Cookout Tray Menu 2026: Prices, Calories, Options & Best Combos
The Cookout Tray Menu is one of the easiest ways to build a filling, customizable meal at Cook Out — one main, two sides, and a drink. Here’s the full 2026 breakdown of prices, calories, and the best combos before you order.
The Cookout Tray Menu is one of the easiest ways to build a filling, customizable meal at Cook Out. A typical tray combines a main item, two sides, and a drink, with choices such as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken quesadillas. For the Cookout Tray Menu 2026, reported prices vary by location and selection, so this guide breaks down the Cookout Tray Menu with prices, popular Cookout Tray items, and value options before you order.
What Is a Cookout Tray? What’s Included
A Cook Out Tray is a customizable combo built around
- One entrée
- Two sides
- A drink
Depending on the restaurant and tray type, choices can include burgers, barbecue, chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas, fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, chili, slaw, nuggets, or corn dogs. Some locations also allow a side to be doubled or a drink to be upgraded to a milkshake for an additional charge. Because selections and prices can vary locally, checking your restaurant’s current menu is the best way to confirm available options.
Cook Out Tray Options
Cook Out offers two main tray sizes:
- 1 Entrée + 2 Sides + 1 Drink
- Choose two sides, or double up
- ~700–1,250+ calories depending on picks
- Upgrade to Fancy Milkshake — +$1.60
- 1 Entrée + 2 Sides + 1 Drink
- Choose two sides, or double up
- ~400–650 calories depending on picks
- Upgrade to Fancy Milkshake — +$1.60
1. Regular Cook-Out Tray
The Regular Cook Out Tray is the larger tray option and is better suited to bigger appetites. It typically includes one entrée, two sides, and a drink. Depending on the location, entrée choices may include a Big Double, ¼ lb. burger, a BBQ sandwich, three chicken strips, two hot dogs, or two quesadillas. In 2026, the regular tray is commonly reported at about $7.39–$7.99, with roughly 700–1,250+ calories, depending on the selections.
The calorie figures below are for the individual menu item, not the complete tray. Cook Out’s official nutrition information lists several of these items at slightly different values than older online menu guides, so the figures below use the current published nutrition data where available.
Choose 1 for Tray (Choosing Your Main Course)
The Regular Tray gives you a broad selection of burgers, chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, chicken strips, and quesadillas. Your choice of main also has a major effect on the final calorie count.
| Regular Cookout Tray — Main | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Big Double Burger | $6.29–$7.69* | 330 |
| Regular 1/4 LB. Burger | $6.29–$7.69 | 330 |
| Regular Chicken | $6.29–$7.69 | 380 |
| Cajun Chicken | $6.29–$7.69 | 380 |
| Spicy Chicken | $6.29–$7.69* | 450 |
| BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken | $6.29–$7.69 | 380 |
| 3 Chicken Strips or Sandwich | $6.29–$7.69 | 660 |
| Barbecue (Regular) | $6.29–$7.69 | 370 |
| 2 Hot Dogs | $6.29–$7.69 | 520 |
| 2 Quesadillas (Chicken or Beef) | $6.29–$7.69 | 450 / 520 |
Choose 2 Sides or Double Up (Selecting Sides)
Your two side selections make the tray easy to customize. You can choose two different sides or, where available, double up on a favorite.
| Side Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Bacon Wrap | 420 |
| Cheese Bites, white cheddar | 190–380 |
| Chicken Nuggets | About 144–150 |
| Chicken Wrap: Ranch, Cajun, or Honey Mustard | 500–520 |
| Corn Dog with mustard and ketchup | 220 |
| Fries | 350 |
| Hush Puppies | 300 |
The listed fries and hush-puppy figures match commonly published serving estimates; nuggets are often listed at approximately 144 calories per side portion.
Choose a Beverage (Finding Your Perfect Drink)
The beverage can range from zero-calorie water or diet soda to sweet tea, a float, or a shake. Calories vary considerably depending on the drink and size.
| Beverage | Calories |
|---|---|
| Large Drink | 0–290 |
| Huge Tea | About 390 |
| Dasani Bottled Water, 20 oz. | 0 |
| Cheerwine Float | About 380 |
| Coke Float | About 380 |
| Regular Shake, substitute | About 510–900 |
You can get a regular shake as a substitute for a drink or upgrade to a Fancy Milkshake for an additional charge. The commonly reported 2026 upgrade is around $1.60, but the exact surcharge can vary by restaurant.
