On The Border Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, On The Border cooks with: Soybean/corn blend (frying); canola (grill/sauté); dairy (queso, sour cream). Across the 95 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at On The Border
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: House Salad + Iced Tea, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Pico de Gallo | 0.0g |
| Sour Cream | 0.5g |
| House Salad | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Tomatillo Chicken | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at On The Border
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Classic Nachos (Chicken) | 28.0g |
| Grande Taco Salad (Chicken, fried shell) | 24.0g |
| Signature Queso | 23.5g |
| Smothered Beef Burrito | 22.0g |
| Classic Chicken Burrito | 20.0g |
Frequently asked
Does On The Border use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, On The Border cooks with: Soybean/corn blend (frying); canola (grill/sauté); dairy (queso, sour cream). Across the 95 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does On The Border cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean/corn blend (frying); canola (grill/sauté); dairy (queso, sour cream). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does On The Border use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates On The Border cooks with Soybean/corn blend (frying); canola (grill/sauté); dairy (queso, sour cream), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is On The Border seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates On The Border cooks with Soybean/corn blend (frying); canola (grill/sauté); dairy (queso, sour cream), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at On The Border?
Pico de Gallo is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at On The Border, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at On The Border?
Classic Nachos (Chicken) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at On The Border, at an estimated 28.0g 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 On The Border 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.