Zaxby's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Zaxby's cooks with: soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72. Across the 83 menu items we analyzed, it averages 10.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
Safest Orders at Zaxby'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: Garden Zalad + Bottled Water, 4.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Garden Zalad | 4.0g |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 5.0g |
| Single Nibbler | 6.0g |
| Spicy Mushrooms | 9.0g |
| Veggie Egg Rolls | 9.0g |
What to Avoid at Zaxby's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| 10 Piece Chicken Fingerz Box | 45.0g |
| 5 Piece Chicken Fingerz Meal | 34.0g |
| Chicken Finger Plate | 30.0g |
| 10 Piece Traditional Wings | 28.0g |
| Boneless Wings Meal (10 Piece) | 28.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Zaxby's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Zaxby's cooks with: soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72. Across the 83 menu items we analyzed, it averages 10.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does Zaxby's cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Zaxby's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Zaxby's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Zaxby's?
Garden Zalad is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Zaxby's, at an estimated 4.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Zaxby's?
10 Piece Chicken Fingerz Box is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Zaxby's, at an estimated 45.0g 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 Zaxby'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.