Steak 'n Shake Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Steak 'n Shake cooks with: Beef tallow for fries, tots, onion rings AND chicken tenders (100% beef tallow, no additives, preservatives or chemicals, per steaknshake.com/seed-oils); the supplier par-fry step for fries and tots was also switched off vegetable oil, so those two are fully seed-oil free; buns and some sauces still contain seed oils per the chain's own statement. Across the 74 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Steak 'n Shake already cooks in real fats
No ask needed here. Reward them with your business, and see who else made the switch on Tallow Watch.
Safest Orders at Steak 'n Shake
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: Double Steakburger + Applesauce + Soft drink, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Double Steakburger | 2.0g |
| Bacon Double Steakburger | 3.0g |
| Buttermilk Pancakes | 3.0g |
| Breakfast Skillet (sausage or bacon) | 4.0g |
| Patty Melt | 4.0g |
What to Avoid at Steak 'n Shake
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| #3 Frisco Melt | 18.0g |
| #6 Western BBQ 'n Bacon Steakburger | 17.1g |
| Onion Rings (Large) | 16.4g |
| #5 Garlic Double Steakburger | 15.1g |
| Triple Steakburger w/ Cheese | 13.5g |
Every Steak 'n Shake item, ranked
All 74 items we have for Steak 'n Shake, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Applesauce | 0.0g |
| BBQ Sauce | 0.0g |
| Kids' Shake | 0.5g |
| Kids' Fries | 0.7g |
| Root Beer Float | 1.0g |
| Garden Side Salad (no dressing) | 1.0g |
| Hand-Dipped Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Cotton Candy Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Vanilla Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Strawberry Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Banana Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Chocolate Milkshake | 1.3g |
| Tater Tots (Small) | 1.3g |
| Oreo Cookies 'n Cream Milkshake | 1.5g |
| Mint Oreo Milkshake | 1.5g |
| M&M's Milkshake | 1.6g |
| Butterfinger Milkshake | 1.6g |
| Kit Kat Milkshake | 1.7g |
| Famous Fries (regular) | 1.8g |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake | 2.0g |
| Chicken Fingers Meal (4 pc with fries) | 2.0g |
| Kids' Steakburger Meal | 2.0g |
| Hot Fudge Sundae | 2.0g |
| Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (seasonal) | 2.0g |
| Bacon Cheese Fries | 2.0g |
| Double Steakburger | 2.0g |
| Kids' Cheeseburger Meal | 2.0g |
| Buffalo Sauce | 2.0g |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Milkshake | 2.6g |
| Tater Tots (Large) | 2.7g |
| Kids' Chicken Fingers Meal (2 pc) | 3.0g |
| #8 Butter Single Steakburger | 3.0g |
| Bacon Double Steakburger | 3.0g |
| Buttermilk Pancakes | 3.0g |
| Nutella Milkshake | 3.3g |
| Birthday Cake Milkshake | 3.6g |
| Famous Fries (Large) | 3.7g |
| Cheese Fries (Small) | 3.8g |
| Breakfast Skillet (sausage or bacon) | 4.0g |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | 4.0g |
| Patty Melt | 4.0g |
| Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | 4.0g |
| Chili (cup) | 4.2g |
| Chili Mac | 4.3g |
| 7x7 Steakburger | 5.0g |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | 5.0g |
| #2 Original Single Steakburger w/ Cheese | 5.2g |
| Frisco Sauce | 5.5g |
| Butter Double Steakburger | 5.6g |
| Chili Cheese Fries (Small) | 5.7g |
| Single Steakburger | 5.8g |
| Cheese Fries (Regular) | 6.2g |
| Honey Mustard Sauce | 6.5g |
| Chili (bowl) | 6.8g |
| Chicago Dog | 7.0g |
| Classic Footlong Hot Dog | 7.0g |
| Cheese Fries (Large) | 7.0g |
| Brownie | 7.7g |
| Chili Cheese Footlong Hot Dog | 8.0g |
| Bacon Lettuce 'n Tomato Sandwich | 8.0g |
| Onion Rings (Regular) | 8.2g |
| Chili Cheese Fries (Regular) | 8.4g |
| #1 Original Double Steakburger with Cheese | 8.7g |
| Ranch Sauce | 9.0g |
| 3 PC Chicken Fingers | 9.1g |
| #4 Bacon 'n Cheese Double Steakburger | 10.6g |
| Chili Cheese Fries (Large) | 10.9g |
| Triple Steakburger | 11.5g |
| Reese's Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake | 11.7g |
| Triple Steakburger w/ Cheese | 13.5g |
| #5 Garlic Double Steakburger | 15.1g |
| Onion Rings (Large) | 16.4g |
| #6 Western BBQ 'n Bacon Steakburger | 17.1g |
| #3 Frisco Melt | 18.0g |
Fry Oil History at Steak 'n Shake
Cooking in 100% beef tallow since March 2025.
On March 16, 2026 the chain launched tots fried in 100% beef tallow and pointed out that tots were made that way when they were invented in the 1950s. Source
In October 2025 the chain posted that fries with even a trace of seed oil would no longer be served. That closed out the supplier side of the change that started back in January. Source
The old buttery blend had seed oils in it. The chain posted in March 2025 that starting April 2 every restaurant would use 100% Grade A Wisconsin butter instead. Source
The chain announced on February 24 that some stores were already running tallow, and by March 1, 2025 all of its restaurants had made the change. It also worked with its supplier to drop the vegetable oil used to par fry the fries before shipping. Source
The chain put out a press release on January 16, 2025 saying every location would fry its shoestring fries in 100% all natural beef tallow instead of vegetable oil by the end of February. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
Frequently asked
Does Steak 'n Shake use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Steak 'n Shake cooks with: Beef tallow for fries, tots, onion rings AND chicken tenders (100% beef tallow, no additives, preservatives or chemicals, per steaknshake.com/seed-oils); the supplier par-fry step for fries and tots was also switched off vegetable oil, so those two are fully seed-oil free; buns and some sauces still contain seed oils per the chain's own statement. Across the 74 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Steak 'n Shake cook with?
Our research indicates: Beef tallow for fries, tots, onion rings AND chicken tenders (100% beef tallow, no additives, preservatives or chemicals, per steaknshake.com/seed-oils); the supplier par-fry step for fries and tots was also switched off vegetable oil, so those two are fully seed-oil free; buns and some sauces still contain seed oils per the chain's own statement. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Steak 'n Shake use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: Beef tallow for fries, tots, onion rings AND chicken tenders (100% beef tallow, no additives, preservatives or chemicals, per steaknshake.com/seed-oils); the supplier par-fry step for fries and tots was also switched off vegetable oil, so those two are fully seed-oil free; buns and some sauces still contain seed oils per the chain's own statement. Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is Steak 'n Shake seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Steak 'n Shake cooks with Beef tallow for fries, tots, onion rings AND chicken tenders (100% beef tallow, no additives, preservatives or chemicals, per steaknshake.com/seed-oils); the supplier par-fry step for fries and tots was also switched off vegetable oil, so those two are fully seed-oil free; buns and some sauces still contain seed oils per the chain's own statement, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Steak 'n Shake?
Double Steakburger is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Steak 'n Shake, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Steak 'n Shake?
#3 Frisco Melt is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Steak 'n Shake, at an estimated 18.0g 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. New to the topic? Start with what seed oils are and the complete list, or read the evidence on why people avoid them.
Compare other chains
McDonald's · Burger King · Wendy's · Five Guys · Whataburger · Culver's
See where Steak 'n Shake 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.