Tim Hortons Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Tim Hortons cooks with: Donuts and Timbits fried in palm/modified-palm shortening (low PUFA); soybean/canola oil in muffins, wraps, potato sides, and crispy chicken.. Across the 41 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at Tim Hortons
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: Plain Bagel + Nothing else + Nothing else, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Plain Bagel | 1.0g |
| Iced Capp (Medium) | 2.0g |
| Creamy Chocolate Chill (Medium) | 2.0g |
| Bagel with Cream Cheese | 2.0g |
| Bacon & Egg Sandwich | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Tim Hortons
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | 9.0g |
| Chocolate Chip Muffin | 8.0g |
| Farmer's Breakfast Wrap | 8.0g |
| Sausage Breakfast Biscuit | 7.0g |
| Chipotle Chicken Wrap | 7.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Tim Hortons use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Tim Hortons cooks with: Donuts and Timbits fried in palm/modified-palm shortening (low PUFA); soybean/canola oil in muffins, wraps, potato sides, and crispy chicken.. Across the 41 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.1g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Tim Hortons cook with?
Our research indicates: Donuts and Timbits fried in palm/modified-palm shortening (low PUFA); soybean/canola oil in muffins, wraps, potato sides, and crispy chicken.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Tim Hortons use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Tim Hortons cooks with Donuts and Timbits fried in palm/modified-palm shortening (low PUFA); soybean/canola oil in muffins, wraps, potato sides, and crispy chicken., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Tim Hortons seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Tim Hortons cooks with Donuts and Timbits fried in palm/modified-palm shortening (low PUFA); soybean/canola oil in muffins, wraps, potato sides, and crispy chicken., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Tim Hortons?
Plain Bagel is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tim Hortons, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Tim Hortons?
Crispy Chicken Sandwich is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tim Hortons, at an estimated 9.0g 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 Tim Hortons 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.