Gold Star Chili Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Gold Star Chili cooks with: Soybean/vegetable oil for fries and fried items; Cincinnati chili sauce is beef-based (tallow/beef fat). Across the 66 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Gold Star Chili
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: Bowl of Chili + Iced Tea, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Side of Chili | 1.0g |
| Bowl of Vegetarian Chili | 2.0g |
| Bowl of Chili | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Hot Dog | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Gold Star Chili
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad | 14.0g |
| Chili Salad | 13.0g |
| Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich | 13.0g |
| Vegetarian Chili Salad | 13.0g |
| Classic Chicken Sandwich | 12.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Gold Star Chili use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Gold Star Chili cooks with: Soybean/vegetable oil for fries and fried items; Cincinnati chili sauce is beef-based (tallow/beef fat). Across the 66 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Gold Star Chili cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean/vegetable oil for fries and fried items; Cincinnati chili sauce is beef-based (tallow/beef fat). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Gold Star Chili use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: Soybean/vegetable oil for fries and fried items; Cincinnati chili sauce is beef-based (tallow/beef fat). Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is Gold Star Chili seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Gold Star Chili cooks with Soybean/vegetable oil for fries and fried items; Cincinnati chili sauce is beef-based (tallow/beef fat), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Gold Star Chili?
Side of Chili is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Gold Star Chili, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Gold Star Chili?
Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Gold Star Chili, at an estimated 14.0g 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
Giordano's · Glory Days Grill · Godfather's Pizza · Golden Chick · Golden Corral · Golden Krust
See where Gold Star Chili 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.