What oil does Captain D's fry in?
Captain D's fries in beef tallow.
In detail: Beef tallow for frying ("Beef Tallow is used for frying our products", official July 2026 nutrition/allergen PDF) - covers the battered and breaded fish, shrimp, chicken and sides; grilled fish/shrimp plates remain the leanest picks.
Source: Captain D's Nutrition and Allergen Chart, July 20, 2026. Beef Tallow is used for frying our products.
Ordering at Captain D's? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderCaptain D's at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Beef tallow |
| Seed oils | No |
| Beef tallow | Yes |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (4.6 g average per item, 131 items) |
| Last checked | July 20, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Beef tallow: No |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Captain D'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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Grilled White Fish | 1.0g |
| Butterfly Shrimp (6 pieces) | 1.5g |
| Old Bay Grilled White Fish | 1.5g |
| Wild Alaskan Salmon (grilled) | 2.0g |
| Popcorn Shrimp | 2.1g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Captain D's order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhy the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Captain D's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Captain D's fry in?
Captain D's fries in beef tallow. In detail: Beef tallow for frying ("Beef Tallow is used for frying our products", official July 2026 nutrition/allergen PDF) - covers the battered and breaded fish, shrimp, chicken and sides; grilled fish/shrimp plates remain the leanest picks.
Does Captain D's use seed oils?
Not in the fryer: Captain D's fries in beef tallow. Check the grams for each item.
Does Captain D's use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Captain D's fries in beef tallow.
Does Captain D's use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Captain D's fries in beef tallow. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Captain D's?
Wild Alaskan Salmon (grilled) (2.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Fried Chicken Strips (3.0 g) and Fish Sandwich (6.0 g).
Which Captain D's item has the most seed oil?
Seafood Feast, at about 63.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.