LongHorn Steakhouse’s “Flavorful Under 500” menu is a haven for diners who want the bold, savory taste of a steakhouse without the calorie overload. This curated selection of entrées, sides, and salads all under 500 calories caters to health-conscious eaters, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone craving a guilt-free meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Drawing from LongHorn’s official site, wellness blogs like The Diet Chefs, and reviews from sources like CarrieWithChildren and Run DMT, this guide dives deep into the menu’s offerings, nutritional benefits, and practical tips for enjoying it in 2025. Whether you’re wondering what dishes are included, if sides count toward the calorie limit, or how fresh the ingredients are, we’ve got you covered.
What Makes the LongHorn Under 500 Menu Special?
The “Flavorful Under 500” menu is LongHorn’s response to the growing demand for healthier dining options. Every entrée, complete with a side and salad, is designed to stay under 500 calories, making it ideal for those managing weight, counting calories, or seeking a lighter steakhouse experience. LongHorn’s official site emphasizes the use of whole foods, lean proteins, and fresh vegetables, with no MSG in most preparations (except ranch dressing). Salads are hand-chopped daily, and meats are freshly cut, ensuring top-notch quality and freshness.
This menu stands out for its balance of indulgence and nutrition. You can savor steakhouse classics like filet mignon or grilled salmon without the guilt of heavy, calorie-laden dishes. As Healthy Girl Adventures (2024) points out, LongHorn’s online nutrition calculator provides transparency, letting diners customize orders to fit their dietary goals. Priced between $10 and $30, the menu also offers value in an era of rising food costs, as noted by Investopedia, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious diners seeking restaurant-quality meals.
What Dishes Are Included in the LongHorn Under 500 Menu?
The Under 500 menu features a variety of entrées that deliver bold flavors while keeping calories in check. Here’s a detailed look at the standout options, based on LongHorn’s menu and customer feedback:
- Flo’s Filet (6–7 oz, ~420 kcal): A tender, center-cut filet mignon seasoned with LongHorn’s signature “prairie dust” blend and grilled to your preferred doneness. Often paired with steamed broccoli or a mixed green salad, it’s a high-protein, low-carb favorite. The Diet Chefs (2024) recommends it with a lobster tail (without sauce) for a luxurious surf-and-turf option.
- Renegade Sirloin (6 oz, ~400 kcal): A lean, juicy sirloin seasoned with LongHorn’s proprietary spice blend and grilled to perfection. It’s typically served with fresh seasonal vegetables, making it a go-to for steak lovers. CarrieWithChildren (2012) called it a “flavorful, guilt-free indulgence.”
- Sierra Chicken (~340 kcal): A lighter portion of grilled chicken breast topped with a vibrant tomato-basil salsa, served with steamed vegetables. Its fresh, tangy flavors make it a non-steak standout.
- Napa Grilled Chicken (<500 kcal): Grilled chicken breast topped with artichokes, portabella mushrooms, and roasted tomatoes in a light lemon butter sauce, paired with a side salad. Bloggers praise its Mediterranean-inspired taste.
- LongHorn Salmon (7 oz, ~410 kcal): Fresh Atlantic salmon marinated in a bourbon glaze, grilled, and served over rice with steamed asparagus. It’s packed with heart-healthy omega-3s and a subtle sweetness.
- Grilled Rainbow Trout (~380 kcal): Lightly seasoned, flaky rainbow trout served with fresh vegetables or a mixed green salad. Healthy Girl Adventures (2024) highlights its simplicity and gluten-free appeal.
These dishes cater to diverse tastes, from steak and chicken to seafood, ensuring there’s something for everyone watching their calorie intake.
Are Sides and Salads Included in the Calorie Count?
Yes, the Under 500 menu is designed so that each entrée’s calorie count includes a side and a salad, keeping the total under 500 calories. LongHorn’s official site and lowcalorieeating.blogspot.com confirm that the menu is structured to provide a complete meal without exceeding the calorie limit. For example, pairing a Renegade Sirloin (~400 kcal) with steamed asparagus (~80 kcal) and a mixed green salad (~110 kcal) keeps you well within the 500-calorie cap.
To help you stay on track, here are low-calorie sides to choose from:
- Steamed Asparagus (~80 kcal): Crisp, lightly seasoned, and nutrient-rich.
- Fresh Seasonal Vegetables (~90 kcal): A rotating mix of zucchini, carrots, or green beans for variety.
- Mixed Green Side Salad (~110 kcal): Hand-chopped greens with light vinaigrette, a refreshing complement.
