Nando's Canada Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Nando's Canada cooks with: sunflower oil (PERi-Fries and other fried sides; the PERi-PERi marinade/sauce base is also a sunflower-seed vegetable oil); chicken itself is flame-grilled, not deep-fried, so mains carry much less added PUFA than the fried sides. Across the 28 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Nando's Canada
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: 1/4 Chicken Breast + Bottled Still Water, 4.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Naughty Natas (Portuguese Custard Tarts) | 2.0g |
| 1/4 Chicken Breast | 4.0g |
| 1/4 Chicken Leg | 5.0g |
| Chicken Thigh Skewers | 6.0g |
| PERi Mac | 6.0g |
What to Avoid at Nando's Canada
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| PERi-Fries (Large) | 22.0g |
| PERi-Fries (Regular) | 16.0g |
| Whole Chicken | 15.0g |
| Golden Cauliflower | 15.0g |
| Veggie Burger | 11.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Nando's Canada use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Nando's Canada cooks with: sunflower oil (PERi-Fries and other fried sides; the PERi-PERi marinade/sauce base is also a sunflower-seed vegetable oil); chicken itself is flame-grilled, not deep-fried, so mains carry much less added PUFA than the fried sides. Across the 28 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Nando's Canada cook with?
Our research indicates: sunflower oil (PERi-Fries and other fried sides; the PERi-PERi marinade/sauce base is also a sunflower-seed vegetable oil); chicken itself is flame-grilled, not deep-fried, so mains carry much less added PUFA than the fried sides. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Nando's Canada use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Nando's Canada cooks with sunflower oil (PERi-Fries and other fried sides; the PERi-PERi marinade/sauce base is also a sunflower-seed vegetable oil); chicken itself is flame-grilled, not deep-fried, so mains carry much less added PUFA than the fried sides, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Nando's Canada seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Nando's Canada cooks with sunflower oil (PERi-Fries and other fried sides; the PERi-PERi marinade/sauce base is also a sunflower-seed vegetable oil); chicken itself is flame-grilled, not deep-fried, so mains carry much less added PUFA than the fried sides, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Nando's Canada?
Naughty Natas (Portuguese Custard Tarts) is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Nando's Canada, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Nando's Canada?
PERi-Fries (Large) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Nando's Canada, at an estimated 22.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where Nando's Canada lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.