2. Junior Cook Out Tray
The Junior Cook Out Tray is the smaller option and works well for lighter appetites or smaller meals. It also typically includes one entrée, two sides, and a drink, but the main item is smaller than the Regular Tray. Available choices may include a small burger, BLT, hot dog, two chicken strips, or a single quesadilla. Reported menu examples put the Jr. Tray at around $5.99–$6.49, with approximately 400–650 calories, depending on what you choose.
| Cookout Jr. Tray Main | Typical Tray Price | Main-Item Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small Burger | $5.29–$6.49 | 240 |
| 2 Chicken Strips | $5.29–$6.49 | 440 |
| 2 Corn Dogs | $5.29–$6.49 | 440 |
| BLT Sandwich | $5.29–$6.49 | 400 |
| 1 Hot Dog | $5.29–$6.49 | 260 |
| 1 Quesadilla, chicken or beef | $5.29–$6.49 | 220 / 260 |
Prices, available entrées, portions, and calories can vary by location, so check the local Cook Out menu for the most accurate details.
Choose 1 for Jr. Tray (Choosing Your Main Course)
The Jr. Tray is useful for a smaller appetite or for diners who care more about mixing sides than ordering a large entrée. A small burger, hot dog, or quesadilla can leave room for fries, nuggets, or a lighter drink.
| Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small Burger | 240 |
| 2 Chicken Strips | 440 |
| 2 Corn Dogs | 440 |
| BLT Sandwich | 400 |
| 1 Hot Dog | 260 |
| 1 Quesadilla, chicken or beef | 220 / 260 |
The official nutrition sheet lists the Small Burger at 240 calories and the BLT Sandwich at 400 calories. Two chicken strips are approximately 440 calories based on the published 660 calories for three strips.
Choose 2 Sides or Double Up (Selecting Sides)
The Jr. Tray uses many of the same side choices as the Regular Tray. Choosing two lighter sides can keep the overall meal considerably lower in calories than pairing two wraps or other heavier options.
| Side Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Bacon Wrap | 420 |
| Cheese Bites, white cheddar | 190–380 |
| Chicken Nuggets | About 144–150 |
| Chicken Wrap: Ranch, Cajun, or Honey Mustard | 500–520 |
| Corn Dog with mustard and ketchup | 220 |
| Fries | 350 |
| Hush Puppies | 300 |
Choose a Beverage (Finding Your Perfect Drink)
| Beverage | Calories |
|---|---|
| Large Drink | 0–290 |
| Huge Tea | About 390 |
| Dasani Bottled Water, 20 oz. | 0 |
| Cheerwine Float | About 380 |
| Coke Float | About 380 |
| Regular Shake, substitute | About 510–900 |
A water or zero-calorie soft drink is the easiest way to keep beverage calories low, while sweet tea, floats, and shakes can add substantially more calories.
A regular shake can typically replace the standard drink, while a Fancy Milkshake upgrade is often around $1.60 extra. Check the current in-store board for the final price.
Most Popular Cookout Tray Menu
The Cookout Tray is popular because it combines a substantial main with two customizable sides and a drink in one meal. The menu gives you plenty of ways to build a tray around burgers, chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, quesadillas, or chicken strips.
Your best choice depends on whether you prefer a filling burger, crispy chicken, grilled flavors, or a snack-heavy combination.
Best Cookout Tray Options
The best Cookout Tray option depends on your appetite and the flavors you enjoy most. Some customers prefer a classic burger-and-fries combination, while others use the tray to sample several different Cook Out favorites. Here are eight popular choices to consider when building your tray.
Big Double Burger
The Big Double Burger is a substantial burger choice for a regular tray and is listed at 330 calories before additional toppings. Pair it with fries and a zero-calorie drink for a straightforward burger tray.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a good choice when you want a crispy chicken main with more heat. Cook Out’s current nutrition information lists the Spicy Chicken Breast at 450 calories before sides and beverage selections. Fries, nuggets, or hush puppies can complement the spicy main depending on how filling you want the tray to be.
Char Grilled Hot Dogs
The Regular Tray can include two hot dogs, making this a simple option for customers who prefer classic grilled flavors. Two standard hot dogs total about 520 calories before sides and drinks. Fries and Cheerwine make a recognizable Cook Out-style pairing, while water or a zero-calorie soda keeps the drink lighter.
