Long John Silver's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Long John Silver's cooks with: Batter-fries everything in a soybean/canola blend (~50% PUFA); battered coatings absorb a lot of oil, so fried platters run very high.. Across the 48 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
Safest Orders at Long John Silver's
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: Baja Fish Taco + Green Beans, 6.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Sweet & Sour | 0.0g |
| BBQ | 0.0g |
| Hushpuppies (2 pieces) | 5.0g |
| Fish Taco | 6.0g |
| Popcorn Shrimp | 6.0g |
What to Avoid at Long John Silver's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Fish, Shrimp & Clams Platter | 22.0g |
| 2 Fish & Fries Meal (with hushpuppies) | 20.0g |
| Chicken Meal (3 planks, fries, hushpuppies) | 20.0g |
| Fish & Chicken Meal (1 fish + 2 planks, fries, hushpuppies) | 20.0g |
| 8-Piece Shrimp Meal (fries, hushpuppies) | 18.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Long John Silver's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Long John Silver's cooks with: Batter-fries everything in a soybean/canola blend (~50% PUFA); battered coatings absorb a lot of oil, so fried platters run very high.. Across the 48 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does Long John Silver's cook with?
Our research indicates: Batter-fries everything in a soybean/canola blend (~50% PUFA); battered coatings absorb a lot of oil, so fried platters run very high.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Long John Silver's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Long John Silver's cooks with Batter-fries everything in a soybean/canola blend (~50% PUFA); battered coatings absorb a lot of oil, so fried platters run very high., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Long John Silver's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Long John Silver's cooks with Batter-fries everything in a soybean/canola blend (~50% PUFA); battered coatings absorb a lot of oil, so fried platters run very high., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Long John Silver's?
Sweet & Sour is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Long John Silver's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Long John Silver's?
Fish, Shrimp & Clams Platter is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Long John Silver's, 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
Little Caesars · Little Greek Fresh Grill · Logan's Roadhouse · LongHorn Steakhouse · Los Betos · Lou Malnati's
See where Long John Silver's 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.