- Steamed Broccoli (~90 kcal): Simple and healthy, perfect with steak or chicken.
- Caesar Salad (~250 kcal): A slightly higher-calorie option, best paired with lighter entrées like the Sierra Chicken.
Avoid calorie-heavy sides like loaded baked potatoes (~500+ kcal) or creamy sauces to stay within the Under 500 goal. LongHorn’s nutrition calculator lets you verify calorie counts for customized orders.
Is the Food Freshly Prepared and MSG-Free?
LongHorn takes pride in its fresh, high-quality ingredients. As noted by Run DMT (2013) and Healthy Girl Adventures (2024), meats are hand-cut, and vegetables are chopped daily, ensuring peak freshness. The menu is largely MSG-free, with the exception of ranch dressing, making it suitable for diners with sensitivities. This commitment to quality extends to the Under 500 menu, where fresh ingredients enhance flavors without relying on heavy additives. For example, the Sierra Chicken’s tomato-basil salsa and the Napa Grilled Chicken’s roasted vegetable toppings showcase LongHorn’s focus on fresh, vibrant components.
The gluten-free options, as highlighted by Healthy Girl Adventures, further cater to dietary needs, with dishes like the Grilled Rainbow Trout being naturally gluten-free. LongHorn’s transparency—via its online nutrition calculator—lets diners confirm ingredient details, ensuring confidence in their choices.
Why the Under 500 Menu Matters in 2025
Nutritional Benefits
The Under 500 menu is a nutritional win, offering lean proteins like sirloin, chicken, and fish that support muscle maintenance and satiety. Fresh vegetables add fiber and micronutrients, while light seasonings avoid excess fats. The Diet Chefs (2024) notes that dishes like Flo’s Filet with steamed broccoli are low-carb and high-protein, ideal for keto or low-calorie diets. The menu’s balance ensures you feel full without the bloating often associated with heavy steakhouse meals.
Economic Value
With food prices on the rise, as reported by Business Insider, dining at LongHorn offers affordability. Under 500 menu entrées.
Why the Under 500 Menu Matters in 2025
The Under 500 menu’s entrées, priced between $10 and $30, provide restaurant-quality meals at a cost that’s competitive with preparing similar dishes at home, especially given the rising grocery prices noted by Investopedia. This affordability, combined with the menu’s health focus, makes it a smart choice for diners seeking value and wellness.
Health and Wellness Trends
In 2025, consumers are prioritizing health without sacrificing flavor, and LongHorn’s Under 500 menu delivers. As dining out becomes a convenient alternative to costly home cooking, this menu caters to those tracking calories, managing weight, or following specific diets like keto or gluten-free. The transparency of LongHorn’s online nutrition calculator empowers diners to make informed choices, aligning with the trend toward mindful eating. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or simply want a lighter meal, the Under 500 menu offers hearty portions that satisfy without overloading on calories.
Flexibility for Diverse Diets
The menu’s versatility is a key strength. For keto dieters, options like Flo’s Filet paired with steamed broccoli provide high-protein, low-carb meals. Seafood lovers can opt for the Grilled Rainbow Trout or LongHorn Salmon, both rich in omega-3s and naturally gluten-free, as noted by Healthy Girl Adventures (2024). The ability to customize orders—using LongHorn’s nutrition calculator—ensures the menu fits various dietary needs, from low-calorie to gluten-free, making it accessible to a wide audience.
How to Make the Most of the Under 500 Menu
To get the best experience from the LongHorn Under 500 menu, consider these practical tips:
- Build a Balanced Meal: Choose an entrée like the Sierra Chicken (~340 kcal), pair it with steamed asparagus (~80 kcal), and add a mixed green salad (~110 kcal) for a complete meal under 600 calories. This combo maximizes flavor and nutrition while staying within your calorie goals.
- Skip High-Calorie Add-Ons: Avoid butter-based sauces, cheese toppings, or creamy dressings like ranch, which contains MSG. Opt for light vinaigrette or no sauce to keep calories low. For example, The Diet Chefs (2024) suggests skipping the sauce on the lobster tail paired with Flo’s Filet for a keto-friendly meal.
- Plan for Dessert: If you’re eyeing a dessert like LongHorn’s Strawberry Shortcake (~500 kcal), choose a lighter entrée like the Sierra Chicken to balance your calorie intake.
- Leverage the Nutrition Calculator: LongHorn’s online tool provides real-time calorie counts, letting you tailor orders to your dietary needs. This is especially useful for confirming whether customizations stay under 500 calories.
