Shake Shack Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Shake Shack cooks with: Soybean oil for crinkle fries and all fried chicken; ShackSauce is a soybean-oil mayo. Burgers are griddled beef (low PUFA) but most come with ShackSauce.. Across the 60 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Shake Shack
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: Vanilla Custard Cup + Bottled Water, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Vanilla Custard Cup | 1.0g |
| Chocolate Custard Cup | 1.0g |
| Cheeseburger | 2.0g |
| Hamburger | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at Shake Shack
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Double SmokeShack | 16.0g |
| SmokeShack (double) | 16.0g |
| Hot Chicken Shack | 14.0g |
| Bacon Cheese Fries | 14.0g |
| Double ShackBurger | 13.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Shake Shack use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Shake Shack cooks with: Soybean oil for crinkle fries and all fried chicken; ShackSauce is a soybean-oil mayo. Burgers are griddled beef (low PUFA) but most come with ShackSauce.. Across the 60 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Shake Shack cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean oil for crinkle fries and all fried chicken; ShackSauce is a soybean-oil mayo. Burgers are griddled beef (low PUFA) but most come with ShackSauce.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Shake Shack use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Shake Shack cooks with Soybean oil for crinkle fries and all fried chicken; ShackSauce is a soybean-oil mayo. Burgers are griddled beef (low PUFA) but most come with ShackSauce., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Shake Shack seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Shake Shack cooks with Soybean oil for crinkle fries and all fried chicken; ShackSauce is a soybean-oil mayo. Burgers are griddled beef (low PUFA) but most come with ShackSauce., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Shake Shack?
Vanilla Custard Cup is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Shake Shack, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Shake Shack?
Double SmokeShack is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Shake Shack, at an estimated 16.0g 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
McDonald's · Burger King · Wendy's · Five Guys · In-N-Out · Whataburger
See where Shake Shack 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.