Chicken Strips
Three Chicken Strips are one of the more filling Regular Tray mains, with 660 calories according to Cook Out’s nutrition information. They are a strong choice if you prefer crispy chicken rather than a burger or grilled chicken sandwich. Because the strips are already calorie-dense, pairing them with a lighter beverage can help balance the meal.
Hush Puppies
Hush Puppies are a classic Southern-style side made from fried cornmeal and are listed at 300 calories per side serving. They add a different texture from fries and work especially well with chicken, barbecue, and hot dogs. If you want variety, pair hush puppies with a side that has a different flavor and texture rather than doubling up.
Cheerwine
Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink strongly associated with the Carolinas and is a recognizable Cook Out beverage choice. Cook Out’s nutrition information lists a regular 16-ounce Cheerwine at 144 calories, while the Cheerwine Float is 380 calories. Choose the regular drink for a lighter option or the float when you want a dessert-style finish.
Cajun Chicken & Fries
Cajun Chicken gives the tray a seasoned grilled-chicken flavor without choosing the breaded Spicy Chicken option. Cook Out’s nutrition information lists the base Char-Grilled Chicken Breast at 380 calories, with Cajun style available as a preparation option. Fries add about 350 calories, so this pairing is filling even before the second side and drink are counted.
Quesadilla (Chicken or Beef)
Quesadillas are a versatile choice because customers can select chicken or beef depending on their preference. Cook Out’s official nutrition information lists a chicken quesadilla at 440 calories and a beef quesadilla at 520 calories. Choose chicken when you want the lower-calorie option, then use the two sides and beverage to customize the rest of the meal.
Best Cookout Tray Combinations
The best combination depends on your appetite, favorite flavors, and how heavy you want the complete meal to be. A good strategy is to choose the main first, add two sides with contrasting textures, and then select a beverage that matches the richness of the meal.
- Classic Burger Tray: Big Double Burger + Fries + Hush Puppies + Large Drink
- Spicy Chicken Tray: Spicy Chicken + Fries + Chicken Nuggets + Large Drink
- Southern-Style Tray: Regular Barbecue + Hush Puppies + Fries + Sweet Tea
- Cajun Chicken Tray: Cajun Chicken + Fries + Cheese Bites + Zero-Calorie Drink
- Snack-Style Tray: 2 Chicken or Beef Quesadillas + Bacon Wrap + Corn Dog + Large Drink
- Smaller Tray: Small Burger + Chicken Nuggets + Hush Puppies + Water
Healthiest Cookout Tray Menu
There is no single “healthiest” Cookout Tray because the final nutrition total depends on the main, both sides, drink, toppings, sauces, and any shake substitution. If calories are your main concern, start with options such as the Small Burger, Regular 1/4 LB. Burger, grilled chicken, or water rather than automatically choosing fried sides, floats, or large shakes. Cook Out’s official nutrition information can help you compare individual items before building the complete tray.
For a lighter tray, choose a grilled chicken main, one or two lower-calorie sides where available, and water or a zero-calorie beverage. Remember that a tray’s total calories can rise quickly when you combine a high-calorie entrée with fries, wraps, sweet tea, a float, or a milkshake. “Healthier” is therefore best understood as a relative choice rather than a claim that the complete tray is a low-calorie meal.
Tips for Cookout Tray Menu
A Cookout Tray is easiest to customize when you decide on your main before choosing the sides and drink. These tips can help you get better value while building a tray that fits your appetite.
Start With the MainChoose your main first because it determines the overall style and a large portion of the meal’s calories. Grilled chicken and a regular burger can be very different choices from chicken strips or two hot dogs.
Mix Your Two SidesChoose two different sides when you want more variety. Fries with hush puppies, for example, give you different textures, while nuggets and fries create a more chicken-focused combination.
Watch Shake UpgradesA milkshake can add hundreds of calories to a tray, particularly with richer flavors. If you’re already choosing fried sides and a heavier main, consider keeping the included beverage instead.
Use Drinks StrategicallyWater and zero-calorie soft drinks can reduce the beverage calories in your tray. This is particularly useful when your main and sides are already calorie-dense.
Check Local PricesCook Out does not have one universally posted tray price for every restaurant. A $7.39 Regular Tray and $6.39 Jr. Tray are commonly reported 2026 prices, but your local menu board should be treated as the final authority.
How Much Is a Cookout Tray After Tax?