- Stick to Portion Sizes: The menu’s portions (e.g., 6 oz sirloin) are designed to keep calories in check. Avoid upsizing to larger cuts to maintain the Under 500 promise.
Customer Reviews and Real-World Feedback
Diners and bloggers have consistently praised the Under 500 menu for its flavor and quality:
- CarrieWithChildren (2012) raved about the Renegade Sirloin, paired with a side salad and green beans, calling it “filled with flavor” and satisfying for calorie-conscious eaters.
- Run DMT (2013) highlighted the menu’s freshness, noting hand-cut meats and daily-chopped vegetables, making it a family-friendly, healthy option.
- The Diet Chefs (2024) spotlighted Flo’s Filet with a lobster tail (sans sauce) as a low-carb, high-protein choice, perfect for keto diets.
- Healthy Girl Adventures (2024) emphasized the menu’s gluten-free options and fresh ingredients, appealing to those with dietary restrictions.
These reviews highlight the menu’s ability to deliver steakhouse-quality meals that align with health goals, making it a favorite for diverse diners.
Can You Customize Under 500 Meals for Dietary Needs?
Absolutely, the Under 500 menu is highly customizable. LongHorn’s nutrition calculator allows you to adjust orders to fit specific diets. For example:
- Keto/Low-Carb: Pair Flo’s Filet or Renegade Sirloin with steamed broccoli or asparagus to minimize carbs while maximizing protein.
- Gluten-Free: Opt for the Grilled Rainbow Trout or LongHorn Salmon, which are naturally gluten-free, and confirm with the nutrition calculator to avoid gluten-containing sides or sauces.
- Low-Calorie: Stick to entrées like Sierra Chicken (~340 kcal) and pair with a mixed green salad (~110 kcal) to stay well under 500 calories.
- Low-Sodium or MSG-Free: Since most dishes are MSG-free (except ranch dressing), you can request no sauce or light seasoning to reduce sodium, as confirmed by Run DMT (2013).
The ability to tailor meals makes the Under 500 menu versatile for various dietary preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy a flavorful, healthy meal.
Why Freshness and Quality Matter
LongHorn’s commitment to quality sets the Under 500 menu apart. As Run DMT (2013) and Healthy Girl Adventures (2024) note, meats are hand-cut, and vegetables are chopped daily, ensuring peak freshness. The absence of MSG (except in ranch dressing) caters to those with sensitivities, while the gluten-free options broaden accessibility. For example, the Sierra Chicken’s tomato-basil salsa and the Napa Grilled Chicken’s roasted vegetable toppings highlight LongHorn’s focus on vibrant, fresh ingredients. This dedication to quality ensures that every bite is flavorful without relying on heavy additives, making the menu both delicious and health-conscious.
The Under 500 Menu in 2025: Why It’s a Game-Changer
Affordability in a High-Cost World
With grocery prices climbing, as reported by Business Insider, dining at LongHorn offers a cost-effective alternative. Under 500 menu entrées, priced between $10 and $30, deliver restaurant-quality meals without the expense of sourcing premium ingredients at home. This affordability makes the menu appealing for budget-conscious diners who still want a high-quality dining experience.
Aligning with Wellness Trends
In 2025, diners are prioritizing health without sacrificing taste, and the Under 500 menu delivers. The menu’s transparency—via the nutrition calculator—and fresh, high-quality ingredients cater to the trend toward mindful eating. Whether you’re tracking calories for weight management or seeking gluten-free options, the menu offers flexibility and satisfaction.
A Guilt-Free Steakhouse Experience
Unlike traditional steakhouse fare, which can exceed 1000 calories per meal, the Under 500 menu provides hearty portions that leave you full but not weighed down. The combination of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and light seasonings ensures a balanced meal that aligns with modern wellness goals.
Final Thoughts
LongHorn Steakhouse’s Flavorful Under 500 menu is a standout choice for diners seeking bold, steakhouse flavors without the calorie overload. With entrées like Flo’s Filet, Renegade Sirloin, Sierra Chicken, and LongHorn Salmon, paired with fresh sides like steamed asparagus or mixed green salads, the menu delivers satisfaction and nutrition. Its use of hand-cut meats, daily-chopped vegetables, and MSG-free ingredients (except ranch dressing) ensures quality, while prices between $10 and $30 offer value in 2025’s high-cost economy. Whether you’re managing weight, following a keto or gluten-free diet, or simply craving a lighter meal, this menu has you covered. Visit LongHorn’s website to explore the menu, use the nutrition calculator, or find a location near you for a flavorful, guilt-free dining experience today.
