13g | 8.9 |
| Harissa Honey Chicken | 260 | 26g | 14g | 10.0 |
| Spicy Lamb Meatballs | 220 | 18g | 15g | 12.2 |
| Falafel | 350 ❌ | 6g | 26g ❌ | 58.3 |
💡 Key Takeaway:
Steak wins in THREE categories: lowest calories (170), lowest fat (9g), and best protein efficiency (7.4). Chicken has more total protein (28g vs 23g), but steak gives you more protein per calorie!
The Good: Why Choose CAVA Steak?
✅ Benefits:
- • Lowest Calories: Only 170 cal
- • High Protein: 23g builds muscle
- • Low Fat: Just 9g total fat
- • Zero Carbs: Perfect for keto/low-carb
- • Iron-Rich: 15% DV (3mg)
- • Complete Protein: All essential amino acids
- • Satisfying: Red meat keeps you full
🎯 Best For:
- • Weight loss (fewest calories)
- • Cutting/fat loss phase
- • Low-carb/keto diets (0g carbs)
- • Maximizing protein per calorie
- • People who prefer red meat
- • Iron deficiency (good source)
The Considerations
⚠️ Things to Know:
- • Less protein than chicken: 23g vs chicken's 28g (5g difference)
- • Red meat concerns: Some prefer to limit red meat intake
- • Saturated fat: 3g (15% DV) - moderate amount
- • Cholesterol: 70mg (23% DV) - watch if monitoring
- • May cost more: Steak often has premium pricing
Complete Steak Bowl Examples
🥗 Ultra-Lean Steak Bowl (370 calories)
Perfect for: Maximum weight loss, cutting
Ingredients:
- • Grilled Steak (170 cal, 23g protein)
- • SuperGreens (35 cal, 3g protein)
- • Tomato + Cucumber (5 cal)
- • Pickled Onions (20 cal)
- • Cabbage Slaw (35 cal)
- • Hummus (50 cal, 2g protein)
- • Lemon Squeeze (0 cal)
Nutrition:
- • 370 calories
- • 28g protein
- • 17g carbs
- • 16g fat
🏆 Lowest-calorie high-protein bowl possible!
⭐ Balanced Steak Bowl (580 calories)
Perfect for: Most people, balanced nutrition
Ingredients:
- • Grilled Steak (170 cal, 23g protein)
- • Brown Rice (310 cal, 6g protein)
- • Hummus (50 cal, 2g protein)
- • Tomato + Onion (20 cal)
- • Pickled Onions (20 cal)
- • Lemon Squeeze (0 cal)
Nutrition:
- • 580 calories
- • 31g protein
- • 63g carbs
- • 17g fat
⭐ Great macros, filling, under 600 calories
💪 High-Protein Steak Bowl (720 calories)
Perfect for: Muscle building, post-workout
Ingredients:
- • Grilled Steak (170 cal, 23g protein)
- • Brown Rice (310 cal, 6g protein)
- • Hummus (50 cal, 2g protein)
- • Tzatziki (30 cal, 2g protein)
- • Crazy Feta (70 cal, 4g protein)
- • Tomato + Onion (20 cal)
- • Pickled Onions (20 cal)
- • Lemon Herb Tahini (70 cal, 2g protein)
Nutrition:
- • 720 calories
- • 43g protein 🔥
- • 72g carbs
- • 31g fat
💪 43g protein without double meat!
Steak vs Chicken: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | Grilled Steak | Grilled Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 ✅ | 250 |
| Protein | 23g | 28g ✅ |
| Fat | 9g ✅ | 13g |
| Cal per g Protein | 7.4 ✅ | 8.9 |
| Carbs | 0g ✅ | 3g |
| Iron | 15% DV ✅ | 6% DV |
| Sodium | 460mg ✅ | 670mg |
🥩 Choose Steak If:
- • You're cutting/losing weight
- • You want lowest calories
- • You're on keto/low-carb
- • You prefer red meat
- • You need iron
- • Every calorie counts
🍗 Choose Chicken If:
- • You want maximum protein (28g)
- • You're bulking/building muscle
- • You eat less red meat
- • You want most filling option
- • 80 extra calories is okay
Quality & Sourcing
CAVA's grilled steak is:
- 100% beef: No fillers or additives
- Grilled fresh: Cooked daily in-house
- Marinated: Simple Mediterranean seasoning
- Lean cut: Naturally lower in fat
- Quality controlled: Consistent nutrition
Common Questions
Q: Is CAVA steak grass-fed?
CAVA hasn't publicly specified if their steak is grass-fed. It's conventional beef from quality suppliers.
Q: Can I get double steak?
Yes! Double steak gives you 340 calories and 46g protein - excellent for high-protein goals.
Q: Is steak healthy for every day?
Moderate red meat consumption (3-4 times/week) is fine for most people. Mix in chicken and plant proteins for variety.
Q: Why is steak lower in calories than chicken?
CAVA's steak is a very lean cut with less fat. Their chicken has skin/dark meat portions, adding calories.
The Bottom Line
CAVA's grilled steak is the lowest-calorie, most protein-efficient option on the menu:
- ✅ Only 170 calories - lowest of all proteins
- ✅ 23g quality protein - builds muscle, keeps you full
- ✅ 9g fat - leanest option
- ✅ 0g carbs - perfect for keto/low-carb
- ✅ Rich in iron - 15% daily value
- ✅ Best protein efficiency - only 7.4 cal/g protein
💡 Final Verdict:
If you're trying to lose weight or maximize protein per calorie, steak is your best choice. At only 170 calories, you can build a complete bowl for under 600 calories while still getting 30-40g protein!
Build Your Perfect Steak Bowl
Use our calculator to create a custom steak bowl with exact nutrition tracking. See how steak compares to other proteins in real-time!
Try the Calculator