In-N-Out Burger Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, In-N-Out Burger cooks with: sunflower oil (fries; switched from cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top grill with minimal added oil. Across the 27 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at In-N-Out Burger
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: Hamburger + Coca-Cola, 3.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Hamburger | 3.0g |
| Cheeseburger | 4.0g |
| Grilled Cheese | 4.0g |
| Protein Style Burger (no bun) | 5.0g |
| Double-Double | 6.0g |
What to Avoid at In-N-Out Burger
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Animal Style Fries | 17.0g |
| Cheese Fries | 15.0g |
| Well-Done Fries | 15.0g |
| French Fries | 14.0g |
| 4x4 | 12.0g |
Frequently asked
Does In-N-Out Burger use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, In-N-Out Burger cooks with: sunflower oil (fries; switched from cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top grill with minimal added oil. Across the 27 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does In-N-Out Burger cook with?
Our research indicates: sunflower oil (fries; switched from cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top grill with minimal added oil. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does In-N-Out Burger use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates In-N-Out Burger cooks with sunflower oil (fries; switched from cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top grill with minimal added oil, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is In-N-Out Burger seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates In-N-Out Burger cooks with sunflower oil (fries; switched from cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top grill with minimal added oil, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at In-N-Out Burger?
Hamburger is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at In-N-Out Burger, at an estimated 3.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at In-N-Out Burger?
Animal Style Fries is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at In-N-Out Burger, at an estimated 17.0g 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.
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See where In-N-Out Burger 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.