The Regular Cookout Tray is commonly around $7.39 before tax in 2026, while the Jr. Tray is commonly around $6.39. Actual prices can vary by restaurant and local market, so these figures should be treated as typical reference prices rather than a guaranteed nationwide price.
To estimate the price after tax, multiply the menu price by one plus your local sales-tax rate. For example, a $7.39 Regular Tray with a 7% sales tax would cost approximately $7.91 before any additional upgrades or add-ons.
A shake substitution or Fancy Milkshake upgrade can increase the final amount, and local menu pricing may differ. Always check the restaurant’s current board for the exact total.
New Cookout Tray Menu List 2026-27
The Cookout Tray continues to follow a flexible formula of one main item, two sides, and a beverage.
The Regular Tray provides larger entrée choices such as burgers, grilled chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, quesadillas, and chicken strips.
The Jr. Tray focuses on smaller choices such as the Small Burger, chicken strips, corn dogs, BLT, hot dog, and quesadilla.
Popular sides include fries, hush puppies, chicken nuggets, wraps, corn dogs, and cheese-based sides, while beverage choices range from water and soft drinks to tea, floats, and shakes. Because prices and availability can change by location, check your selected Cook Out restaurant’s current menu board before ordering.
Why Should You Try the Cookout Tray?
The Cookout Tray is a practical choice when you want variety without ordering several separate menu items. Its combination of a main, two sides, and a drink lets you create a meal around your appetite and favorite Cook Out flavors.
- Customizable meal: Choose your preferred main, two sides, and beverage.
- Good variety: Build a tray around burgers, chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, or quesadillas.
- Two tray sizes: Pick the Regular Tray for a larger meal or the Jr. Tray for a smaller option.
- Flexible sides: Mix two sides or double up when you have a favorite.
- Easy to personalize: Drink choices and shake substitutions let you change the tray to suit your preferences.
FAQs
How much is a Cookout Tray?
A Regular Cookout Tray typically costs about $6.29–$7.49 before tax, depending on the restaurant location and selected options. A Junior Tray is usually cheaper, often around $4.99–$6.39.
What comes in a Cookout Tray?
A Cookout Tray includes one main entrée, two sides — or two of the same side — and a large drink. You may usually substitute the drink with a milkshake for an added charge.
What menu items can I get in a Cookout Tray?
Regular Tray mains can include burgers, char-grilled chicken, spicy or Cajun chicken, barbecue, chicken strips, hot dogs, and quesadillas. Junior Tray choices are smaller and commonly include a small burger, two strips, two corn dogs, BLT, one hot dog, or one quesadilla.
What sides can I pick for a Cookout Tray?
Common tray sides include fries, hush puppies, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, bacon wraps, chicken wraps, and white-cheddar cheese bites. Availability can vary by restaurant, and you can choose two different sides or double up on one.
Can I get a milkshake in a Cookout Tray?
Yes, you can usually replace the standard tray drink with a regular milkshake or upgrade to a Fancy Milkshake. Recent menu guides list the Fancy Milkshake upgrade at approximately $1.60, but local pricing may differ.
What’s the difference between Regular and Junior Cookout Trays?
A Regular Tray has a larger selection of mains, including larger burgers, barbecue, chicken sandwiches, two hot dogs, or two quesadillas. A Junior Tray has smaller main portions and lower prices, but it still generally includes two sides and a drink.
Are there any vegetarian options in the Cookout Tray?
Cook Out does not offer a dedicated vegetarian patty or plant-based tray entrée, but cheese quesadillas and some sides may suit vegetarians. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and shared fryer practices, especially if you avoid meat completely; milkshakes contain dairy and are not vegan.
Conclusion
The Cookout Tray Menu is a popular customizable meal that includes one main item, two sides, and a drink. The Regular Tray typically costs around $6.29–$7.69, while the Jr. Tray is commonly $5.29–$6.49, depending on location.
Popular Regular Tray mains include the Big Double Burger, Regular Chicken, Cajun Chicken, Spicy Chicken, BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken, three Chicken Strips, two Hot Dogs, and two Quesadillas. Jr. options include a Small Burger, Chicken Strips, Corn Dogs, BLT, Hot Dog, or Quesadilla.
You can choose sides such as fries, hush puppies, nuggets, cheese bites, and wraps, plus drinks including water, tea, floats, or shakes. Prices and nutrition may vary by location.
